SOC 9223 Elementary administration and service occupations

Cleaners and domestics Salary

Median salary £11,852 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £12,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For cleaners and domestics, £24,130 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -38% versus the national average. Experienced cleaners and domestics (top 25%) earn over £18,884.

About this role

Cleaners and domestics maintain cleanliness and hygiene in buildings, facilities and environments. They carry out cleaning tasks using appropriate equipment, chemicals and methods, ensuring spaces meet health, safety and presentation standards.

Key responsibilities

Cleaning and maintaining designated areas to required standards
Using cleaning equipment, chemicals and methods safely
Replenishing supplies and reporting maintenance issues
Following health and safety and COSHH procedures
Working to schedules and adapting to changing priorities

Qualifications and entry routes

No formal qualifications are required, though training in COSHH, health and safety and specialist cleaning techniques is standard. BICSc qualifications are available for professional development.

Career outlook

Entry-level roles with opportunities for progression through experience, additional training and skills development. Apprenticeships offer structured routes into skilled occupations.

Key skills

Attention to detail Physical fitness Reliability Time management Safety awareness

Common industries

Facilities management
NHS
Hospitality
Education
Commercial offices

Data coverage

SOC code 9223

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 411,000

Median Salary

£11,852

Mean Salary

£13,640

Jobs (000s)

411k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £4kP25: £7kMedian: £12kP75: £19kP90: £26k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£4,127

0-2 years

Mid Level

£7,434

3-7 years

Senior

£18,884

8-15 years

Leadership

£25,537

15+ years

Potential career growth: +519% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +73.9%Real growth: +26.0%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 25.1%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£11,852

Full-time Only

£24,130

Full-time premium: +£12,278

Cleaners and domestics salary: common questions

How much do cleaners and domestics earn in the UK?

Cleaners and domestics earn a median of £24,130 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £7,434 and £18,884.

Is £24,130 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for cleaners and domestics?

Entry-level cleaners and domestics typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £7,434, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £4,127.

How much do the highest-paid cleaners and domestics earn?

The best-paid 10% of cleaners and domestics earn over £25,537 a year, and the top 25% over £18,884 (ONS ASHE 2025).

Have cleaners and domestics salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median cleaners and domestics pay has risen from £14,498 to £24,130 — +66% in cash terms, or +21% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for cleaners and domestics?

Male cleaners and domestics earn a median £15,074 and female cleaners and domestics £11,288 — a gap of +25% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).