How Much Money Does a Theater Janitor Make per Year?

Theater janitors earn average wages of more than $10 per hour.
i IT Stock/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Whether you want to work as a janitor in a movie theater or theater production company, you'll likely be performing similar tasks each day: vacuuming carpets, sweeping theater floors, cleaning restrooms and taking the trash out. Your manager and customers will appreciate your services, as everyone likes a clean and clutter-free theater. You can expect to earn average wages between $10 and $11 per hour working as a theater janitor.

Education and Qualifications

    The minimum educational requirement for a theater janitor is a high school education or less. In this job, you'll likely be trained by an experienced theater janitor, who'll show you proper cleaning procedures for carpets, restrooms and theater floors. Other important qualifications for the job are physical strength and stamina, a strong work ethic and mechanical and interpersonal skills.

Cleaning for Pay

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't list incomes specifically for theater janitors. In 2012, it reported average annual wages of $22,370 — or $10.76 per hour — for janitors who service buildings and dwellings. Theater janitors earned median annual wages of $25,500 as of 2013, according to Glassdoor. This equates to $12.26 per hour, based on a 40-hour workweek.

Contributing Factors

    You may earn somewhat more working for a larger theater company because they can better afford to pay the higher wages. Your wages may also be higher in larger cities, including Atlanta and Dallas. For example, if you made $25,000 as a theater janitor in Indianapolis, you'd need to make $25,647 and $25,947 in Atlanta and Dallas, respectively, to maintain the same living standard, according to CNN Money's "Cost of Living" calculator. Theater companies may account for these differences in living expenses to set slightly higher wages for janitors.

Job Outlook

    The BLS predicts an 11 percent increase in employment for janitors and building cleaners, including theater janitors, from 2010 to 2020, which is about average compared to the 14 percent national hiring rate for all jobs. Jobs in theaters are usually contingent on the economy. During strong economies, people often have better jobs and more disposable income, and spend more on entertainment such as movies and theater productions. These increases in attendance at theaters can increase jobs for theater janitors.

the nest

×