Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

Salary Overview

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Key Skills

Knowledge Areas

What They Do

• Service, clean, or supply restrooms.
• Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.
• Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.
• Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees.
• Dust furniture, walls, machines, or equipment.
• Clean and polish furniture and fixtures.
• Gather and empty trash.
• Mix water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications.

Tools & Technology

★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)

Education Requirements

Typical entry-level education: High School Diploma

Related Careers

Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners.

A Day in the Life

A typical day for a janitor or cleaner begins with gathering supplies, checking equipment, and reviewing any special cleaning requests or maintenance work orders. Morning tasks often include emptying trash and recycling containers, vacuuming carpeted areas, mopping hard floors, and cleaning and sanitizing restrooms before building occupants arrive. Throughout the day, janitors respond to spill cleanups, restock restroom supplies, and address immediate facility needs as they arise. Depending on the building type, they may operate floor scrubbers, carpet extractors, or pressure washers for deep cleaning tasks. Routine maintenance activities include replacing light bulbs, adjusting thermostats, fixing minor plumbing issues, and performing basic repairs that keep the facility running smoothly. Seasonal tasks may include shoveling snow, salting walkways, cleaning gutters, or maintaining landscaping around building entrances. Evening shift janitors typically perform more intensive cleaning tasks like stripping and waxing floors, deep cleaning carpets, and sanitizing high-touch surfaces after building occupants have left. The work is physically demanding, requiring standing, walking, bending, and lifting throughout the entire shift.

Work Environment

Janitors and cleaners work in virtually every type of building, from small offices and schools to massive hospitals, airports, and industrial complexes. The work is inherently physical, involving constant movement, repetitive motions, lifting supplies and equipment, and working in various positions including kneeling and reaching overhead. Exposure to cleaning chemicals requires proper handling procedures and personal protective equipment, and workers must understand material safety data sheets for products they use. Many janitors work non-traditional hours including early mornings, evenings, nights, and weekends when buildings are less occupied and thorough cleaning can be performed. Indoor environments vary from comfortable office settings to challenging industrial spaces with noise, temperature extremes, and potential hazards. Custodians working in schools interact daily with students and staff, often becoming valued members of the school community despite their behind-the-scenes role. The work can be solitary, particularly during overnight shifts, though team-based cleaning crews are common in larger facilities. Workplace injury rates are moderate, with common risks including slips and falls, chemical exposure, musculoskeletal strain, and equipment-related injuries.

Career Path & Advancement

Janitors and cleaners typically enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent, though many positions have no formal education requirements. New hires receive on-the-job training covering cleaning procedures, chemical handling safety, equipment operation, and building-specific protocols. Experienced janitors may earn certifications from organizations like ISSA or the Building Service Contractors Association International that demonstrate professional competency. Career advancement often leads to lead janitor or crew supervisor positions, overseeing teams of cleaners and managing shift schedules. Facilities maintenance technician roles represent a step up, combining cleaning responsibilities with broader building systems knowledge including HVAC, electrical, and plumbing basics. Experienced professionals can advance to facilities manager or building operations manager positions, overseeing all aspects of building maintenance and managing maintenance budgets. Some janitors start their own cleaning businesses, contracting services to commercial and residential clients with significant income potential. Others transition into specialized roles like hazardous materials cleanup, industrial cleaning, or healthcare environmental services that command higher wages.

Specializations

The janitorial and cleaning profession encompasses several distinct specializations requiring different skills and training. Healthcare environmental services technicians clean hospitals and medical facilities following strict infection control protocols and using specialized disinfection procedures. Industrial cleaners work in manufacturing plants, refineries, and processing facilities, handling hazardous materials and operating specialized equipment. Cleanroom technicians maintain ultra-clean environments for semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, and biotech research. Green cleaning specialists focus on environmentally sustainable cleaning practices using eco-friendly products and methods that minimize environmental impact. Window cleaners specialize in interior and exterior glass cleaning, sometimes working at significant heights on commercial buildings. Carpet and floor care specialists focus on maintaining, restoring, and preserving various flooring types through specialized extraction, stripping, and refinishing techniques. Crime scene and biohazard cleaners perform remediation in environments contaminated with biological materials, requiring specialized training and personal protective equipment. Post-construction cleaners specialize in the detailed cleaning required to prepare new or renovated buildings for occupancy.

Pros & Cons

Industry Insight

The janitorial and cleaning industry has undergone significant transformation, particularly accelerated by heightened sanitation awareness following the COVID-19 pandemic. Enhanced cleaning protocols and disinfection standards have become permanent fixtures in many facilities, elevating the importance and visibility of cleaning professionals. Green cleaning practices using environmentally sustainable products and methods continue to gain adoption as organizations pursue sustainability goals and occupant health certifications. Robotics and automation are beginning to enter the industry with autonomous floor scrubbers and vacuum robots handling routine tasks in large facilities. However, the complex, varied nature of most cleaning work means human janitors remain essential and broadly irreplaceable by current technology. Labor shortages in many markets have driven wage increases and improved benefits packages as employers compete for reliable workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady employment growth for janitors and cleaners, as the ongoing need for clean, maintained buildings ensures consistent demand. Professional certifications and training in infection control, green cleaning, and equipment operation are increasingly valued by employers seeking to professionalize their maintenance operations.