How to become Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleanerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Cleaning & Building Services Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$36,840

25th–75th pct. $32,240–$44,060

Top pay (est.)

$65,400

Top 10% $50,270

Pay in 5 years

$43,000est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$50,200est.

$43,100–$58,200

Outlook score

50/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

20%

Very low

Job growth (10 yr)

+2.2%

322K openings / yr

How to become Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

Typical education

No formal educational credential

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Short-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

Key skills

Monitoring

2.2

Coordination

2.2

Active Listening

2.2

Reading Comprehension

2.2

Writing

2.2

Service Orientation

2.2

Complex Problem Solving

2.1

Social Perceptiveness

2.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Administration and Management

2.8

Public Safety and Security

2.6

Customer and Personal Service

2.1

English Language

2.0

Transportation

1.5

Physics

1.2

Education and Training

1.2

Production and Processing

1.2

What the work involves

Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgePerforming General Physical ActivitiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesHandling and Moving ObjectsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Important abilities

Near VisionTrunk StrengthStatic StrengthExtent FlexibilityOral ExpressionOral Comprehension

Education of workers

Less than high school

14%

Training before entry

None / short demo

15%

6–12 months

10%

Related work experience

None

19%

Up to 1 month

16%

1–3 months

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment.	$39,150	59/100	16%
2	Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner.	$35,510	48/100	22%
3	First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers Directly supervise and coordinate work activities of cleaning personnel in hotels, hospitals, offices, and other establishments.	$49,100	56/100	36%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities.	$58,430	70/100	16%
5	Pest Control Workers Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.	$45,250	60/100	20%
6	Tree Trimmers and Pruners Using sophisticated climbing and rigging techniques, cut away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to maintain right-of-way for roads, sidewalks, or utilities, or to improve appearance, health, and value of tree.	$50,960	70/100	8%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.