Careers

Cleaning & Restoration

Water damage restoration, mold remediation, fire cleanup

$39k/yr median+5% growth (10-yr)290,500 openings/yrFast entry (<1 yr)CSI 01

Wages & Job Outlook

$39k

Median wage

per year

$27k

Entry wage

per year

$60k

Top 10%

per year

291K

Annual openings

jobs per year

+5% projected job growth over 10 years — faster than average.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections.

Work-Life & Stability

Schedule

Variable shifts including nights/weekends for emergency response

Environment

indoor

Overtime

common

Physical demand

high

Travel

Travel typically required

Hazard level

Moderate hazard

Recession-resistant · Classified as essential service

Overview

Cleaning and restoration professionals remediate water damage, mold, fire/smoke damage, and biohazards. IICRC certification is the industry standard credential.

Day in the Life

Emergency calls can come at any hour — a burst pipe at 2am or a house fire cleanup. Day starts with checking dispatch for new water losses. Set up drying equipment, take moisture readings, document with photos. Manage insurance adjuster communication. Check on multi-day drying jobs.

How to Get Started

Certification-First

certification-first

IICRC WRT (Water Restoration Technician) is the entry-level industry credential

Duration: 3–5 daysCost: Moderate tuition

On-the-Job Training

on-the-job

Many restoration techs start as laborers and earn certifications while working

Duration: 1–2 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Trade School / Vocational Program

trade-school

Some community colleges offer restoration and remediation programs

Duration: 6 monthsCost: Moderate tuition

Find local cleaning & restoration training near you

Programs, apprenticeship openings, and American Job Centers

Find training →

How to Pay for Your Training

Multiple funding programs can offset or eliminate the cost of training. Here are the most commonly applicable ones.

WIOA Individual Training Account (ITA)

Federally funded training voucher for eligible adults and dislocated workers. ITAs pay for approved programs at WIOA-eligible providers (ETPs). Amounts set by local Workforce Development Boards — typically $3,000–$12,000 per year depending on workforce area. Apply at your nearest American Job Center (CareerOneStop).

Up to $12,000

Apply →

Federal Pell Grant

Need-based federal grant up to $7,395/year for eligible students at accredited colleges and trade schools. Does not need to be repaid. Eligible programs include accredited community colleges, for-profit trade schools (UTI, Lincoln, etc.), and union training centers that are accredited institutions.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

Workforce Pell Grant (SAVES Act)

Starting July 1, 2026, Pell Grant eligibility expands to high-quality short-term workforce programs (8–15 weeks) at eligible institutions. For the first time, trade training programs under 600 hours are Pell-eligible — including many HVAC, electrical, and welding certificates. Students earn the same need-based amount as longer programs.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

GI Bill (Post-9/11, Chapter 33) — Apprenticeship

Post-9/11 GI Bill covers On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Registered Apprenticeship programs. Veterans receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA, based on E-5 w/dependents BAH at program location) that scales up as they advance through the apprenticeship. Covers full 3–5 year apprenticeship programs.

Up to $3,200

Apply →

See all programs you may qualify for →

Job & Training Resources

Apprenticeship.gov Partner Finder

A free U.S. Department of Labor tool for finding registered apprenticeship partners — sponsors, educators, and intermediaries.

Apprenticeship Illinois

Illinois's state apprenticeship initiative, hosted on the Illinois workNet portal, connecting career seekers to registered apprenticeship pathways statewide.

CareerStarter by NCCER

NCCER's free platform that helps job seekers explore construction crafts, build a profile, and connect directly with employers and training programs.

Browse all job & training resources →

Career Ladder

Restoration Laborer

$33k/yr

0–1 yrs exp.

Moves contents, sets equipment, cleans debris

Restoration Technician

$42k/yr

1–3 yrs exp.

Holds IICRC WRT, runs drying jobs under supervision

Senior Restorer

$55k/yr

3–7 yrs exp.

Manages complex losses, holds multiple IICRC certs

Project Manager

$68k/yr

5+ yrs exp.

Handles large commercial losses, leads crews

Restoration Contractor

$90k/yr

5+ yrs exp.

Owns restoration company, manages TPA relationships

Licensing by State

State	Required?	License type	Issuing body
AZ	Yes	Contractor license — e.g. B-1/B General/Residential or relevant specialty (no dedicated restoration class)	Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
CA	Yes	Contractor license — B General Building (or C-36 Plumbing / C-20 HVAC for trade-specific water/fire restoration scope)	CSLB (Contractors State License Board)
FL	Yes	Mold Remediator (MRSR); plus Certified/Registered General or Building Contractor (CILB) for reconstruction	Florida DBPR (Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation) — Mold-Related Services; CILB for building work
GA	Yes	Residential-Basic / General Contractor license	Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential & Commercial General Contractors (GA Secretary of State)
IL	Yes	Mold Remediation registration (Mold Remediation Registration Act, SB1087)	Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
MI	Yes	Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration (M&A) Contractor license	Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes
NC	Yes	General Contractor license (Limited / Intermediate / Unlimited)	North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC)
NJ	No	–	–
NY	Yes	Mold Remediation Contractor license (Labor Law Article 32)	NYS Department of Labor — Mold Program
OH	No	–	–
PA	No	–	–
TN	Yes	Contractor license (state) for jobs $25,000+; Home Improvement license in certain counties ($3,000–$24,999)	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance)
TX	Yes	Mold Remediation Contractor license	TDLR (Texas Dept. of Licensing & Regulation) — Mold Assessors and Remediators program
VA	Yes	Contractor license — Class A / B / C (with relevant specialty designation)	Virginia DPOR — Board for Contractors
WA	No	–	–

Time to Enter

Time to journeyman2 yrs

Fast-entry trade — earning wages in <1 year possible

Wages (BLS 2024)

Entry (10th pct)$27k

Median$39k

Top 10%$60k

BLS OEWS May 2024. Wages vary by state and employer.

Compare all trades side-by-side →Find training funding →

Own a cleaning & restoration business?

Verified · 2 sources

What it's worth today — the starting point for weighing any exit.

First Page Sage

PE / strategic buyer

4×–7×

× EBITDA

Peak Business Valuation

Appraisal / small business

2.34×–3.55×

× SDE

The two lenses differ on purpose: PE / strategic buyers pay a multiple of EBITDA (management-run, platform-scale), while an appraisal / small-business value is a multiple of SDE (owner-operated). Most trades land between the two.

Full valuation breakdown →Explore exit paths →