Janitorial Services

The 63,000 janitorial service providers in the US clean building interiors, windows, and the interiors of transportation equipment, such as aircrafts. Specialized services include disaster recovery, medical cleaning, and mold clean up. Some companies provide outdoor services, such as snow removal and lawn maintenance. Non-residential customers, such as those in institutional, office, and commercial buildings, account for 80% of industry revenue.

Immigration Laws

Most janitorial jobs do not require workers with English-speaking skills, and tend to attract both legal and undocumented immigrants.

Green Cleaning

Growing concern with the environment and sustainability issues has led to increased demand for the use of eco-friendly cleaning products and methods.

Aug 17, 2026 - CDC Reports Sharp Drop in Hospital Infections

• Declining healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) highlight the growing value of professional cleaning and environmental services in healthcare facilities, according to a CleanLink report. CDC data show patients in 2023 were 27% less likely to experience an HAI than in 2015, reflecting stronger infection-control practices, including improved cleaning protocols and compliance by EVS staff. For the US janitorial services industry, the trend reinforces demand for specialized healthcare cleaning, high-touch surface disinfection, hand-hygiene support, and technologies such as UV-C systems. Case studies cited by CleanLink show that more rigorous cleaning can materially improve cleanliness scores, reduce infections, and lower healthcare costs. The outlook is favorable for janitorial providers that can demonstrate measurable infection-prevention outcomes, maintain regulatory compliance, and invest in advanced disinfection methods, particularly in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
• Healthcare cleaning is becoming more outcomes-focused, raising expectations for US janitorial and environmental services providers, according to a CleanLink poll. The poll found 38% of commercial cleaning professionals say clients are shifting from a “perception of clean” to “proof of clean.” In healthcare settings, that means stronger emphasis on documented disinfection, infection-prevention protocols, cleaning audits, and consistent handling of shared equipment. For janitorial providers, this creates opportunities to differentiate through measurable quality assurance, recurring staff training, compliance tracking, and audit-based service programs. However, high employee turnover and understaffing can undermine consistency, increasing infection risk and client dissatisfaction. The industry impact is a shift away from appearance-based cleaning toward verifiable safety and process control, favoring contractors with strong training, supervision, documentation, and healthcare-specific expertise.
• New cost pressures and shifting customer demand are reshaping the US janitorial services industry, according to an ISSA report on the June 2026 Altus Summit. Industry leaders at the summit said labor costs continue to squeeze margins, with wages rising 4.3% annually and labor accounting for 80% to 90% of operating expenses. Providers are also contending with a 9.7% year-over-year increase in producer prices for nonresidential cleaning, equipment tariff increases of 3% to 26%, supplies up 20%, and healthcare costs expected to rise 6.7%. At the same time, office downsizing continues to reduce cleaning demand, while healthcare facilities, growing 7.5%, present a key expansion opportunity. Companies are increasingly turning to technology to offset labor challenges, with 67 million square feet now cleaned by robots—a figure growing 22% annually—and AI emerging as a competitive tool for sales, operations, and customer service.
• Labor conditions remain challenging for US janitorial services providers, increasing pressure on recruitment, retention, and labor costs, according to a CleanLink report. The economy added just 57,000 jobs in June 2026, while unemployment held at 4.2%, signaling a relatively tight and low-momentum labor market. Retirements are also shrinking the available workforce, making frontline cleaning positions harder to fill. At the same time, inflation reached 4.2% in May, outpacing 3.5% wage growth, increasing financial pressure on employees and raising expectations for better pay and benefits. For janitorial companies, labor is likely to remain a key operating constraint and cost driver. Providers may need to budget for higher wages, scheduled minimum-wage increases, stronger benefits, and cost-of-living adjustments. Companies that improve hiring speed, employee engagement, and retention should be better positioned to control turnover costs and maintain service quality.

Industry size & Structure

The average janitorial services provider operates out of a single location, employs about 17 workers, and generates $1.2 million annually.

• The janitorial services industry consists of about 63,000 companies that employ over 1 million workers and generate about $73 billion annually.
• The industry is highly fragmented; the top 50 firms account for 32% of industry sales.
• The industry includes national and regional companies, franchises, and independent operators.
• Large companies include divisions of ABM, Authority Brands (The Cleaning Authority), Neighborly (Molly Maid), and ServiceMaster (Merry Maids).
• Non-residential customers, such as those in institutional, office, and commercial buildings, account for 80% of industry revenue.