Janitors and Building Cleaners

Summary

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

Quick Facts: Janitors and Building Cleaners
2010 Median Pay	$22,210 per year $10.68 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Less than high school
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	Short-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2010	2,310,400
Job Outlook, 2010-20	11% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	246,400

What Janitors and Building Cleaners 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, but some work outdoors part of the time, sweeping walkways, mowing lawns, or shoveling snow. Because office buildings are usually cleaned while they are empty, many cleaning workers work evening hours. The work can be physically demanding and sometimes dirty and unpleasant.

How to Become a Janitor or Building Cleaner

Most janitors and building cleaning workers learn on the job. They do not need formal education.

Pay

The median hourly wage for janitors and building cleaners was $10.68 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of janitors and building cleaners is expected to grow 11 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. While overall job prospects are expected to be favorable, those with experience are likely to have the best opportunities.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of janitors and building cleaners with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about janitors and building cleaners by contacting these additional resources.

What Janitors and Building Cleaners Do About this section

Janitors and building cleaners wash windows and glass.

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

Duties

Janitors and building cleaners typically do the following:

• Gather and empty trash and trash bins
• Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming them
• Clean bathrooms and stock them with soap, toilet paper, and other supplies
• Keep buildings secure by locking doors
• Clean spills and other hazards using sponges and squeegees
• Wash windows, walls, and glass
• Order cleaning supplies
• Make minor repairs to the building, such as changing light bulbs
• Notify managers when the building needs major repairs

Janitors and building cleaning workers keep office buildings, schools, hospitals, retail stores, hotels, and other places clean, sanitary, and in good condition. Some do only cleaning, 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, or shoveling snow. Some janitors also monitor the 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 and floor buffers.

Some janitors may be responsible for repairing small problems with electricity or plumbing, such as leaky faucets.

Work Environment About this section

Most janitors and building cleaners work indoors, but some may work outdoors.

Janitors and building cleaning workers held about 2.3 million jobs in 2010. About 32 percent were employed in the services to buildings and dwellings industry, and another 14 percent were employed in elementary and secondary schools. The remainder was employed throughout other industries.

Most janitors and building cleaners work indoors, but some work outdoors part of the time, sweeping walkways, mowing lawns, or shoveling snow. They spend most of the day standing, sometimes moving or lifting heavy supplies or equipment. As a result, the work may be strenuous on the back, arms, and legs. And some tasks, such as cleaning bathrooms and trash rooms, can be dirty and unpleasant.  

Injuries

Janitors and building cleaners have one of the highest work-related injury rates. Workers may suffer cuts, bruises, and burns from machines, tools, and chemicals.

Work Schedules

Most janitors and building cleaners work full time, but a significant number work part time. Because office buildings are usually cleaned while they are empty, many cleaning workers work evening hours. Janitors in schools, however, usually work during the day. When there is a need for 24-hour maintenance, janitors may work in shifts. This is particularly true of hospitals and hotels.

How to Become a Janitor or Building Cleaner About this section

Janitors need stamina because they spend much of their time on their feet.

Most janitors and building cleaning workers learn on the job. They do not need formal education.

Education and Training

Most janitors and building cleaners learn on the job. Beginners typically work with a more experienced janitor or cleaner, learning how to use and maintain machines, such as wet-and-dry vacuums and floor buffers and polishers. They may also learn on the job how to repair minor problems with the electricity or plumbing.

Janitors and building cleaners should be able to do simple arithmetic and follow instructions. High school shop courses are generally helpful for jobs involving repair work.

Certification

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

Important Qualities

Interpersonal skills. Janitors and building cleaners must get along well with other cleaners, the people who live or work in the buildings they clean, and their supervisors.

Mechanical skills. Janitors and building cleaners should understand general building operations. They should be able to make routine repairs, such as changing light bulbs and repairing leaky faucets. 

Physical strength. Janitors and building cleaners should be able to lift and move cleaning materials and heavy equipment. Cases of liquid cleaner are often very heavy, so workers should be able to lift them without injuring their back.

Stamina. Janitors and building cleaners should be able to spend most of their time on their feet—lifting or moving supplies or equipment and tools—without tiring.

Pay About this section

The median hourly wage for janitors and building cleaners was $10.68 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than the amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.86 per hour, and the top 10 percent earned more than $17.88 per hour.

In May 2010, the median hourly wages in industries employing some of the largest numbers of janitors and building cleaners were as follows:

Most janitors and building cleaners work full time. Because office buildings are usually cleaned while they are empty, many cleaning workers work evening hours. When there is a need for 24-hour maintenance, janitors may work in shifts. This is particularly true of hospitals and hotels.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of janitors and building cleaners is expected to grow 11 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Many new jobs are expected in facilities related to health care, as this industry is expected to grow rapidly. In addition, as more companies outsource their cleaning services, janitorial contractors are likely to benefit and experience demand.  However, employment growth is expected to be tempered as fewer new buildings are built over the projections decade.

Job Prospects

Job prospects are expected to be favorable. Those with experience should have the best job opportunities. Most job openings will come from the need to replace many workers who leave or retire from this very large occupation.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about janitors and building cleaners, visit

Building Service Contractors Association International  

Association of Residential Cleaning Services International

International Sanitary Supply Association

Information about janitorial and building cleaning jobs is available from state employment service offices.