First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
SOC code 37-1011 · O*NET-SOC 37-1011.00 · Little to some preparation needed
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$49,100
a year
Hourly
$23.61
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$53,320
$25.64 per hour
Middle 50%
$40,100 – $62,600
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$35,520 – $76,430
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
178,760
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $35,520
- $17.08/hr
- 25th percentile
- $40,100
- $19.28/hr
- Median percentile
- $49,100
- $23.61/hr
- 75th percentile
- $62,600
- $30.10/hr
- 90th percentile
- $76,430
- $36.75/hr
What do first-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers do?
Directly supervise and coordinate work activities of cleaning personnel in hotels, hospitals, offices, and other establishments.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Supervise in-house services, such as laundries, maintenance and repair, dry cleaning, or valet services.
- Select the most suitable cleaning materials for different types of linens, furniture, flooring, and surfaces.
- Advise managers, desk clerks, or admitting personnel of rooms ready for occupancy.
- Inspect work performed to ensure that it meets specifications and established standards.
- Perform or assist with cleaning duties as necessary.
- Plan and prepare employee work schedules.
- Establish and implement operational standards and procedures for the departments supervised.
- Inspect and evaluate the physical condition of facilities to determine the type of work required.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 43% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)43%
- Some College Courses19%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree14%
- Bachelor's Degree12%
Common questions
How much does a first-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers earn?
The national median is $49,100 a year. The full range runs from $35,520 at the 10th percentile to $76,430 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a first-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking3.3/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Learning Strategies3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.7/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.3/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.2/5
- Administrative3.1/5
- Production and Processing2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Management of Personnel Resources, Coordination, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Instructing.