How Much Do Cleaners Earn?
Annual salaries and hourly wages
Official guidance from the National Careers Service suggests that cleaners in the UK earn between £19,000 a year as starters and £25,000 for experienced workers. These figures are based on a 34–42‑hour working week and cover a range of settings from schools and offices to hotels and hospitals. Translating those annual salaries into hourly pay yields roughly £10–£14 per hour.
Salary surveys reveal a similar picture. Data collected by PayScale from cleaners working in London report an average hourly wage of £11.92 in 2025, with most cleaners earning between £9 and £15 per hour. The 10th percentile earns around £8.61, while the 90th percentile reaches £15.07. Another compensation database, ERI, puts the average salary for a cleaner/housekeeper in London at £34,047 per year (about £16 per hour) and notes a typical range between £26,250 and £39,222. These higher figures reflect roles that may include supervisory duties, specialist cleaning or longer hours.
London Living Wage vs. National Minimum Wage
It’s important to distinguish between the statutory National Living Wage and the voluntary London Living Wage. As of 2025, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £11.44 per hour. The London Living Wage – calculated independently to reflect the capital’s higher cost of living – is £13.85 per hour. Ethical cleaning companies use the latter as a baseline for pay, while some self‑employed cleaners set their rates higher to account for travel, equipment and insurance costs.
What Affects a Cleaner’s Earnings?
Several factors can push a cleaner’s earnings above or below the averages:
Employment type: Cleaners employed by large agencies or facilities management companies may receive a lower hourly wage than the rate charged to clients because the company must cover National Insurance, holiday pay, sick pay and overheads. Self‑employed cleaners or those working for smaller agencies often keep a larger share of the fee but have to budget for periods with no work, supply their own products and arrange insurance.
Location and travel time: Travelling into central London can be costly due to congestion charges and parking fees. Cleaners who work mainly in Zones 1–2 may set higher rates or be paid more to compensate for the commute. Jobs in outer boroughs might pay slightly less but offer longer visits that reduce travel inefficiencies.
Experience and specialisation: Cleaners with specialist skills – for example, in carpet shampooing, oven cleaning or infection‑control cleaning – command higher wages. Supervisory roles or those that involve managing a team also pay more.
Hours and flexibility: Working evenings, early mornings or weekends can attract premium rates, especially for commercial contracts that need cleaning outside of office hours. Full‑time cleaners may earn more in total but receive a lower hourly rate than part‑timers who cover less convenient shifts.
Benefits and job security: Some large organisations offer cleaners benefits such as pensions or paid holidays, which add value beyond the hourly rate. Casual or gig‑economy work often pays more per hour but offers no security or benefits.
Do Clients’ Rates Match Cleaner Earnings?
Customers booking domestic cleaning services in London typically pay £14 to £24 per hour for regular weekly or fortnightly visits. However, not all of this makes its way into the cleaner’s pocket. A significant portion goes toward employer costs (National Insurance, pensions, holiday pay), management overheads, cleaning products, insurance and cover for travel time between jobs. When the dust settles, an employed cleaner might take home around £11–£14 per hour, while a self‑employed cleaner who brings their own equipment could earn more but will absorb their own expenses.
Supporting Fair Pay
Cleaning is essential work – it protects public health, keeps businesses running smoothly and enables busy families to enjoy their homes. Yet the sector often struggles with recruitment and retention because wages don’t always keep pace with the cost of living. Paying a fair rate makes it more likely that cleaners will receive at least the London Living Wage and that reputable employers can offer stable employment, training and career progression.
Companies such as Facility Cleaners commit to paying their staff at or above the London Living Wage and build travel time and overheads into transparent pricing. When you book a cleaner through an ethical agency, you’re not only buying a service but also helping to ensure that the person who scrubs your oven or vacuums your hall can afford to live in the city they serve.
Final Thoughts
Cleaner earnings in London vary widely, from around £9 per hour for entry‑level roles to over £15 for experienced or specialist cleaners. Annual salaries generally fall between £19,000 and £25,000, though some full‑time housekeepers and supervisory cleaners earn upwards of £34,000. If you’re considering hiring a cleaner, remember that the rate you pay covers more than just labour – and if you’re thinking of becoming a cleaner, be aware of the factors that influence your potential earnings. Fair pay benefits everyone: it sustains a vital workforce, improves service quality and ensures that London’s homes and workplaces stay healthy and hygienic.
Ready to start cleaning professionally? Facility Cleaners is looking for conscientious, hard‑working people to join its team. The company pays at or above the London Living Wage and provides support with travel, insurance and equipment. To apply, visit https://facilitycleaners.co.uk/cleaner-signup and take the first step toward a rewarding role.