Key takeaways
- IBISWorld projects U.S. janitorial revenue to grow about 2.0% a year through 2031, slower than the last five years.
- Labor costs are squeezing providers, and many struggle to pass them on to clients.
- For buyers, the safest move is to compare scope and staffing, not just price.
Published by A Bright Rose Cleaning Services, a commercial-only cleaning company in West Palm Beach, FL serving Palm Beach County.
The U.S. janitorial industry is still growing, but more slowly. According to Cleaning & Maintenance Management, which cites IBISWorld’s janitorial services report, industry revenue grew at a 2.7% compound annual rate over the past five years. It is expected to reach about $112.4 billion in 2026, up an estimated 1.7%, and to grow at roughly 2.0% a year to $124.1 billion by 2031.
What is driving demand
- Hygiene standards and regulation — stricter cleanliness expectations are creating new service needs.
- Technology — providers are adopting connected devices and robotics to work more efficiently.
- Sustainability — demand for eco-friendly products continues to rise, led by larger businesses.
- Steadier building use — as hybrid work settles, more consistent office attendance supports regular cleaning.
What is holding it back
The same report points to higher labor costs that limit profit growth, clients who push hard on price and treat cleaning as a cost center, and a crowded market with more than 1.2 million janitorial establishments in the U.S.
What this means if you buy cleaning services
When providers cannot easily raise prices, some cut corners instead: lower pay, thinner supervision, fewer hours. You see that later as missed tasks and a revolving door of new faces. A few ways to protect yourself:
- Compare scope, not just price. Two quotes only compare if they list the same tasks and frequencies.
- Ask about pay and turnover. Stable crews are easier to keep when they are paid and trained well.
- Ask how work is documented. Checklists, inspections and a clear way to report problems keep quality visible.
- Think in total value. The cheapest bid is rarely the cheapest year.
The ABR view
Slow industry growth makes service quality and retention matter more, not less. We would rather keep a client for years with documented, dependable work than win a bid on the lowest number. If you are comparing quotes, our guide to evaluating bids shows how to line them up fairly.
Sources: Cleaning & Maintenance Management, “Single Digit Growth Projected for US Janitorial Industry During Next 5 Years” (Sept. 3, 2026), citing IBISWorld. Figures are industry projections, not guarantees.