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Commercial Real Estate
CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Janitors and cleaners keep floors, windows, restrooms, and common areas usable in places like schools, offices, hospitals, and factories. The work is straightforward but physically demanding, and the main tradeoff is easy entry and steady openings versus modest pay and a schedule that often happens after hours when buildings are empty.
Also known as CustodianJanitorBuilding CustodianCustodial WorkerFacilities Custodian
Median Salary
$35,930
Mean $37,460
U.S. Workforce
~2.2M
351.3K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+2%
2447.7K to 2495.5K
Entry Education
No formal educational credential
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~2.2M workers, with a median annual pay of $35,930 and roughly 351.3K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 2447.7 K in 2024 to 2495.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with No formal educational credential, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Cleaning Assistant and can progress toward Building Services Manager. High-value skills usually include Ride-On/Walk-Behind Floor Scrubbers & Burnishers, Wet/Dry Vacuums, Mops & Extractors, and Cleaning Chemicals, Dilution Ratios & SDS Safety, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Speaking, and Coordination.
Core Responsibilities
- Sweep, mop, vacuum, and scrub floors so hallways, lobbies, and rooms stay clean and safe.
- Wash windows, mirrors, and glass doors to remove smudges and buildup.
- Mix and use cleaning products the right way so surfaces and equipment are not damaged.
- Clean, disinfect, and restock restrooms and other shared spaces.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Sweep, mop, vacuum, and scrub floors so hallways, lobbies, and rooms stay clean and safe.
02 Wash windows, mirrors, and glass doors to remove smudges and buildup.
03 Mix and use cleaning products the right way so surfaces and equipment are not damaged.
04 Clean, disinfect, and restock restrooms and other shared spaces.
05 Dust and wipe down furniture, fixtures, walls, and equipment surfaces.
06 Collect trash, empty bins, and prepare supplies for the next shift.
Industries That Hire
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Healthcare
Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, HCA Healthcare
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Education
Harvard University, New York University, University of California
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Hospitality
Marriott International, Hilton, Hyatt
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Government
U.S. General Services Administration, City of Los Angeles, State of California
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Manufacturing
Toyota, General Motors, 3M
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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It is one of the easiest jobs to enter: BLS says no formal educational credential is usually needed, and training is short-term and on the job.
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There are a lot of openings every year, with 351.3K annual openings giving job seekers many chances to get hired.
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Demand is spread across schools, hospitals, offices, and factories, so you are not tied to just one type of employer.
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The work is routine and easy to understand, which can make day-to-day expectations clear even in a busy building.
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It can be a practical path into facilities work, with chances to move into lead or supervisor roles without a college degree.
Challenges
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The pay is modest for a job that is often physical: the median is $35,930 a year and the mean is $37,460.
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A lot of the work involves standing, bending, lifting, and repeated movement, so the job can be hard on your body over time.
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Growth is only 2.0% through 2034, so the field is expanding slowly and is not likely to create dramatic wage pressure upward.
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Because the work is easy to outsource or contract out, many workers have limited bargaining power and fewer paths to higher pay.
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The low barrier to entry is also a ceiling: short-term training gets people in the door quickly, but moving up usually requires taking on supervision, maintenance, or facilities-management duties.
Career Progression
Cleaning Assistant
0-1 years
$28K-$32K
Learns basic cleaning routines, equipment handling, and safety procedures while working under close supervision.
Janitor / Custodian
1-4 years
$33K-$40K
Handles routine cleaning for rooms, restrooms, and common areas and is often trusted to work on a regular schedule with little oversight.
Lead Custodian THIS ROLE
4-8 years
$41K-$49K
Checks the quality of cleaning work, organizes supplies, and may train newer workers or cover larger areas.
Facilities Supervisor
8-12 years
$50K-$63K
Coordinates crews, responds to service requests, and keeps cleaning standards consistent across a building or campus.
Building Services Manager
12+ years
$64K-$82K
Oversees budgets, staffing, vendor contracts, and the day-to-day condition of multiple facilities.
Education Paths
No formal educational credential
BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry point, and O*NET shows 13.51% of workers in this occupation have less than a high school diploma.
Short-term on-the-job training
Most employers teach the cleaning routines, equipment use, and safety rules on site, so you can usually start with little prior experience.
High school diploma or GED
A diploma or GED can help with reading labels, following schedules, and applying to larger employers, even though it is not usually required.
Custodial or janitorial certificate
A short certificate in floor care, cleaning safety, or OSHA basics can help you stand out for better-paying openings.
Key Skills
Technical
Ride-On/Walk-Behind Floor Scrubbers & Burnishers 76%
Wet/Dry Vacuums, Mops & Extractors 74%
Cleaning Chemicals, Dilution Ratios & SDS Safety 73%
Restroom Sanitation & Supply Replenishment 71%
Trash Removal, Recycling & Waste Sorting 69%
CMMS Work Orders (ServiceChannel, FMX) 66%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningSpeakingCoordinationCritical ThinkingMonitoringTime Management Job Outlook and Trends
+2%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
351.3K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 2447.7K to 2495.5 K over the next decade, representing 2% growth. Around 351.3 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.