Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Janitors and building cleaners keep many types of buildings clean, sanitary, orderly, and in good condition.
Is janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners a good career?
It scores 44/100 and ranks #52 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- High volume of openings — about 351,300 a year
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($36,840 vs $61,390)
- Slower-than-average projected growth (+2.0%)
What janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners earn between $32,240 and $44,060 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners jobs
No live janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners openings yet
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- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow slower than average through 2034.
Education
Janitors and building cleaners typically do not need a formal educational credential to qualify for entry-level jobs. But for some positions, they may need to have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Elective high school courses, such as in industrial arts, may be helpful for occupations involving repair.
Training
Most janitors and building cleaners learn on the job. Beginners typically work with a more experienced janitor, learning how to use and maintain equipment such as vacuums, floor buffers, and other equipment and tools. They also may learn how to repair minor electrical and plumbing problems.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Although not required, certification demonstrates competence and may make applicants more appealing to employers.
Important qualities
Interpersonal skills. Janitors and building cleaners must interact well with other cleaners and the people who live or work in the buildings they service.
Mechanical skills. Janitors and building cleaners need to understand general building operations and should be able to make routine repairs, such as to leaky faucets.
Physical stamina. Janitors and building cleaners spend most of their workday standing to operate cleaning equipment.
Physical strength. Janitors and building cleaners often must lift and move heavy cleaning materials and equipment.
Time-management skills. Janitors and building cleaners must plan and complete tasks in a timely manner.
Related occupations
How much do janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners make?
The national median wage is $36,840 a year, with the middle half earning between $32,240 and $44,060 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 44 of 100 and ranks #52 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +2.0% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaner?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential.
Where do janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners earn the most?
Among states, Massachusetts pays the highest median ($45,580). Local pay for every state and metro is below.