Prevailing Wage for Building Cleaning Workers, All Other
Prevailing wage for Building Cleaning Workers, All Other (SOC 37-2019) is set by the DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. Four experience levels define the floor, and the required minimum shifts considerably depending on where the worksite is located across the country.
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Level 1 covers entry-level workers with limited experience in building cleaning roles, typically following close supervision and performing routine tasks. Employers file at this level when the position requires no independent judgment and involves basic, repetitive cleaning duties.
Level 2 applies to workers with some experience who perform standard cleaning tasks with moderate supervision. This is the most common filing level for Building Cleaning Workers, All Other, reflecting positions that expect familiarity with equipment and cleaning procedures without specialized expertise.
Level 3 is for experienced workers who operate with greater independence, may handle specialized cleaning environments or equipment, and require minimal day-to-day supervision. Employers file here when the role demands demonstrated proficiency and judgment beyond routine assignments.
Level 4 reflects fully competent workers in senior or lead capacities, overseeing cleaning operations, training others, or managing complex facilities. Employers file at this level for positions requiring the highest degree of autonomy, accountability, and occupational expertise.
Prevailing Wage for Building Cleaning Workers, All Other by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Confirm whether agency or direct hire shifts your level
Building cleaning workers placed through a staffing or janitorial services agency are often classified at Level 1 or Level 2, while in-house hires at hospitals, airports, or large commercial facilities more frequently file at Level 3. Make sure your offer reflects the actual worksite employer classification.
Watch for title mismatches that skip this SOC
Positions advertised as facility attendant, sanitation technician, or environmental services worker sometimes get filed under a different SOC code entirely, bypassing the Building Cleaning Workers, All Other wage floor. Verify your LCA lists SOC 37-2019 before accepting any sponsored offer.
Factor out bonuses before comparing to the prevailing wage
Signing bonuses and one-time relocation payments cannot be counted toward prevailing wage compliance for this occupation. Compare only your guaranteed base hourly or annual rate against the applicable level floor for your worksite city.
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Migrate Mate lists sponsored positions vetted against DOL data and shows each employer's historical sponsorship counts for building cleaning roles, helping you identify which companies have actually filed H-1B or green card petitions for this occupation before applying.
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Find Jobs for this roleFrequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Building Cleaning Workers, All Other?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For SOC 37-2019, OFLC converts those regional survey percentiles into four wage levels. Employers must certify on the Labor Condition Application that they will pay at least the applicable level wage for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify which one applies to my offer?
The four levels correspond to experience and responsibility: Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision, Level 2 is qualified with standard task performance, Level 3 is experienced with greater independence, and Level 4 is fully competent in senior or lead roles. Review your job description against those definitions and check what SOC level your employer listed on the LCA to confirm alignment.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same cleaning role vary so much between cities?
OFLC bases wages on regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so each metro area produces its own data set reflecting local labor market conditions. The LCA must list the actual worksite address, and the wage floor that applies is the one for that specific area. Dense urban markets with higher costs of living and stronger union presence tend to produce significantly higher floors than lower-cost metros.
What happens if my job offer falls below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify an LCA at a wage below the DOL prevailing wage for the listed worksite and occupation. If the offered salary is below the floor, USCIS can deny the petition, and DOL can investigate and assess back-pay liability. You should not accept a sponsored offer where the stated wage is below the applicable level minimum for your location.
How can I find and verify the prevailing wage for Building Cleaning Workers, All Other at a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up SOC 37-2019 wages by metro area or county. Select the appropriate experience level and confirm the worksite city matches what your employer will enter on the LCA. Migrate Mate also lists sponsored positions for this occupation filtered by visa type and location, so you can cross-reference employer offerings against the applicable wage floor for your target city.
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