Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. in the UK earned a median £25,780 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 34% less than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
It is in the lowest-paid third of the 382 occupations (32nd from the bottom).
Median full-time pay: women £24,690 a year, men £25,962 a year.
Since 2021 the median has risen 33.2% (from £19,358), faster than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 14,000 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30th percentile | – | £488.90 | – | – | £469.50 | – |
| 40th percentile | £25,596 | £506.10 | £13.68 | £25,507 | £488.90 | £13.67 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £25,780 | £522.30 | £14.09 | £25,688 | £507.20 | £13.95 |
| 60th percentile | £26,362 | £531.10* | £14.26 | £26,284 | £530.20 | £14.24 |
| Mean | £27,243 | £552.30 | £14.19 | £26,800 | £522.30 | £14.16 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £19,358 | £376.60* | £9.89 | £19,140 | £369.50* |
| 2023 revised | £25,006* | £469.40 | £12.63 | £24,352* | £461.70 |
| 2024 revised | £25,902 | £480.50 | £13.35 | £25,082* | £469.90 |
| 2025 provisional | £25,780 | £522.30 | £14.09 | £25,688 | £507.20 |
Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. by region
UK: 14,000 (± 4,600), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c. do
Job holders in this unit group perform elementary cleansing service occupations not elsewhere classified in minor group 922: Elementary cleaning occupations. (ONS SOC 2020, 9229)
Also covers: amenity block attendant, bin cleaner, chimney sweep, toilet cleaner, amenity attendant, chimney cleaner, chimney sweeper, cleansing attendant, drain cleaner, environmental operative, flue cleaner, lavatory attendant, sanitary attendant, sanitary orderly, sweep (chimney), toilet attendant, attendant (public conveniences) and ladies' room attendant (20 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Selects appropriate brush head, pushes it through flue or chimney and collects soot and other dislodged deposits from flue or chimney with brush or vacuum equipment
- Cleans toilets, washrooms, rest rooms and other similar amenities
- Replenishes supplies of soap, toilet paper and towels
- Reports acts of vandalism and any defects in sanitary equipment
- Completes worksheets to note the date and time that amenities were last cleaned
No formal academic qualifications are required. Training may be provided on-the-job.
Related
Elementary cleaning occupations (median £25,303) · Vehicle valeters and cleaners · Refuse and salvage occupations · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026