Residential Cleaner / Housekeeper

As per the Government of Canada, the federal minimum wage is $19.00 per hour effective January 1, 2026, applying to cleaning staff in federally regulated sectors like transportation and federal properties. Overtime pay is 1.5 times the regular rate after 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Provincially regulated cleaners follow local minimums starting at $17.20 in Ontario.

According to Employment and Social Development Canada, light duty cleaners earn low wages of $17.50 per hour, median $20.75 per hour, and high wages up to $25.00 per hour nationally in 2026. These rates reflect full-time positions across major cities like Toronto and Vancouver. Entry-level starts at the low end with raises after 6 months.

Foreign workers require a Temporary Foreign Worker Program work permit with a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for cleaning positions, costing employers $1,000 per position. The job offer must pay at least the provincial median wage of $20.75 per hour to qualify under low-wage stream rules. Processing takes 10 business days for LMIA and 4-8 weeks for the permit.

No postsecondary education is required; secondary school completion is sufficient for light duty cleaners (NOC 65310). Employers provide 4-12 weeks of on-the-job training, and no prior experience is mandatory for entry-level roles. Physical fitness and reliability are key hiring factors.