Chimney Sweeps

Chimney sweeps earned median annual salaries of $38,923 in 2024, according to ZipRecruiter.com. Salaries ranged from $19,000 to $52,500. GlassDoor.com reports higher salaries for chimney sweeps. The job-search site reports that sweeps earned average salaries of $56,000 in 2024. Earnings ranged from $44,000 to $73,000 or more.

Chimney sweeps who own their own company will generally earn considerably more than entry-level and mid-level employees. Owners and CEOs of chimney sweep owners may earn anywhere from approximately $75,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on geographic location, years of experience, and the size of the company.

Wages depend on many factors, including geographic location. Sweeps working in larger cities and affluent neighborhoods can make much more for their services than those working in less populated areas. In areas where many people use stoves and fireplaces to heat their homes, such as in the New England states or the Northwest, a sweep may have four or more cleanings scheduled for every workday. In other parts of the country, the work may be seasonal, with the bulk of servicing done in the months following the heating season. In addition to service fees, some sweeps also make money from the sales of stoves and fireplace products. "The average cost to clean a chimney is $250, with the total typically landing between $120 and $390," according to a 2024 article in Forbes. "If you regularly maintain your wood-burning fireplace, chimney cleaning can cost as little as $90. Costs for chimney cleaning can be influenced by factors such as the type of chimney, its accessibility, the time between cleanings, frequency of usage, location and additional services."

Benefits for salaried workers often include paid vacation, health, disability, life insurance, and retirement or pension plans. Self-employed chimney sweeps must provide their own benefits.