Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers oversee teams that keep buildings and facilities clean, safe, and well maintained. With national employment of about 270,000 and a projected growth rate of 2.5%, this role offers a sizable employment base and modest expansion over time. The national median annual salary is $47,520, with higher median pay available in certain states and metro areas. Supervisors in this field combine leadership and project management with hands-on skills such as physical strength and stamina, mechanical ability, and fine motor skills. Interpersonal and customer service skills are also important, as the role involves coordinating people and service expectations. A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical education level, making this an accessible leadership pathway for individuals with relevant skills and experience. For those exploring alternatives, related careers include food service managers, occupational therapy aides, psychiatric aides, athletes and sports competitors, and entertainment and recreation managers (except gambling).
First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers earn a national median annual salary of $47,520. Pay levels vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington reports the highest listed median salary at $63,550, followed by California at $61,470, New York at $60,580, and Massachusetts at $59,760. Colorado shows a median salary of $55,100. At the metro level, several areas stand out with higher median pay: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports $70,400, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $69,080. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro shows a median salary of $59,990, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports $61,390 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV reports $50,840. These figures indicate that supervisors who are mobile and open to specific regions, especially certain California metros, may access higher earning potential than the national median.
First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers have a national employment level of about 270,000, indicating a large existing workforce. Projected employment growth is 2.5%, suggesting modest expansion rather than rapid contraction or rapid growth. Annual openings are estimated at 33,000, reflecting a mix of new positions and turnover needs. This volume of openings can provide ongoing opportunities for new entrants and for current workers seeking advancement into supervisory roles. The consistent use of a 2.5% growth rate across highlighted states and metro areas suggests a generally similar projected pace of change in the featured regions, rather than wide regional differences in growth. Overall, the combination of a substantial employment base, steady projected growth, and tens of thousands of annual openings supports the idea that candidates with the right skills and experience can find opportunities in various locations over time.
Location significantly shapes opportunities for first-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington all rank highly on the CareerGPS opportunity score. California stands out with a median salary of $61,470 and employment of 18,060, while Washington shows the highest listed state-level median salary at $63,550. New York and Massachusetts both combine relatively high median salaries (around $60,000) with thousands of employed supervisors, and Colorado also offers a solid combination of pay and employment. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores, both above 77, with median salaries of $69,080 and $59,990 respectively. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offers the highest listed metro median salary at $70,400. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV also provide notable opportunity scores with mid-to-upper $50,000–$60,000 median salaries, highlighting multiple strong urban markets.
The typical education requirement for first-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the role accessible to individuals who have completed secondary education and are ready to take on leadership responsibilities. Success in this occupation relies heavily on a blend of people-focused and practical skills. Key strengths include leadership and project management for organizing work and guiding teams, as well as interpersonal and customer service skills to interact effectively with workers and facility users. Physical strength and stamina, mechanical skills, fine motor abilities, and science knowledge support the more hands-on and technical aspects of the work environment. Adaptability and creativity and innovation are also important, helping supervisors respond to changing conditions and solve problems in day-to-day operations. Altogether, the role provides a pathway into supervision and coordination for those who combine a high school education with strong applied and interpersonal skills.
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