How to Pay Yourself in Your Cleaning Business (Step-by-Step)

Jun 6

Running a cleaning business comes with many responsibilities — but one of the biggest questions business owners have is:

“How do I pay myself properly?”

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been cleaning houses or managing teams for a while, learning how to pay yourself the right way will keep your business healthy and your finances stress-free.

This guide breaks down exactly how cleaning business owners can pay themselves — whether you’re a sole proprietor, LLC, or S-Corp.

Step 1: Understand Your Business Structure

How you legally structure your cleaning business will determine how you can pay yourself.

➤ Sole Proprietor or Single-Member LLC

You’re not considered an employee.
You take an owner’s draw — simply transferring money from your business bank account to your personal one.
No payroll required.

➤ S-Corporation (or LLC taxed as S-Corp)

You are considered an employee.
You must run payroll and pay yourself a “reasonable salary.”
Additional profit can be taken as owner distributions, which are taxed differently.

Knowing your structure helps you avoid IRS penalties and structure your finances properly.

Step 2: Separate Personal & Business Finances

If you’re using the same bank account for your business and personal expenses — stop now. 😅

You need a dedicated business bank account to:

Track income and expenses clearly
Simplify tax season
Maintain professional financial records

This also makes it easier to determine how much you can realistically pay yourself.

Step 3: Know Your Numbers

You can’t pay yourself consistently if you don’t know what’s coming in and what’s going out.

Track the following monthly:

Revenue: Total income from cleaning clients
Expenses: Supplies, staff, software, gas, marketing, etc.
Taxes: Set aside 25–30% of your profits
Net Profit: What’s left over after all bills are paid

This tells you what you can afford to pay yourself without draining the business.

Step 4: Create a Pay Schedule

Consistency is key — not just for your clients, but for your own paycheck.

Choose a schedule that works for your cash flow:

Weekly
Biweekly
Monthly

Pro tip: Don’t just take a random draw when you “feel like it.” Treat yourself like an employee — it helps you budget personally and run your business professionally.

Step 5: Set Your Pay Based on Profit, Not Revenue

Let’s say your cleaning business brings in $10,000/month.

After deducting:

$4,000 in business expenses
$2,000 for taxes
$1,000 to save for business growth

You have $3,000 remaining. That’s what’s available for your owner’s draw or salary.

Don’t make the mistake of spending based on your top-line income. Always use your net profit as your guide.

Step 6: Don’t Forget About Taxes

Even if you pay yourself through an owner’s draw, you’re still responsible for self-employment taxes (Social Security + Medicare).

Make sure you:

Track deductible expenses (gas, mileage, supplies, phone, etc.)
Make quarterly estimated tax payments
Use a bookkeeper or tax pro to avoid underpaying Ps (we can help 😉)

Quick Recap

Here’s what to remember when paying yourself:
Know your business structure
Keep business and personal finances separate
Track income, expenses, and profit
Pay yourself consistently from net profit
Don’t forget about taxes

Want Help Paying Yourself the Smart Way?

As a bookkeeper who works exclusively with cleaning businesses, I help owners just like you:

Get their numbers organized
Set up consistent pay
Understand where the money is going
And take home more profit — without guessing

👉 Schedule a free consultation to talk about getting your finances in order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I pay myself from my cleaning business?

It depends on your net profit. A good rule is to leave some money in the business and only pay yourself what the business can afford after expenses and taxes.

Can I just take money out whenever I want?

If you’re a sole proprietor, yes — but it’s best to set a schedule. If you’re an S-Corp, you must take a consistent salary through payroll.

Should I use payroll software?

If you’re taxed as an S-Corp, absolutely. Gusto, Patriot Payroll , and ADP are good options. They’ll handle taxes and filings for you.

Jennifer Rush