Quick answer: The median cleaner in Tennessee earns $16.08/hr — about $33,440 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $46,000+. To hire one, a cleaning business typically bills $35–$50 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, 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 Tennessee compares to other states.
Cleaner income in Tennessee (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Tennessee's ~38,120 janitors, and cleaners:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $12.85 | ~$2,227 | ~$26,728 |
| Median (typical) | $16.08 | ~$2,787 | $33,440 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $21.96 | ~$3,806 | ~$45,677 |
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) | ~$16/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $35–$50/hr |
Where Tennessee ranks
Tennessee pays cleaners 9% below the national median, ranking 41st of 51 states — among the lowest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Massachusetts | $21.91 |
| Tennessee (41st) | $16.08 |
| National median | $17.71 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $13.64 |
Cleaner rates by Tennessee metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median cleaner wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $17.37/hr | $40–$50/hr |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $15.66/hr | $35–$45/hr |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $15.27/hr | $35–$45/hr |
| Knoxville | $15.00/hr | $35–$45/hr |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $14.94/hr | $35–$45/hr |
| East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $14.94/hr | $35–$45/hr |
| West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $14.80/hr | $35–$45/hr |
What common cleaning jobs cost in Tennessee
At Tennessee billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Tennessee range |
|---|---|
| Standard house cleaning (per visit) | $100–$225 |
| Deep cleaning | $175–$450 |
| Move-in / move-out clean | $225–$550 |
| Office cleaning (per visit) | $100–$375 |
| Carpet cleaning | $100–$325 |
| Window cleaning | $125–$375 |
| Post-construction cleanup | $275–$900 |
| Recurring weekly service | $75–$175 |
| Apartment cleaning | $75–$175 |
| Airbnb turnover clean | $75–$225 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How cleaners compare to other trades in Tennessee
Here's how cleaner pay lines up against Tennessee's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Handyman | $22.71/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Roofer | $21.97/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Painter | $20.78/hr | $45–$60/hr |
| Landscaper | $17.80/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Cleaner | $16.08/hr | $35–$50/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 Tennessee?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Tennessee contractor & trade licensing to check whether cleaners need a state license in Tennessee, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do cleaners make in Tennessee?
The median cleaner in Tennessee earns about $33,440 a year ($16.08/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level cleaners earn around $27,000 and the most experienced earn $46,000 or more.
Can a cleaner make $100,000 a year in Tennessee?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of cleaners in Tennessee earn about $46,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own cleaning business and billing $35–$50/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do cleaners charge per hour in Tennessee?
In 2025, most Tennessee cleaners bill $35–$50 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $16/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do cleaners earn more in Tennessee than nationally?
Tennessee's median cleaner wage is about 9% below the national median of $17.71/hr, ranking 41st of 51 states.
Which Tennessee city pays cleaners the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, at a $17.37/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for cleaners.
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. Updated August 2026.