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
Active ListeningSpeaking
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Desktop communications softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Service, clean, or supply restrooms.Gather and empty trash.Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.Monitor building security and safety by performing tasks such as locking doors after operating hours or checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created.Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.Mix water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications.Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees.Dust furniture, walls, machines, or equipment.Requisition supplies or equipment needed for cleaning and maintenance duties.Clean and polish furniture and fixtures.Move heavy furniture, equipment, or supplies, either manually or with hand trucks.Strip, seal, finish, and polish floors.Remove snow from sidewalks, driveways, or parking areas, using snowplows, snow blowers, or snow shovels, or spread snow-melting chemicals.Make adjustments or minor repairs to heating, cooling, ventilating, plumbing, or electrical systems.Drive vans, industrial trucks, or other vehicles required to travel to, or to perform, cleaning work.Set up, arrange, or remove decorations, tables, chairs, ladders, or scaffolding to prepare facilities for events, such as banquets or meetings.Spray insecticides or fumigants to prevent insect or rodent infestation.Clean chimneys, flues, and connecting pipes, using power or hand tools.Mow or trim lawns or shrubbery, using mowers or hand or power trimmers, and clear debris from grounds.Steam-clean or shampoo carpets.
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
126 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Change-House AttendantCarpet CleanerWindow CleanerUtility PorterMulti-Story Window Cleaner (Multiple-Story Window Cleaner)Food Service Attendant (Navy 002795)SweeperLamp ReplacerIndustrial CleanerJanitorial AssociateNight CleanerFloor BufferLabor CustodianStation Cleaning PorterBarracks and Grounds Marine (Marine Corps 8911)School JanitorJanitorial WorkerBlinds WasherCustodial Maintenance WorkerInstitutional CleanerUtility PersonIndustrial Plant CustodianCleaning HelperChimney SweepWallpaper CleanerFloor CleanerSchool CustodianPool CleanerWall CleanerBrass CleanerHome Restoration Service CleanerHall CleanerFloor Technician (Floor Tech)Maintenance HelperCommercial CleanerCleaner, Home Restoration ServiceAirport AttendantMarine Aide (Marine Corps 3372)Building AttendantTobacco Sweeper