Occupation · SOC 37-2011
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.
Median wage
$35,930
$27,570–$49,040
Projected growth
+1.9%
Slower than average
Annual openings
4,780
per year
Employed (US)
2,199,900
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
11 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingActive ListeningTime ManagementMonitoringCritical ThinkingCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessActive LearningService OrientationReading ComprehensionWritingJudgment and Decision MakingOperations MonitoringComplex Problem SolvingTroubleshootingPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesInstructingSystems AnalysisRepairingQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlNegotiationEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceSystems EvaluationManagement of Material ResourcesMathematicsManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignProgrammingOperations AnalysisScienceInstallation
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceTransportationLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsPersonnel and Human ResourcesCommunications and MediaAdministrativePhysicsEducation and TrainingMechanicalEconomics and AccountingProduction and ProcessingChemistryPhilosophy and TheologyComputers and ElectronicsMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyFood ProductionPsychologyForeign LanguageGeographyMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingBuilding and ConstructionDesignSales and MarketingSociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyFine ArtsBiology
Technology & tools
EkoMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordOperating system softwareSqueegee
Representative tasks
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsGetting InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersThinking CreativelyScheduling Work and ActivitiesTraining and Teaching OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDocumenting/Recording InformationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCoaching and Developing OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicControlling Machines and ProcessesWorking with ComputersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesAnalyzing Data or InformationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersCommunicating with People Outside the Organization
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Daily cleaning routine on an assigned route — execute per spec under a lead custodian's review.Cleaning chemicals and dilution ratios — apply per SDS and facility standards under supervision.PPE for the chemical and task — select and wear consistently across the shift.Vacuum cleaners, mops, buffers, and dust mops — use correctly on common floor surfaces.Restroom cleaning and stocking — perform to facility standards per cleaning frequency.Common biohazard incidents (blood, vomit, urine) — clean per bloodborne-pathogen protocol with lead oversight.Refuse and recycling — handle correctly through dock and bailing routines.Daily-task checklists — complete accurately and submit to the lead.Slip-trip-fall hazards — recognize and remediate (signage, drying, blocking) on every shift.Lockout/tagout for cleaning equipment — apply per OSHA and facility procedure.
developing
An entire wing, floor, or building — cover independently across a routine shift.Project work (carpet extraction, hard-floor recoat, window washing) — execute reliably with reduced oversight.Equipment troubleshooting and minor repair — handle on routine vacuum, scrubber, and buffer issues.Inventory of cleaning supplies for the assigned area — manage and request reorders.Customer-facing interactions in occupied buildings — handle professionally per facility standards.Newer custodians on routes — orient during their first weeks.Specialty-area protocols (healthcare ORs, food service, classrooms) — apply within facility scope.Cleaning-process documentation — complete per facility's quality and audit systems.Schedule and shift handoffs — coordinate with cross-shift peers cleanly.Emergency-response cleanup (spills, floods, weather events) — execute as part of a team.
proficient
An entire building or campus zone — own across multiple shifts and worker assignments.Crew-lead responsibilities — coordinate 5-12 custodians during a shift.Project-cleaning programs (annual carpet, biannual floor strip-and-recoat) — plan and execute.Specialty certifications (cleaning management, IICRC, BICSc) — earn and apply in the practice.Customer relationships at occupied-facility level — develop trust with tenants and building staff.Newer leads and crew members — mentor on technique, equipment, and customer service.Quality audits and inspections — represent the team in walkthrough reviews.Equipment selection and minor capital recommendations — partner with management on tools.Process improvements and time studies — propose and implement at building level.Cross-functional collaboration with maintenance, security, and operations — coordinate on building-level needs.
advanced
Multi-building portfolio — supervise as area or operations supervisor.Crew hiring, training, and performance management — shape the team across multi-year horizons.Facility-management budgets and chemical/equipment purchasing — own at zone level.Customer-account relationship for BSC-contracted accounts — own through renewals and growth.Major emergency response (water damage, biohazard, post-construction cleanup) — lead with composure.Compliance programs (OSHA, EPA, healthcare cleaning standards) — own across the operation.Crew-culture and safety — set and sustain through standards, training, and example.Vendor and equipment partnerships — manage at portfolio level.Career pathways into facilities maintenance, supervisor, or operations management — develop with intent.Operating standards and quality programs — set and audit across the portfolio.
Also known as
110 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Airport AttendantAlley CleanerBlinds CleanerBlinds WasherBrass CleanerBrass PolisherBuilding AttendantBuilding CustodianBuilding Exterior CleanerBuilding Maintenance CustodianBuilding Services Technician (Building Services Tech)Building Services WorkerCamp AttendantCamp TenderCampground Cleaning AttendantCarpet CleanerCarpet Cleaning Technician (Carpet Cleaning Tech)Casino PorterChange House AttendantChimney SweepChore WorkerCleanerCleaning and Maintenance WorkerCleaning CustodianCleaning HandymanCleaning HelperCleaning LaborerCleaning PorterCleaning Technician (Cleaning Tech)Coach CleanerCommercial CleanerCustodial AideCustodial EngineerCustodial LaborerCustodial Maintenance WorkerCustodial WorkerCustodianDay PorterDormitory KeeperDuct Cleaner