Occupation · SOC 37-2012
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. Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.
Median wage
$34,660
$26,800–$47,590
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
854,910
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
8 mapped
Core skills
Service OrientationTime ManagementCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingMonitoringCritical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionWritingPersuasionNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringTroubleshootingMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesOperation and ControlManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment SelectionOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignScienceRepairingProgrammingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementChemistryEducation and TrainingProduction and ProcessingCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesTelecommunicationsComputers and ElectronicsForeign LanguageLaw and GovernmentPsychologySales and MarketingMathematicsEconomics and AccountingMechanicalFood ProductionAdministrativePhilosophy and TheologyMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyTransportationEngineering and TechnologyPhysicsDesignBuilding and ConstructionGeographyBiologyHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
BlinkComputerized bed control system softwareComputerized maintenance management system CMMSEkoEmail softwareFacebookInventory tracking softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Windows
Representative tasks
Performing General Physical ActivitiesAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersProcessing InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDocumenting/Recording InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesTraining and Teaching OthersCoaching and Developing OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsDeveloping and Building TeamsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleControlling Machines and ProcessesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesThinking CreativelyAnalyzing Data or InformationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsWorking with ComputersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Cleaning supplies and equipment — identify and retrieve under direct supervision from a stocked storage cart in a hotel or facility setting.Wastebaskets and trash receptacles — empty and transport to designated disposal areas following established protocols on an assigned floor.Wheeled housekeeping carts — load with linens, towels, and toilet items under supervisor guidance before beginning a shift.Brooms and mops — sweep and mop hard floors following step-by-step instructions in guest rooms and corridors.Vacuum cleaners — operate on rugs and carpeted surfaces under direction to remove visible debris in standard guest rooms.Supply replenishment tasks — restock drinking glasses, writing supplies, and bathroom amenities in guest rooms as directed by a room checklist.Health and sanitation standards — recognize and follow basic cleanliness protocols when cleaning restrooms and common areas.Windows and walls — wipe down surfaces using provided cleaning solutions under close supervision in assigned work areas.Oral instructions from supervisors — listen and respond appropriately to task assignments communicated verbally at the start of a shift.Storage areas and carts — keep tidy and organized with guidance, reporting low stock levels to a supervisor in a commercial facility.
developing
Assigned guest rooms and common areas — clean to established health standards routinely and with minimal oversight in a hotel or residential facility.Housekeeping carts — stock, organize, and transport independently at the start of each shift, anticipating supply needs for an assigned section.Floor care equipment including powered scrubbing and waxing machines — operate safely and effectively on a variety of hard floor surfaces in corridors and lobbies.Rugs and upholstered furniture — vacuum and shampoo on a scheduled rotation using standard equipment in multi-room facility environments.Trash, waste, and ashtray contents — collect, remove, and dispose of efficiently across an entire assigned floor within shift time constraints.Bathroom and guestroom supplies — replenish linens, toiletries, and amenities accurately against room status lists with reduced supervisor check-ins.Windows, ceilings, walls, and woodwork — wash, wax, and polish on routine cycles using appropriate techniques and cleaning agents.Time management during shift — sequence room-cleaning tasks to complete all assigned spaces within scheduled hours in a busy lodging environment.Inventory tracking tools and basic software — log supply usage and flag reorder needs using facility management or inventory software.Guest interactions — respond courteously and helpfully to basic service requests encountered while working in occupied or semi-occupied spaces.
proficient
Full housekeeping scope across rooms, hallways, restrooms, elevators, and stairways — complete autonomously to meet or exceed facility health and brand standards.Non-routine cleaning situations such as spills, biohazards, or deep-clean requests — assess and address independently using proper materials and procedures.Cleaning supply inventory — monitor, reconcile, and reorder using inventory management or materials logistics software to prevent service disruption.Powered floor-care machinery — select appropriate equipment and settings for each floor type and condition, achieving consistent quality results without supervision.Upholstered furniture, draperies, and specialty surfaces — apply targeted cleaning methods to restore condition and appearance in high-traffic facility areas.Storage room organization systems — design and maintain efficient layouts that support fast cart loading and accurate par-level management.Shift scheduling and workload coordination — self-manage task sequencing across a large room count, adapting to late check-outs or priority assignments.Public safety and security protocols — recognize and respond appropriately to security concerns, lost items, or safety hazards encountered during cleaning rounds.Peer support and informal coaching — demonstrate correct techniques and standards to newer colleagues during shared shifts in hotel or commercial settings.Quality self-inspection — audit completed rooms and spaces against a detailed checklist, identifying and correcting deficiencies before supervisor review.
advanced
Departmental cleaning standards and SOPs — develop, document, and implement facility-wide housekeeping protocols that meet regulatory and brand requirements.Housekeeping team performance — lead, schedule, and coach a team of cleaners, setting daily priorities and ensuring consistent service delivery across all shifts.Supply chain and inventory strategy — oversee procurement, vendor relationships, and stock-level planning using integrated facilities management and logistics software.New employee onboarding — design and deliver structured on-the-job training programs that build competency in cleaning techniques, safety, and guest service.Quality assurance program — establish inspection cycles, scoring criteria, and corrective-action processes that drive continuous improvement across the housekeeping operation.Health and sanitation compliance — ensure the entire facility meets applicable public health, OSHA, and brand-specific standards through systematic auditing and staff direction.Cross-departmental coordination — collaborate with front office, maintenance, and management teams to align housekeeping workflows with occupancy forecasts and special events.Budget and resource management — plan labor hours, equipment maintenance schedules, and supply expenditures to achieve departmental cost targets in a large facility.Technology adoption — evaluate and implement housekeeping task management, communication, and inventory software to improve operational efficiency at the organizational level.Guest satisfaction outcomes — analyze service feedback, identify root causes of cleanliness complaints, and lead initiatives that measurably improve guest experience scores.
Also known as
67 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Bed MakerBunk House WorkerButlerCabin CleanerChambermaidCharwomanCleanerCleaning MaidCleaning MatronCleaning PorterCleaning Team MemberCommercial HousekeeperCottage AttendantCurtain WorkerDining Room MaidDomestic HelperDomestic Laundry WorkerDomestic MaidDormitory MaidDownstairs MaidDrapery WorkerEnvironmental Services AideEnvironmental Services WorkerFurniture DusterGeneral House WorkerGuest Room Attendant (GRA)Hall WorkerHome HousekeeperHospital CleanerHospitality Team MemberHotel MaidHouse AttendantHouse CleanerHouse WorkerHousecleanerHousehold WorkerHousekeeperHousekeeping AttendantHousekeeping CleanerHousekeeping Department Worker