Janitor or Building Cleaner

Despite limited employment growth, about 336,700 openings for janitors and building cleaners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Education: None Details

Education Details

62%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

23%

Bachelor's Degree

14%

Less than a High School Diploma

Salary

High: $46,400.00

Average: $33,960.00

Hourly

Average: $16.33

Summary of What they do:

Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.

Responsibilities

Monitor building premises to ensure occupant or visitor safety.

Remove debris from work sites.

Trim trees or other vegetation.

Operate grounds maintenance equipment.

Drive trucks or other vehicles to or at work sites.

Clean facilities or sites.

Dispose of trash or waste materials.

Clean building walls or flooring.

Prepare chemicals for work application.

Clean building walls or flooring.

Confer with coworkers to coordinate maintenance or cleaning activities.

Select equipment, materials, or supplies for cleaning or maintenance activities.

Clean furniture or fixtures.

Clean building walls or flooring.

Move furniture.

Decorate indoor or outdoor spaces.

Clean furniture or fixtures.

Clean equipment or supplies.

Clean building walls or flooring.

Move furniture.

Remove snow.

Drive trucks or other vehicles to or at work sites.

Clean equipment or supplies.

Treat facilities to eliminate pests.

Maintain equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.

Clean facilities or sites.

What Janitors and Building Cleaners Do

Janitors and building cleaners keep many types of buildings clean, sanitary, orderly, and in good condition.

Duties

Janitors and building cleaners wash windows and glass.

Janitors and building cleaners typically do the following:

Gather and empty trash
Sweep, mop, or vacuum building floors
Clean restrooms and stock them with supplies
Clean spills and other hazards with appropriate equipment
Wash windows, walls, and glass
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently
Order cleaning supplies
Make minor building repairs
Notify managers when a building needs major repairs
Lock doors to secure buildings

Janitors and building cleaners keep office buildings, schools, hospitals, and other places clean, sanitary, and in good condition. Some clean only, while others have a wide range of duties.

In addition to keeping the inside of buildings clean and orderly, some janitors and building cleaners work outdoors. They may do tasks such as mowing lawns, sweeping walkways, and removing snow. Some also monitor the building’s heating and cooling system, ensuring that it functions properly.

Janitors and building cleaners use many tools and types of equipment. Simple cleaning tools may include brooms, mops, and rakes. Other tools include sprayers, floor buffers, and snowblowers.

Some janitors are responsible for repairing minor electrical or plumbing problems, such as leaky faucets.

The following are examples of types of janitors and building cleaners:

Building superintendents are responsible for maintaining residential buildings, such as apartments and condominiums. Although their duties are like those of other janitors, some building superintendents also help collect rent and show vacancies to potential tenants.

Custodians are janitors or cleaning workers who typically maintain institutional facilities, such as schools and hospitals.

For data on workers who maintain private homes or businesses, such as hotels, see maids and housekeeping cleaners.

Important Qualities

Interpersonal skills. Janitors and building cleaners must interact well other cleaners and the people who live or work in the buildings they service.

Mechanical skills. Janitors and building cleaners need to understand general building operations and should be able to make routine repairs, such as to leaky faucets.

Physical stamina. Janitors and building cleaners spend most of their workday standing to operate cleaning equipment.

Physical strength. Janitors and building cleaners often must lift and move heavy cleaning materials and equipment.

Time-management skills. Janitors and building cleaners must plan and complete tasks in a timely manner.

Tasks On The Job

Clean and polish furniture and fixtures.
Clean and restore building interiors damaged by fire, smoke, or water, using commercial cleaning equipment.
Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.
Clean chimneys, flues, and connecting pipes, using power or hand tools.
Clean laboratory equipment, such as glassware or metal instruments, using solvents, brushes, rags, or power cleaning equipment.
Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees.
Drive vans, industrial trucks, or other vehicles required to travel to, or to perform, cleaning work.
Dust furniture, walls, machines, or equipment.
Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.
Gather and empty trash.
Make adjustments or minor repairs to heating, cooling, ventilating, plumbing, or electrical systems.
Mix water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications.
Monitor building security and safety by performing tasks such as locking doors after operating hours or checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created.
Move heavy furniture, equipment, or supplies, either manually or with hand trucks.
Mow or trim lawns or shrubbery, using mowers or hand or power trimmers, and clear debris from grounds.
Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.
Remove snow from sidewalks, driveways, or parking areas, using snowplows, snow blowers, or snow shovels, or spread snow-melting chemicals.
Requisition supplies or equipment needed for cleaning and maintenance duties.
Service, clean, or supply restrooms.
Set up, arrange, or remove decorations, tables, chairs, ladders, or scaffolding to prepare facilities for events, such as banquets or meetings.
Spray insecticides or fumigants to prevent insect or rodent infestation.
Steam-clean or shampoo carpets.
Strip, seal, finish, and polish floors.

PERSONALITY

KEY:

Strength

Caution

Warning

Your Assessment Results		CAREER CHARACTERISTICS Importance


? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	80%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	80%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	73%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	72%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	71%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	71%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	69%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	68%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	67%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	61%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	60%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	57%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	56%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	56%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Your Assessment Results		IMPORTANT STRENGTHS Importance


? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment		95%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Your Assessment Results		WORK VALUES Importance


? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment		56%	Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

APTITUDES

KEY:

Strength

Caution

Warning

Your Assessment Results		ABILITIES \| SKILLS Importance


? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment		56%	Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment		56%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Your Assessment Results		TASKS \| ACTIVITIES Importance


? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	79%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	72%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	70%	Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	68%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	68%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	66%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	65%	Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	63%	Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	62%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	60%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	59%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	58%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	58%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	57%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	57%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	56%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	54%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	53%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	52%	Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	52%	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	51%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Your Assessment Results		CONTEXT \| ATTRIBUTES Importance


? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	91%	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	88%	Spend Time Walking and Running - How much does this job require walking and running?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	88%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	86%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	85%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	81%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	78%	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	76%	Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	73%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	68%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	59%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	57%	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	56%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	56%	Exposed to Disease or Infections - How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
? ? ? ? Begin Career Assessment	54%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Work Environment

Janitors and building cleaners usually work indoors, but they may work outdoors on some tasks such as sweeping walkways.

Janitors and building cleaners held about 2.4 million jobs in 2022. The largest employers of janitors and building cleaners were as follows:

Services to buildings and dwellings	35%
Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private	13
Healthcare and social assistance	7
Self-employed workers	5
Government	5

Janitors and building cleaners usually work indoors, but they may work outdoors on tasks such as sweeping walkways, mowing lawns, and shoveling snow. They spend most of the day walking, standing, or bending while cleaning. They often move or lift heavy supplies and equipment. As a result, the work may be strenuous on the back, arms, and legs. Some tasks, such as cleaning restrooms and trash areas, are dirty or unpleasant.

Injuries and Illnesses

Janitors and building cleaners sometimes get injured on the job. For example, they may suffer sprains or strains from heavy lifting or pain and soreness from repetitive motion. Workers may receive safety and ergonomics training to help minimize these risks.

Work Schedules

Most janitors and building cleaners work full time, but part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary. Because office buildings are often cleaned while they are empty, many cleaners work evening hours. When there is a need for 24-hour maintenance, such as in hospitals, cleaners work in shifts that may include nights, weekends, or holidays.

Getting Started

How to Become a Janitor or Building Cleaner

Most janitors and building cleaners learn on the job. They use many types of tools and equipment, including snowblowers.

Janitors and building cleaners typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. However, some employers may require or prefer that workers have a high school diploma or equivalent. Most janitors and building cleaners learn on the job.

Education

Janitors and building cleaners typically do not need a formal educational credential to qualify for entry-level jobs. But for some positions, they may need to have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Elective high school courses, such as in industrial arts, may be helpful for occupations involving repair.

Training

Most janitors and building cleaners learn on the job. Beginners typically work with a more experienced janitor, learning how to use and maintain equipment such as vacuums, floor buffers, and other equipment and tools. They also may learn how to repair minor electrical and plumbing problems.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Although not required, certification is available through the Building Service Contractors Association International, the ISSA—The International Sanitary Supply Association, and IEHA, a division of ISSA. Certification demonstrates competence and may make applicants more appealing to employers.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about janitors and building cleaners, visit

Association of Residential Cleaning Services International (ARSCI)

Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI)

IEHA

ISSA-The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of janitors and building cleaners.

	Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
	Grounds Maintenance Workers	Grounds maintenance workers install and maintain landscapes, prune trees or shrubs, and do other tasks to ensure that vegetation is attractive, orderly, and safe.	See How to Become One	$36,160
	Pest Control Workers	Pest control workers remove insects, rodents, and other pests that infest buildings and surrounding areas.	High school diploma or equivalent	$38,310