What They Do: Janitors and building cleaners keep many types of buildings clean, orderly, and in good condition.
Work Environment: Most janitors and building cleaners work indoors. However, some work outdoors part of the time, sweeping walkways, mowing lawns, and removing snow. Because office buildings often are cleaned while they are empty, many cleaners work evening hours. The work can be physically demanding and sometimes dirty and unpleasant.
How to Become One: Most janitors and building cleaners learn on the job. Formal education is not required.
Salary: The median hourly wage for janitors and building cleaners is $14.31.
Job Outlook: Employment of janitors and building cleaners is projected to grow 4 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of janitors and building cleaners with similar occupations.
Janitors and building cleaners keep many types of buildings clean, orderly, and in good condition.
Janitors and building cleaners typically do the following:
Janitors and building cleaners keep office buildings, schools, hospitals, retail stores, hotels, and other places clean, sanitary, and in good condition. Some only clean, 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, mowing lawns, sweeping walkways, and removing snow. Some workers also monitor the building's heating and cooling system, ensuring that it functions properly.
Janitors and building cleaners use many tools and equipment. Simple cleaning tools may include mops, brooms, rakes, and shovels. Other tools may include snowblowers, floor buffers, and carpet extraction equipment.
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 similar to 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 public schools and hospitals.
Janitors and building cleaners hold about 2.3 million jobs. The largest employers of janitors and building cleaners are as follows:
| Services to buildings and dwellings | 36% |
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private | 13% |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 7% |
| Government | 5% |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 4% |
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.
Janitors and building cleaners have a higher rate of injuries and illnesses than the national average. Workers sometime suffer minor cuts, bruises, and burns from machines, tools, and chemicals. As a result, workers are increasingly required to take safety training and ergonomics instruction.
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.
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Most janitors and building cleaners learn on the job. Formal education is not required.
Janitors and building cleaners do not need any formal educational credential. However, high school courses in shop can be helpful for jobs involving repair work.
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 tools. On the job, they also learn how to repair minor electrical and plumbing problems.
Although not required, certification is available through the Building Service Contractors Association International, the IEHA (formerly International Executive Housekeepers Association), and ISSA—The International Sanitary Supply Association. Certification can demonstrate competence and may make applicants more appealing to employers.
Interpersonal skills. Janitors and building cleaners should get along well with their supervisors, other cleaners, and the people who live or work in the buildings they clean.
Mechanical skills. Janitors and building cleaners should understand general building operations. They should be able to make routine repairs, such as repairing leaky faucets.
Physical stamina. Janitors and building cleaners spend most of their workday on their feet, operating cleaning equipment and lifting and moving supplies or tools. As a result, they should have good physical stamina.
Physical strength. Janitors and building cleaners often must lift and move cleaning materials and heavy equipment. Cases of liquid cleaner and trash receptacles, for example, can be very heavy, so workers should be strong enough to lift them without injuring their back.
Time-management skills. Janitors and building cleaners should be able to plan and complete tasks in a timely manner.
The median hourly wage for janitors and building cleaners is $14.31. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.74, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $22.26.
The median hourly wages for janitors and building cleaners in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Government | $17.92 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private | $14.78 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | $14.41 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | $14.38 |
| Services to buildings and dwellings | $13.98 |
Most janitors and building cleaners work full time. Because office buildings are often cleaned while they are empty, many cleaners work evening hours. When there is a need for 24-hour maintenance, as there often is in hospitals and hotels, cleaners work in shifts.
Employment of janitors and building cleaners is projected to grow 4 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 335,500 openings for janitors and building cleaners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many 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.
These workers are essential to the upkeep of building interiors. Their services will be needed to meet the continued demand for clean spaces.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 2,298,400 | 2,383,900 | 4 | 85,500 |
For more information about janitors and building cleaners, visit
Association of Residential Cleaning Services International
Building Service Contractors Association International
IEHA (formerly International Executive Housekeepers Association)
ISSA-The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association
Information about janitorial and building cleaning jobs is available from state employment service offices.
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.