The minimum wage in cleaning in 2026
The official minimum hourly wages for workers at cleaning companies (Joint Committee 121), by category — plus additional amounts and where you can start working today. Your employer may always pay more.
Source: Minimum wage database of the FPS Employment, Joint Committee 121, valid from 1 July 2026 · gross per hour · view all salary scales
Minimum hourly wage by category
In the cleaning sector, your minimum wage depends on the category of work you do. These are the minimum hourly wages for the most common categories.
| Category | Gross hourly rate |
|---|---|
| 1.A Regular cleaning (offices, schools, shops) | € 17.1660 |
| 1.B Special cleaning (production halls, hospitals, sanitary facilities)¹ | € 17.7010 |
| 1.C Metro and premetro, car workshops outside production | € 17.8690 |
| 2.A Cleaning with moderate effort | € 18.2775 |
| 2.B Cleaning of railway cars, buses and aircraft | € 18.8010 |
| 2.E Disinfection | € 18.9890 |
| 3.A Collection of waste, sewers and septic tanks | € 19.5145 |
| 3.C Driver for waste collection or street cleaning | € 20.5325 |
| 4.A Skilled window cleaner, at the start | € 19.3775 |
| 4.B Skilled window cleaner, from 8 months | € 19.8540 |
| 4.C Skilled window cleaner, from 12 months | € 20.1875 |
| 4.D Skilled window cleaner, from 18 months | € 20.5235 |
| 5 Personnel transport driver, forklift, aerial work platform or bobcat operator | €17,416 |
| 6 Car wash | € 18.6565 |
| 8 Industrial cleaning: untrained assistant | € 18.8680 |
¹ Sanitary: workstations consisting mainly (more than 50% of the performance) of cleaning sanitary facilities. For window cleaners, seniority in the profession is taken into account.
Hourly rates for workers, valid from July 1, 2026. The table shows a selection; all categories are listed in the minimum wage database and you can read what each category entails in the information sheet from the FPS Employment.
Good to know
- A minimum, not an average. This is the lowest gross salary your employer is allowed to pay. Your employer may always pay more.
- For whom? These minimum wages apply to workers at cleaning and disinfection companies (Joint Committee 121). If you work for a different type of employer, a different joint committee with different minimum wages may apply.
- Which category? That depends on the specific work you do. Standard cleaning of offices, schools, or shops falls under 1.A; cleaning of production halls, hospitals, or kitchens where actual cooking takes place falls under 1.B. Work requiring heavier physical exertion, such as using high-pressure cleaners of more than 3 kW and 150 bar, falls under 2.A.
- 37 hours per week. The normal weekly working hours in the sector are 37 hours; hours above this are calculated as overtime.
- Team leader or sergeant? A team leader receives at least 10% and a foreman at least 5% above the standard wage of the operational workers.
- Indexing. Minimum wages and real wages follow the index; in July 2026, they rose by 2.07%. The table shows the level as of July 1, 2026.
- Net? That depends on your hours, your family situation, and the withholding tax. Our gross-net calculator It also calculates with an hourly rate; this way, you get an indication immediately.
Looking to get started in cleaning? These vacancies are currently open.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in the cleaning industry?
For standard cleaning (category 1.A), this is €17.1660 gross per hour with an employer from Joint Committee 121. For special cleaning (category 1.B), the minimum is €17.7010 per hour. Your employer may always pay more.
How many hours do you work full-time in cleaning?
The normal weekly working hours in the sector are 37 hours. Hours exceeding those 37 hours per week are calculated as overtime.
Do you earn more as a window cleaner?
Yes. A skilled window cleaner receives at least €19.3775 per hour at the start, rising to €20.5235 after 18 months of seniority in the profession. Window cleaning requiring an aerial work platform falls under category 4.D.
How much do you earn net in cleaning?
That depends on your hours, your family situation, and the withholding tax. Our gross-net calculator It also calculates with an hourly rate; this way, you get an indication immediately.
How do I find a cleaning job?
On JobFunders, you will find cleaning vacancies throughout Flanders. Create one free profile with your experience and preferences, and Jobby — your digital career buddy — will invite you as soon as an employer is looking for something that really suits you. View the cleaning vacancies.
Also interesting: Cleaning vacancies · The minimum wage in the hospitality industry · The wages of a temporary worker · Calculate your net salary
Let the right employer find you
Create your free profile in 2 minutes. From then on, Jobby works for you — you will be invited as soon as an employer is looking for something that really suits you.
Free · Discreet · Direct contact with employers · You stay in control
For employers
Are you looking for staff yourself?
Jobby recruits. You hire. 24/7. Jobby invites suitable candidates for your vacancy — the first SMS invitations are sent within 2 minutes of activation — and screens for the must-haves that you define yourself.
Nederlands (België) 
English