Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Janitors and cleaners maintain buildings by performing heavy cleaning tasks such as mopping floors, washing windows, shampooing carpets, and removing trash. They work in offices, schools, hospitals, factories, and other commercial or institutional buildings. Some positions also involve basic maintenance duties like tending furnaces or notifying management of needed repairs.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves cleaning assigned areas on a regular schedule, often during early morning, evening, or night shifts when buildings are less occupied. Tasks include vacuuming and waxing floors, cleaning bathrooms, dusting surfaces, and taking out garbage. Workers may operate cleaning equipment like floor buffers or carpet extractors. In winter months, snow removal and sidewalk maintenance may be added responsibilities.
Who this work suits
Holland code RCS. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You tend to like this work if you prefer practical, hands-on tasks and enjoy seeing immediate, visible results from your effort. You work well with established routines and procedures, take pride in maintaining clean spaces, and are reliable about following schedules and building-specific cleaning standards.
What it takes
Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Custodial Worker (Janitor) · Air Force Global Strike Command · Malmstrom AFB, Montana · $18.23–$21.27
- Child and Youth Program Custodian · Commander, Navy Installations Command · Annapolis, Maryland · $17.97–$17.97
- Child & Youth Program Custodian · Commander, Navy Installations Command · Newport News, Virginia · $18.4–$18.4
- Child and Youth Program Custodian · Commander, Navy Installations Command · Colts Neck, New Jersey · $18.02–$18.02
- CUSTODIAL WORKER (JANITOR) · Air Combat Command · Fort Eustis, Virginia · $18.4–$18.4
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $37,560 | $45,580 | $49,720 | 55,490 |
| Washington | $39,020 | $45,520 | $53,920 | 47,380 |
| New York | $36,360 | $41,640 | $50,100 | 195,250 |
| California | $36,830 | $41,090 | $48,250 | 234,240 |
| Vermont | $37,050 | $40,910 | $46,500 | 5,130 |
| Alaska | $35,610 | $40,510 | $47,760 | 5,200 |
| Minnesota | $36,040 | $39,610 | $46,330 | 42,300 |
| Oregon | $36,080 | $39,340 | $46,650 | 25,890 |
| New Hampshire | $35,310 | $39,150 | $47,120 | 9,420 |
| Maine | $36,300 | $38,940 | $45,600 | 9,180 |
| Colorado | $36,880 | $38,600 | $46,000 | 34,220 |
| District of Columbia | $37,840 | $38,520 | $41,720 | 16,400 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Carpet Cleaning Technician (CCT) — Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification
- Stone, Masonry and Ceramic Tile Cleaning Technician (SMT) — Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification
- Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning Technician (UFT) — Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification
- Rug Cleaning Technician (RCT) — Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification
- Master Textile Cleaner (JTC) — Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification
- Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) — National Air Ducts Cleaning Association
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
and 38 more
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 37-2011.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.