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Career overview · SOC 37-2011

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

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.

Also called: Building Custodian · Building Services Technician (Building Services Tech) · Building Services Worker · Cleaner · Custodial Worker · Custodian

Median pay (national)
$35,930
$27,570–$49,040 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
2,199,900
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+2%
~351,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $49,040 versus $27,570 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $35,930 leaves roughly 36% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +2% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 351,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, Massachusetts pays the most for this role (median $44,570, +24% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $20,560 — a 117% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Active Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.
  • Requisition supplies or equipment needed for cleaning and maintenance duties.
  • Move heavy furniture, equipment, or supplies, either manually or with hand trucks.

Tools & technology

  • Eko
  • Squeegee
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word

Knowledge areas

  • Public Safety and Security
  • Administration and Management
  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Transportation
  • Law and Government
  • Telecommunications
  • Personnel and Human Resources