Cleaning Jobs In USA For Foreigners With Visa Sponsorship 2025/2026

The United States continues to draw workers from all over the world, standing as a global center of economic opportunity. Among the many available job alternatives, cleaning positions have garnered significant attention due to their accessibility, stability, and potential for growth.

The increasing number of visa sponsorship programs available in the cleaning industry now provides international workers with a clear method to find employment and establish themselves in the United States.

This article examines the advantages, typical wages, employment prospects, sponsorship and visa programs, and the necessary credentials for securing Cleaning Jobs in the USA for Foreigners with Visa Sponsorship.

The Growing Demand for Cleaning Professionals

Cleaning professionals are indispensable in the United States, supporting various industries including healthcare, hospitality, education, and residential services. The demand for expert cleaning has surged, driven by organizations prioritizing high standards of hygiene, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to this rising demand, numerous job openings have become available, often facilitated by visa sponsorship schemes. Workers in this sector can expect to earn a competitive wage. The average hourly pay ranges from $10.10 to $22.18, which translates to a monthly wage between $1,600 and $3,667 and an annual income between $23,591 and $51,786.

Key Benefits of Cleaning Jobs in the USA with Visa Sponsorship

Securing a sponsored cleaning position in the U.S. offers international workers several distinct advantages:

• Accessibility and Easy Entry: The cleaning industry typically prioritizes reliability, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn over extensive formal education.¹ This low barrier to entry makes it highly accessible to a wide range of foreign workers.
• Competitive Pay and Benefits: Many companies offer competitive wages alongside comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement programs. Although often considered entry-level, these positions pay well, especially in specialized sectors or major metropolitan areas. Salaries can vary by specialization:
  • Residential cleaning generally ranges from $25,000 to $35,000 per year.²
  • Commercial cleaning typically falls between $30,000 and $45,000 annually.
  • Specialized cleaning (e.g., medical facilities) often commands $40,000 to $60,000 per year.
• Job Stability and Consistent Demand: Cleaning occupations offer excellent job stability. Because businesses, homes, and healthcare facilities require constant maintenance, there is a steady, reliable need for janitorial professionals. This constant flow of opportunities ensures stability for sponsored international workers seeking to establish themselves in the U.S.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Cleaning roles frequently offer adaptable hours, which is ideal for individuals balancing multiple jobs or pursuing further education.³ Since many shifts occur in the evenings or overnight, employees can often choose a schedule that best fits their personal needs.
• Career Advancement Opportunities: Even starting at an entry level, the cleaning industry presents paths for professional growth.⁴ Skilled cleaners can move into supervisory roles, manage cleaning crews, or specialize in areas like facilities management or environmental services, providing long-term career growth.
• Cultural Integration and Networking: Working in the U.S. gives foreign employees a unique chance to fully immerse themselves in American culture and network. Cleaning teams often include local workers, allowing immigrants to refine their English language skills and engage in cultural exchange while earning a living.
• Visa Sponsorship as a Pathway: Programs like the H-2B visa enable employers to sponsor foreign staff, allowing them to work legally in the country for a set time.⁵ Depending on the employer’s support, this can provide job stability and the potential to extend work permits or transition toward permanent residency.
• Strict Health and Safety Standards: U.S. employers must comply with rigorous health and safety laws, ensuring cleaners receive proper training, tools, and protection. This adherence reduces the risk of injury and creates a safer work environment for all international employees.

Job Opportunities and Average Salary for Cleaning Jobs in the USA

Wages for cleaning jobs vary based on the position, location, and level of experience.⁶ The national average pay for general cleaning roles, such as janitorial or residential cleaning, is approximately $14.00 per hour, or about $29,120 per year. This figure can fluctuate based on the cleaner’s specific skills and the geographic area.

Major Levels in the Cleaning Profession:

• Entry-Level Cleaners: These positions involve general tasks like sweeping, mopping, and trash removal, and require minimal prior experience.⁷ Common in hospitality, commercial, and residential settings, wages generally start around $12.50 per hour or $26,000 annually.
• Experienced Professionals: Seasoned cleaners often handle specialized tasks such as floor waxing, carpet cleaning, or industrial cleaning. Experience in specific fields like healthcare or hospitality can lead to better pay, with earnings averaging around $16.50 per hour or $34,320 per year.
• Supervisors/Managers: These roles oversee cleaning crews, manage scheduling, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Requiring leadership abilities and years of experience, supervisors typically earn around $22.00 per hour or $45,760 annually.

Highest Paying States and Cities for Cleaning Jobs:

• California: Known for high wages, with salaries averaging around $35,000 per year.⁸ Cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, driven by demand in hospitality and commercial real estate, often offer the highest pay.⁹
• New York: Features a high concentration of hospitals, hotels, and office buildings requiring regular cleaning. Specialized jobs, like those in healthcare facilities, often pay more, with salaries around $34,500 per year.
• Washington: Areas like Seattle offer higher compensation, with an average salary of around $33,200 per year, due to strong demand for both commercial and residential cleaning services and high labor standards.
• Massachusetts: Especially in Boston, the state pays competitive salaries, averaging around $33,800 per year, for cleaning positions in colleges, hospitals, and office buildings.

Types of Cleaning Jobs Available for Foreign Workers

• Residential Cleaning: Tasks range from light housekeeping to deep cleaning. While often paying slightly less than commercial work, it offers more flexible scheduling and the potential for tips, with an annual wage typically around $28,500.
• Industrial Cleaning: Involves cleaning construction sites, warehouses, and factories. These jobs often require specialized training, such as hazardous material handling certifications, leading to higher pay, with annual wages around $35,200.
• Commercial Cleaning: Professionals in this field clean offices, schools, restaurants, and other business spaces.¹⁰ Duties include dusting, polishing, scrubbing, and wiping floors, fixtures, and equipment. They make about $34,218 a year on average.
• Hospitality Cleaning: Regular cleaning is necessary in resorts, hotels, and restaurants.¹¹ Staff frequently receive tips on top of their pay. Wages range around $32,000 annually and vary based on the location and prominence of the establishment.
• Healthcare Cleaning: Requires specialized training in sanitation and infection control for facilities like hospitals and assisted living centers. The high value placed on cleanliness in these environments results in better pay, with salaries averaging around $34,500 annually.

Visa Options for Cleaning Jobs

International workers can secure cleaning jobs with sponsorship under several visa types:

• H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker Visa: This is a standard option for cleaning work.¹² The program allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers for temporary or seasonal non-agricultural roles when domestic workers are unavailable. Key features include:
  • Maximum validity period of one year, with possible extensions.
  • Mandatory employer sponsorship.
  • Ideal for seasonal cleaning, such as in the tourism or hospitality sectors.¹³
• J-1 Visa: Primarily for cultural exchange, the J-1 visa offers work opportunities in allied industries like cleaning and hospitality. This visa often includes training programs and focuses on skill development.¹⁴
• TN Visa (for Canadian and Mexican Citizens): Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), citizens of Canada and Mexico may apply for a TN visa, which permits them to work in the U.S. for specified professions, including cleaning jobs in certain contexts.
• EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card: The EB-3 visa is an excellent choice for long-term residency.¹⁵ It can be utilized by unskilled personnel, including those in cleaning positions. Advantages include:
  • Achieving permanent residency in the U.S.
  • No restrictions on seasonal work.
  • Requires sponsorship from a U.S.-based company.

Skills and Qualifications Needed

To be eligible for sponsored cleaning jobs, candidates must meet specific requirements:

• Educational Background: While formal education is not mandatory for many entry-level positions, a high school diploma or equivalent is sometimes recommended. Candidates with vocational training in housekeeping or janitorial services may have a competitive edge.
• Physical Fitness: The job requires physical stamina, including the ability to stand or walk for long hours, perform repetitive actions, and lift heavy objects.¹⁶
• Work Experience: Prior experience in janitorial, housekeeping, or general cleaning is preferred. Certain roles may require familiarity with specialized equipment or cleaning methods, such as handling hazardous materials.
• Visa Eligibility: Candidates must be eligible for visa sponsorship, which is typically provided by an employer approved to sponsor foreign staff under the H-2B, EB-3, and J-1 visa categories.
• Language Proficiency: A foundational understanding of English is crucial for comprehending instructions, following workplace safety procedures, and communicating with managers or clients.¹⁷ Fluency in other languages may be advantageous depending on the employer’s clientele.
• Specialized Training or Certifications: Additional certifications may be necessary for roles in healthcare or industrial cleaning, such as Bloodborne Pathogens Training, Certification in the Use of Specialized Cleaning Equipment, and OSHA Compliance Training.
• Background Check: To ensure trustworthiness and reliability, employers commonly require a thorough background check covering criminal history and employment verification.¹⁸
• Attention to Detail: Employers highly value applicants with a keen eye for detail to ensure superior cleaning standards, particularly in high-stakes environments like medical facilities, food service, and hotels.
• Soft Skills: Essential abilities include dependability, timeliness, strong communication skills for dealing with clients and managers, and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Adaptability to Environment: Many cleaning tasks require working irregular hours, including late nights, early mornings, or weekends.¹⁹ Employees are often expected to operate effectively in diverse settings, from business offices and homes to hospitals.

How to Apply for Cleaning Jobs with Visa Sponsorship

1. Research Potential Employers and Job Portals: Begin by identifying U.S. companies and sectors—such as commercial buildings, medical facilities, lodging, and residential services—that employ cleaning staff. Search niche job boards like Jooble, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Indeed using terms like “Cleaning Jobs In USA For Foreigners With Visa Sponsorship.” Also check the career pages of specific cleaning and facilities management companies.
2. Verify Eligibility and Visa Sponsorship Policies: Carefully read job descriptions to confirm that the employer offers visa sponsorship and determine the specific visa type (e.g., EB-3 for permanent, H-2B for temporary, J-1 for exchange). Ensure you meet all requirements, including linguistic ability, physical fitness, experience, and necessary certificates.
3. Prepare a Professional Resume: Develop a CV tailored for cleaning positions. Highlight your specialized cleaning skills, professional history, and soft skills such as time management and detail orientation. Include any relevant certifications, such as occupational safety training.
4. Submit Your Application: Apply through the employer’s website or online job portals. Include your CV and a customized cover letter that highlights your qualifications and how your experience aligns with their needs. For sponsored roles, explicitly state your readiness to work under a visa program.
5. Attend Interviews: If selected, prepare by practicing answers to common cleaning job questions and demonstrating knowledge of industry standards. Be ready to present your passport, credentials, and verification of experience during the hiring process.

Top Companies Offering Sponsored Cleaning Jobs

These companies have a track record of offering sponsorship and are excellent places to check for current openings:

• ABM Industries: A major provider of integrated facility services, ABM offers janitorial and cleaning services across various sectors (healthcare, retail, education). ABM is known for its diverse workforce and frequently sponsors work visas, often under the H-2B program. Ideal candidates have commercial cleaning experience or specialized skills like industrial sanitation. To apply, search for visa sponsorship options on the official ABM Industries Careers
• The Budd Group: This regional company focuses on maintenance and cleaning services in the southeastern U.S., specializing in the education and healthcare sectors. They concentrate on sponsoring foreign workers under temporary visa schemes. Candidates with prior custodial service experience or expertise with professional cleaning equipment are preferred. Applications for open positions can be found at The Budd Group Careers.
• Jani-King International: A global leader in commercial cleaning, Jani-King provides jobs in hospitality, office, and healthcare sectors. Known for its franchise model, the company helps facilitate visa sponsorship in areas facing labor shortages. Candidates who specialize in carpet cleaning or have practical experience cleaning large commercial spaces have a distinct advantage. Visit Jani-King Careers for job openings with visa sponsorship.
• ServiceMaster Clean: A nationwide franchise specializing in commercial janitorial services, domestic cleaning, and restoration. The corporation occasionally sponsors qualified foreign workers under temporary work visas for high-demand locations. Applicants with a strong work ethic and basic English skills are encouraged to apply. Check ServiceMaster Careers for available positions.

Conclusion

With the availability of visa sponsorship programs, the path to a rewarding career in the cleaning industry in the U.S. has become increasingly viable.²¹ By utilizing the appropriate visa options and meeting the necessary requirements, prospective workers can build a positive life and career. Supported by competitive salaries, job stability, and opportunities for growth, Cleaning Jobs in the USA for Foreigners with Visa Sponsorship offer a viable and sustainable career path for international workers.