You see them dangling from the edge of the Chrysler Building or squeegeeing a storefront in SoHo. It looks terrifying. Or maybe peaceful? It depends on who you ask. If you’ve ever stared out your office window on the 40th floor and locked eyes with a person suspended by a few steel cables, your first thought—after "hope that rope holds"—is usually: how much do window washers in nyc make? It's a grind.
The pay isn't just one flat number you can find on a HR flyer. In New York City, your paycheck depends almost entirely on whether you’re scrubbing a bodega window in Queens or rappelling down the side of the Hudson Yards skyscrapers. There’s a massive divide between the union guys and the "bucket and pole" independent contractors. If you're looking for a simple answer, the range is wild—anywhere from $18 an hour to over $35 plus benefits. But let’s get into the weeds of why that is.
The Union Factor: SEIU Local 32BJ
If you want to make "real" money in this city, you’re looking at the union. Most high-rise window cleaners in Manhattan are represented by 32BJ SEIU. This is the heavyweight champion of labor unions in the Northeast.
When you’re in the union, you aren't just getting a wage; you’re getting a lifestyle. As of the most recent contracts, an experienced union window cleaner can see an hourly rate north of $30 or even $35. That adds up to a base salary of roughly $60,000 to $75,000 a year before you even touch overtime.
And there is always overtime.
Think about the sheer volume of glass in this city. New construction is basically 90% glass now. Someone has to clean it. Union workers also get "height pay" or "hazard pay" baked into their agreements. It’s not just about the skill of the squeegee; it’s about the insurance, the pension, and the fact that you’re willing to work in 20-mph winds while the rest of the city is inside drinking lattes.
Honestly, the benefits are where the value really hides. A non-union worker making $25 an hour has to pay for their own health insurance. A 32BJ member has their family covered. That’s a "hidden" $15,000 a year right there.
Why the Gap Exists
Not everyone gets to hang from a rig. Residential window cleaning—think brownstones in Brooklyn or storefronts on 5th Avenue—is a totally different beast. These are often non-union roles.
- Route Work: This is the "bucket and pole" stuff. You’re walking. You’re carrying a ladder. You’re hitting 20 shops a day. You might make $18 to $22 an hour.
- Mid-Rise: Using a "water-fed pole" or a cherry picker. The pay bumps up a bit here, maybe $25.
- High-Rise (The Big Leagues): This requires certification. You need to know how to use a descent control drawing (DCD) and understand the mechanics of a "scaffold" or a "boatswain's chair." This is where the $30+ per hour kicks in.
Is it Actually Dangerous?
People think window washing is a death-defying stunt. Statistically? Not really. It’s actually safer than being a cab driver or working in general construction.
The industry is governed by strict OSHA standards and the ANSI/IWCA I-14.1 safety standard. If you’re a professional, you have two independent lines. One for the chair and one for your fall arrest system. If one fails, the other catches you. The guys who get hurt are usually the ones cutting corners or working for "fly-by-night" operations that don't inspect their gear.
In NYC, the Department of Buildings (DOB) doesn't mess around. If a rig looks sketchy, someone calls it in. The real danger isn't falling; it’s the elements.
New York winters are brutal. Imagine being 600 feet up when a gust of wind hits you. The water freezes on the glass instantly. Your fingers go numb inside your gloves. That’s why the pay is what it is. You aren't just paying for clean windows; you're paying for someone to endure the misery of a January morning on the side of a building.
The Skill of the Squeegee
You can’t just pick up a squeegee and go. There’s a technique called the "S-technique" or the "swivel." If you leave a streak on a billionaire’s penthouse window, the building manager hears about it.
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The speed is also insane. These guys move. A pro can clear a massive pane of glass in seconds. When you’re paid by the hour, speed is good for the company; but in some non-union shops, you’re paid by the "drop" or by the window. That’s where the high-stakes pressure comes in. If you want to know how much do window washers in nyc make, you have to ask how fast they can move without losing a finger to a ledge.
Entry Requirements and Training
You don't need a college degree. You do need a stomach for heights.
Most people start as a "ground man." You help set up the cones, you manage the ropes, and you learn the knots. Eventually, you move up. To work the high-rise rigs, you’ll likely need to complete a 16-hour or 32-hour suspended scaffold user course.
- OSHA 30: Almost every site requires this now.
- Scaffold Certification: Essential for the big rigs.
- Site Safety Training (SST): A New York special. You need this card to set foot on most major job sites.
It’s a barrier to entry that keeps wages higher. If anyone could do it, it would pay minimum wage. Because you need specific NYC-mandated cards, the labor pool is smaller.
The Reality of "The Drop"
Let’s talk about the "drop." In the industry, a "drop" is one vertical pass down a building. A crew might do three or four drops a day depending on the building's size.
On a "prestige" building—think the Freedom Tower or the Billionaire’s Row needles—the rigs are permanent installations. They are complex machines. Operating them is more like being a crane operator than a janitor. This specialization is exactly why the top-tier guys are pulling in $80k with overtime.
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Comparing NYC to Other Cities
Does NYC pay better than, say, Chicago or Philly?
Usually, yes. But the cost of living eats a lot of that. A window washer in Dallas might make $22 an hour and live like a king. In NYC, $30 an hour means you’re probably still sharing an apartment in Astoria or commuting from Jersey.
However, the concentration of high-rise buildings in Manhattan is unparalleled. There is a "density of opportunity" here that doesn't exist elsewhere. You can finish one contract and walk two blocks to the next one.
Why Do People Do It?
I’ve talked to guys who have been doing this for 20 years. They don't want to work in an office.
There is a weird, meditative quality to it. When you’re on the side of a building, the city noise disappears. It’s just you, the wind, and the glass. You see the city from angles that even the people inside the buildings don't get. You see the sunrise over the East River without any obstructions.
Also, the hours are great for some. Many crews start at 6:00 AM and are done by 2:00 PM. You beat the rush hour. You have your afternoons free. If you’re a parent or someone with a side hustle, that schedule is gold.
The Seasonal Slump
One thing people forget when asking about how much do window washers in nyc make is the seasonality.
When it rains, you don't wash. When it’s too windy, you don't wash. When it snows? Forget it.
Union workers often have more stability here, but if you’re a 1099 contractor, a rainy week means zero income. You have to be a shark with your savings. You make your "hay" in the spring and fall—the peak seasons when every building wants their "spring cleaning" done.
Finding the Best Paying Jobs
If you’re looking to get into the trade or looking to switch companies, focus on the "Big Three" or similar large-scale maintenance firms. Companies like Platinum Inc. or Modern Methods handle a massive chunk of the city's skyline.
They have the contracts for the big commercial towers. That’s where the steady, high-paying union work lives.
If you go the residential route, you’re looking for high-end boutique firms that service the Upper East Side. These clients tip. Yes, window washers get tips, especially around the holidays. A "thank you" envelope from a penthouse owner can sometimes be a few hundred bucks. It's not guaranteed, but it’s a nice perk of the luxury market.
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Actionable Steps for Aspiring NYC Window Washers
If you’re serious about hitting that $30+ bracket, don’t just walk into a shop and ask for a job.
- Get your OSHA 30 and SST card first. It shows you aren't a liability.
- Look for 32BJ apprenticeship leads. The union sometimes opens up training programs that are the golden ticket to high wages.
- Master the "S" stroke on your own time. Buy a professional squeegee (not a hardware store one) and practice on your own windows until you can clear a pane without a single drop of water left behind.
- Build a "work-at-heights" resume. Even if it’s just basic roofing or painting, showing you aren't afraid of ladders is a start.
The industry is changing. New robotic window cleaners are being tested on some buildings. But they can’t handle the architectural quirks of a pre-war skyscraper or the intricate ledges of a neo-gothic tower. For now, and for the foreseeable future, the "human touch" is worth a premium in New York City. The pay reflects the grit required to do the job. It’s a honest living in a city that’s increasingly hard to afford, provided you have the stomach for the view.