San Diego is one of California’s most vibrant cities — known for its beaches, tourism, and high cost of living. Roles such as cleaners and housekeepers are essential in hospitality, residential services, and facility maintenance. Whether you’re considering a career in this field or evaluating compensation expectations, this 2026 salary guide provides real value with up-to-date figures, factors that influence pay, experience brackets, job trends, and comparisons with related cities.
Average Cleaner & Housekeeper Salary in San Diego, CA
The term cleaner/housekeeper can encompass various roles — from general home cleaning to more specialized housekeeping in hospitality and healthcare settings. Salaries reflect these differences.
Typical Salary Overview
| Job Title | Approx. Annual Salary (USD) | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| House Cleaner (Average) | ~$33,500 | ~$16/hr |
| Cleaner (General) | N/A annual | ~$21.16/hr |
| Housekeeper (Average) | N/A annual | ~$20.13/hr |
| Private Housekeeper | ~$34,878 | ~$17/hr |
| Live-In Housekeeper | ~$30,275 | ~$15/hr |
| Senior Healthcare Housekeeper | ~$48,776–$53,726 | Full-time role |
Note: Salaries vary widely based on employer type (private home, hotel, healthcare facility), experience, and responsibilities.
Salary Breakdown by Experience and Role
Different levels of experience and responsibilities can influence earnings:
Entry-Level Cleaners & Housekeepers
Basic cleaning tasks (vacuuming, dusting, bathrooms, kitchens)
Often employed by agencies or independently contracted
Typical hourly range: $15–$18/hr
Mid-Level Professionals
More responsibility: organizing, deep cleaning, supervising supplies
May work in hospitality or larger homes
Hourly range: $18–$22/hr
Senior / Specialized Housekeepers
Healthcare facility housekeeping or supervisory duties
May include training junior staff and managing safety practices
Annual salary can exceed $48,000–$53,000
Factors That Influence Cleaner & Housekeeper Pay
Several key elements determine how much cleaners and housekeepers earn:
1. Employer Type
Hospitality industry (hotels, resorts): Often guided by wage schedules and union contracts (e.g., hospitality worker minimum wage increases).
Healthcare settings: Typically higher wages due to facility standards and experience needs.
Private households: Pay can vary widely depending on client budgets.
2. Experience & Skill Level
Experience in deep cleaning, handling advanced equipment, customer interaction, scheduling, or team leadership generally results in higher compensation.
3. Job Responsibilities
Housekeepers with added duties like laundry, restocking supplies, hospitality standards, or facility protocols often earn more.
4. Location & Market Demand
San Diego’s high living costs and tourism industry increase demand for cleaning and housekeeping services, potentially boosting wages compared to smaller or less expensive cities.
Job Market Trends in San Diego
Growing Demand
San Diego’s tourism, hospitality, residential market, and healthcare sectors sustain steady demand for cleaning and housekeeping roles. As hotels, short-term rentals, and senior living facilities expand, so do job openings in these fields.
Minimum Wage Changes
The city of San Diego has approved phased increases in the minimum wage for hospitality workers to $25/hr over several years, which will positively affect housekeepers and related roles in larger establishments.
Career Stability
Cleaners and housekeepers often enjoy year-round employment, though hours may fluctuate in hospitality or seasonal home cleaning markets.
Benefits Beyond Base Pay
While wages are a primary focus, many employers offer:
Flexible schedules (part-time and full-time options)
Holiday and weekend premiums
Training programs for safety and equipment use
Bonuses or tips, especially in private household or service-scholar settings
Comparing San Diego Salaries with Other Cities
| City | Cleaner / Housekeeper Avg. Hourly Wage* |
|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | ~$20.00–$24.00/hr (varies by source) |
| Los Angeles, CA | ~$22.50/hr+ (regional trend) |
| San Jose, CA | ~$25.00/hr+ (higher market) |
| Anaheim, CA | ~$24.60/hr |
| California Avg (State) | ~$19–$20/hr |
*These figures represent typical hourly rates across cleaning and housekeeping roles and reflect broad patterns in Southern California.
Tips to Increase Your Cleaner / Housekeeper Earnings
If you’re seeking higher compensation or career growth:
Specialize in commercial or healthcare housekeeping
Develop customer service and time-management skills
Offer additional services (laundry, organization, deep cleaning)
Seek roles with benefits and steady hours
Negotiate pay based on experience and role responsibilities
Final Thoughts
Cleaner and housekeeper roles in San Diego, CA (2026) offer a stable career path with a range of earnings depending on experience, setting, and responsibilities. Hourly wages typically fall between $15 and $25/hr, with specialized or senior roles exceeding this range. San Diego’s thriving hospitality and residential sectors continue to support job opportunities — and ongoing minimum wage increases will likely uplift earnings for workers in the industry.