Quick answer: Cleaners in Montana typically bill $40–$55 per hour (2025). The median cleaner earns $17.84/hr ($37,110/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 Montana compares to other states.
Cleaner income in Montana (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Montana's ~8,320 janitors, and cleaners:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $13.76 | ~$2,385 | ~$28,621 |
| Median (typical) | $17.84 | ~$3,092 | $37,110 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $23.29 | ~$4,037 | ~$48,443 |
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) | ~$18/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $40–$55/hr |
Where Montana ranks
Montana pays cleaners right at the national median, ranking 20th of 51 states — in the upper tier nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Massachusetts | $21.91 |
| Montana (20th) | $17.84 |
| National median | $17.71 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $13.64 |
Cleaner rates by Montana metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median cleaner wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $19.95/hr | $45–$60/hr |
| Missoula | $18.14/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Billings | $18.05/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Helena | $17.79/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $17.56/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $17.31/hr | $40–$50/hr |
| East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $17.27/hr | $40–$50/hr |
Bozeman is one of the higher-paying metros in the state for cleaners, reflecting local demand and cost of living.
What common cleaning jobs cost in Montana
At Montana billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Montana range |
|---|---|
| Standard house cleaning (per visit) | $100–$250 |
| Deep cleaning | $200–$500 |
| Move-in / move-out clean | $250–$600 |
| Office cleaning (per visit) | $100–$400 |
| Carpet cleaning | $100–$350 |
| Window cleaning | $150–$400 |
| Post-construction cleanup | $300–$1,000 |
| Recurring weekly service | $75–$200 |
| Apartment cleaning | $75–$200 |
| Airbnb turnover clean | $100–$250 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How cleaners compare to other trades in Montana
Here's how cleaner pay lines up against Montana's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Roofer | $28.38/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Painter | $28.03/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Handyman | $22.54/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Landscaper | $21.80/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Cleaner | $17.84/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 Montana?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Montana contractor & trade licensing to check whether cleaners need a state license in Montana, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do cleaners charge per hour in Montana?
In 2025, most Montana cleaners bill $40–$55 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $18/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average cleaner salary in Montana?
The median cleaner in Montana earns about $37,110 a year ($17.84/hr). Entry-level cleaners earn around $29,000 and the most experienced earn $48,000 or more.
Do cleaners earn more in Montana than nationally?
Montana pays cleaners right about the national median of $17.71/hr, ranking 20th of 51 states.
Which Montana city pays cleaners the most?
Bozeman, at a $19.95/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.