Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners: Career Profile
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.
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What Tasks Do Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners include:
- Service, clean, or supply restrooms.
- Gather and empty trash.
- Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.
- 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.
- Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.
- Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.
- Mix water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications.
- Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees.
Skills and Knowledge
Top janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Airport Attendant
- Alley Cleaner
- Blinds Cleaner
- Blinds Washer
- Brass Cleaner
- Brass Polisher
- Building Attendant
- Building Custodian
How Many Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Are There?
There are about 363,939 janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +13.3% over the projection horizon.
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $26,407 |
| Hourly median | $12.70 |
| 10th percentile | $20,000 |
| 25th percentile | $22,000 |
| 75th percentile | $31,440 |
| 90th percentile | $36,474 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $44,570 |
| Washington | $43,720 |
| New York | $39,920 |
| Alaska | $39,040 |
| California | $38,640 |
| Vermont | $38,630 |
| Maine | $38,560 |
| District of Columbia | $38,390 |
| Minnesota | $38,320 |
| New Hampshire | $37,860 |
| Oregon | $37,550 |
| Montana | $37,390 |
| New Jersey | $37,320 |
| Colorado | $37,270 |
| Hawaii | $37,120 |
| Illinois | $37,010 |
| Connecticut | $36,800 |
| North Dakota | $36,660 |
| Nevada | $36,480 |
| Rhode Island | $36,380 |
| Arizona | $36,140 |
| Iowa | $36,130 |
| Maryland | $36,090 |
| Wisconsin | $35,850 |
| Nebraska | $35,820 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,670 |
| Wyoming | $35,580 |
| Idaho | $35,360 |
| Indiana | $35,240 |
| Michigan | $35,000 |
| Ohio | $34,710 |
| Delaware | $34,560 |
| Missouri | $34,080 |
| Virginia | $33,970 |
| South Dakota | $33,940 |
| New Mexico | $33,640 |
| Georgia | $33,130 |
| Kansas | $32,690 |
| North Carolina | $32,630 |
| Florida | $31,540 |
| Texas | $31,230 |
| Tennessee | $31,220 |
| West Virginia | $30,590 |
| Oklahoma | $30,590 |
| Kentucky | $30,470 |
| Utah | $30,390 |
| South Carolina | $29,560 |
| Arkansas | $29,540 |
| Alabama | $29,120 |
| Virgin Islands | $28,190 |
| Louisiana | $27,940 |
| Mississippi | $27,610 |
| Guam | $22,190 |
| Puerto Rico | $20,560 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Earnings for janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners shift depending on where you work. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $40,838 | 5.2% | 1.11 |
| Far Western US | $39,012 | 16.1% | 0.99 |
| Middle Atlantic | $38,002 | 18.3% | 1.23 |
| Plains States | $35,743 | 7.0% | 1.03 |
| Great Lakes | $35,674 | 14.6% | 1.04 |
| Rocky Mountains | $34,969 | 3.9% | 0.98 |
| Southwest | $32,020 | 11.5% | 0.92 |
| Southeast | $31,395 | 22.0% | 0.91 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $46,230 | 44,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $44,820 | 27,680 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | WA | $44,750 | 1,220 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | WA | $44,030 | 680 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | MA | $43,600 | 1,310 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $43,530 | 31,140 |
| Napa, CA | CA | $43,440 | 1,100 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | WA | $43,290 | 540 |
Which Industries Hire Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
The largest employers of janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 947,960 | $34,970 |
| Educational Services | 402,130 | $37,540 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 164,670 | $36,930 |
| Retail Trade | 113,700 | $34,560 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 110,950 | $36,350 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 72,210 | $38,600 |
| Manufacturing | 71,700 | $38,690 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 53,350 | $34,470 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The work environment for janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners reflects the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Spend Time Walking or Running
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Getting Started in This Career
Entry-level janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Dishwashers (Primary-Short)
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers (Supplemental)
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners (Primary-Short)
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers (Primary-Long)
- Carpet Installers (Supplemental)
- Floor Sanders and Finishers (Primary-Long)
- Construction Laborers (Supplemental)
- Helpers–Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons (Supplemental)
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 37-2011.00 (Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners).