Raphael Bohne
Research expert covering professional services
Commercial cleaning services industry in the U.S. - statistics & facts
The commercial cleaning services industry in the United States has continued to maintain a large market share whilst employing a significant portion of the American population. Commercial cleaning can provide a healthier environment in the workplace for employees and visitors, whilst a clean environment can also make a good impression on customers and clients - something that can help maintain a positive business reputation. In 2023, the number of employees in cleaning occupations in the United States topped three million. Janitors and cleaners (not including maids and housekeeping cleaners) made up the largest share of employees in this industry. In the context of annual wages of employees in cleaning occupations the United States, this group were the third-highest earners. The industry with the highest level of employment of janitors and cleaners in the United States was services to buildings and dwellings, followed by elementary and secondary schools.
As businesses recognize the importance of cleanliness for health and customer impressions, the demand for professional cleaning services is expected to keep growing. Overall, these services will continue to play a key role in supporting business operations and public health.
Outsourcing or in-house?
Across North America, the provision of janitorial and cleaning services predominantly occurs in-house. In a 2024 survey of facility managers, the outsourcing of cleaning/maintenance services among facility managers was somewhat rare. The majority of respondents stated that outsourcing was not an option, with only eight percent who stated they currently outsource all of their cleaning and maintenance. It was most common for organizations who require facility management to employ less than ten full-time equivalent employees in their cleaning/maintenance department. In total, roughly 60 percent of relevant organizations employed less than 50 full-time equivalent employees for cleaning and maintenance and approximately 70 percent had 20 or less facilities maintained.Leading providers
Of the outsourced cleaning service providers in the United States, the number of establishments franchised by Jan-Pro was the highest. In 2022, the Georgia-based company reported that they franchised almost 8.500 cleaning establishments in the United States. The system-wide sales of Jani-King was the highest, with the company generating 935 million U.S. dollars in 2022. Founded by a university student in Oklahoma in 1969, the number of establishments franchised by Jani-King reached almost 5,000 in 2022.As businesses recognize the importance of cleanliness for health and customer impressions, the demand for professional cleaning services is expected to keep growing. Overall, these services will continue to play a key role in supporting business operations and public health.
