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.

Sep 17, 2026 - Data Centers Boost Cleaning Demand

• Rapid data-center expansion is opening a specialized growth market for US janitorial services, with 4,998 US data centers operating as of August 2026, according to a CleanLink report. These facilities require cleaning methods that control dust and contamination without damaging sensitive electronics, creating demand for trained contractors, antistatic products, and tightly controlled cleaning protocols. The opportunity comes as 42% of building service contractors already report intentionally using AI in their operations, suggesting the industry is increasingly equipped to serve technology-intensive facilities. Data-center cleaning may require more specialized expertise than conventional office work because improper wipes or materials can cause electrostatic discharge and pose equipment risks. For janitorial firms, continued AI-driven data-center construction could diversify customer portfolios and create higher-value contracts, but success will require specialized training, products and strict quality controls.
• US janitorial services face a tougher profitability outlook as wage, chemical, and equipment costs rise faster than operators can easily pass them through to customers, according to a recent ISSA report. Because contracts are highly price-sensitive, cutting service quality or sharply raising prices risks client losses, putting more pressure on building service contractors to improve productivity. Labor-saving equipment can materially change unit economics: backpack vacuums can increase cleaning productivity from about 2,500 to 7,000 square feet per hour. Automated chemical-dilution systems, preventive maintenance, and multifunction equipment can also reduce supply waste, downtime, and capital costs. Looking ahead, IoT-based cleaning schedules could further improve margins by matching labor and chemical use to actual building traffic rather than fixed routines.
• 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.

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.