Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner. Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.
Also called: Bed Maker, Bunk House Worker, Butler, Cabin Cleaner, Chambermaid, Charwoman
Median pay
$35,510
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$27,640 – $48,570
People employed
860,670
Holland code
RCS
Realistic · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 2.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 5.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 6.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What maids and housekeeping cleaners do
- 01Keep storage areas and carts well-stocked, clean, and tidy.
- 02Carry linens, towels, toilet items, and cleaning supplies, using wheeled carts.
- 03Clean rooms, hallways, lobbies, lounges, restrooms, corridors, elevators, stairways, locker rooms, and other work areas so that health standards are met.
- 04Disinfect equipment and supplies, using germicides or steam-operated sterilizers.
- 05Empty wastebaskets, empty and clean ashtrays, and transport other trash and waste to disposal areas.
- 06Sweep, scrub, wax, or polish floors, using brooms, mops, or powered scrubbing and waxing machines.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Chemistry
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants86% · +2%
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers86% · −4%
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant83% · 0%
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers80% · −2%
- Fast Food and Counter Workers80% · −12%
Change into maids and housekeeping cleaners
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers83% · $33,980
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant83% · $35,360
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants80% · $36,300
- Orderlies79% · $38,290
- Bartenders77% · $34,340