Quick answer: Cleaners in Maine typically bill $40–$55 per hour (2025). The median cleaner earns $18.72/hr ($38,940/year) per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — a cleaning business charges roughly 2–3× that to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what cleaners earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Maine compares to other states.
Cleaner income in Maine (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Maine's ~9,180 janitors, and cleaners:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $16.60 | ~$2,877 | ~$34,528 |
| Median (typical) | $18.72 | ~$3,245 | $38,940 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $23.73 | ~$4,113 | ~$49,358 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a cleaner takes home. What a cleaning business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median cleaner wage (earned) | ~$19/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $40–$55/hr |
Where Maine ranks
Maine pays cleaners 6% above the national median, ranking 10th of 51 states — among the highest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Massachusetts | $21.91 |
| Maine (10th) | $18.72 |
| National median | $17.71 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $13.64 |
Cleaner rates by Maine metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median cleaner wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | $19.45/hr | $45–$60/hr |
| Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $18.74/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | $18.59/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Lewiston-Auburn | $18.39/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Bangor | $17.83/hr | $40–$55/hr |
What common cleaning jobs cost in Maine
At Maine billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Maine range |
|---|---|
| Standard house cleaning (per visit) | $100–$275 |
| Deep cleaning | $200–$525 |
| Move-in / move-out clean | $275–$625 |
| Office cleaning (per visit) | $100–$425 |
| Carpet cleaning | $100–$375 |
| Window cleaning | $150–$425 |
| Post-construction cleanup | $325–$1,050 |
| Recurring weekly service | $75–$200 |
| Apartment cleaning | $75–$200 |
| Airbnb turnover clean | $100–$275 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How cleaners compare to other trades in Maine
Here's how cleaner pay lines up against Maine's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Painter | $28.50/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Roofer | $24.10/hr | $55–$70/hr |
| Handyman | $23.76/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Landscaper | $22.10/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Cleaner | $18.72/hr | $40–$55/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free cleaner estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do cleaners need a license in Maine?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Maine contractor & trade licensing to check whether cleaners need a state license in Maine, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do cleaners charge per hour in Maine?
In 2025, most Maine cleaners bill $40–$55 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $19/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average cleaner salary in Maine?
The median cleaner in Maine earns about $38,940 a year ($18.72/hr). Entry-level cleaners earn around $35,000 and the most experienced earn $49,000 or more.
Do cleaners earn more in Maine than nationally?
Yes — Maine's median cleaner wage is about 6% above the national median of $17.71/hr, ranking 10th of 51 states.
Which Maine city pays cleaners the most?
Portland-South Portland, at a $19.45/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes.