Occupation · SOC 37-2019
Building Cleaning Workers, All Other
All building cleaning workers not listed separately.
Median wage
$42,360
$30,640–$61,640
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
16,370
Job Zone —
Core skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingTime ManagementMonitoringCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessService Orientation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementEducation and Training
Technology & tools
Web page creation and editing softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Supervise in-house services, such as laundries, maintenance and repair, dry cleaning, or valet serviSelect the most suitable cleaning materials for different types of linens, furniture, flooring, and Advise managers, desk clerks, or admitting personnel of rooms ready for occupancy.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic cleaning materials and supplies — identify and select under direct supervision when assigned to standard room-turnover tasks in a hotel or institutional setting.Room readiness status — report verbally to a desk clerk or supervisor after completing an assigned guest room under close guidance.Cleaning schedules and task checklists — follow step-by-step to complete daily cleaning duties in an assigned zone of a commercial facility.Common linen types and fabric care labels — recognize and sort correctly prior to laundering under the direction of a lead cleaning worker.Safety protocols and chemical-handling guidelines — observe and apply when using cleaning agents in occupied or recently vacated spaces.Hand tools and basic cleaning equipment — operate under supervision to vacuum, mop, and sanitize surfaces according to facility standards.Oral instructions from supervisors — listen actively and confirm understanding before beginning assigned cleaning or maintenance tasks.Near-vision inspection skills — apply to detect visible soil, stains, or damage on linens and surfaces before and after routine cleaning.Email or messaging software — use at a basic level to receive task assignments and communicate shift updates to a supervisor.Time awareness on assigned tasks — track personal pace against a basic schedule to complete room or area assignments within an allotted shift.
developing
Cleaning material selection — evaluate and choose appropriate products for varied surface types, including upholstery, hardwood, tile, and glass, with minimal supervisor input in a lodging or healthcare environment.Room occupancy readiness — advise desk clerks or admitting personnel of room status accurately and promptly after completing inspection of multiple units during a shift.Work quality checks — inspect completed cleaning tasks against established standards and document deficiencies using a facility checklist or electronic log.Laundry and valet service workflows — coordinate daily operations for an in-house laundry unit, ensuring linen turnaround meets occupancy demand with reduced oversight.Team task allocation — coordinate cleaning assignments among a small group of workers to maintain consistent coverage across multiple floors or zones.Scheduling software or spreadsheets — use to track room statuses, supply inventories, or staff assignments within a department management system.Guest or client concerns — respond with social perceptiveness and service orientation to resolve minor complaints about room condition or cleaning quality.Maintenance and repair needs — identify during routine inspection and communicate findings to the facilities team using established reporting procedures.Chemical safety and public safety standards — apply knowledge of product dilution ratios and disposal requirements to maintain a compliant, hazard-free workspace.Personal time management — plan and sequence cleaning assignments across a full shift to meet productivity targets without direct supervision.
proficient
Cleaning and materials standards — establish and enforce product-selection criteria for diverse substrates including specialty flooring, antique furniture, and sensitive medical-grade surfaces across an entire facility.Occupancy coordination — autonomously manage real-time communication between housekeeping staff and front-desk or admitting personnel to optimize room availability and guest flow.Quality inspection program — conduct systematic audits of completed work across multiple departments, identify recurring deficiencies, and implement corrective measures to meet contractual or regulatory specifications.In-house service supervision — oversee laundry, dry cleaning, maintenance, and valet services simultaneously, resolving operational bottlenecks and staffing gaps without escalation to upper management.Non-routine cleaning challenges — apply critical thinking to develop solutions for specialty situations such as biohazard cleanup procedures, restoration after events, or remediation of persistent odors.Database and reporting tools — query and maintain departmental records of room statuses, supply usage, and staff productivity to support operational decision-making.Training delivery — instruct new and junior cleaning workers on technique, safety compliance, and quality standards using structured demonstrations in a live facility environment.Performance monitoring — track team output metrics against established key performance indicators and adjust workload distribution to sustain service levels during peak occupancy.Cross-functional coordination — liaise with engineering, food and beverage, and front-office teams to align housekeeping operations with broader facility scheduling and guest-service goals.Vendor and supply management — evaluate cleaning product suppliers, negotiate order quantities, and ensure adequate stock levels to prevent service interruptions across a full property.
advanced
Departmental strategy — develop and implement a multi-year operational plan for building cleaning services aligned with organizational goals, budget constraints, and regulatory requirements across a large facility portfolio.Standards and policy development — author facility-wide cleaning specifications, materials-use policies, and inspection protocols that set benchmarks for quality and safety compliance.Leadership and workforce development — design onboarding curricula and ongoing training programs that build technical and professional competency throughout a cleaning and grounds department.Organizational quality governance — establish a continuous-improvement framework for work inspection and performance measurement, using data-driven analysis to drive sustained operational excellence.Senior stakeholder communication — present operational performance reports and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, ownership groups, or accreditation bodies using professional presentation software.Budget and resource stewardship — lead departmental budget planning, monitor expenditures against forecasts, and identify cost-reduction opportunities without compromising service quality or staff safety.Technology adoption — evaluate and implement facility management software, database systems, and digital scheduling tools to modernize departmental operations and improve data visibility.Interdepartmental and external coordination — direct cross-functional initiatives involving engineering, administration, and contracted service vendors to achieve unified facility maintenance outcomes.Compliance and risk leadership — oversee adherence to public safety, environmental, and occupational health regulations across all cleaning operations, serving as the accountable authority during inspections or audits.Organizational culture and integrity — model and champion professional standards of dependability, ethical conduct, and attention to detail that shape the performance culture of an entire building services division.
Also known as
13 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Air Purifier ServicerBuilding Pressure WasherCampground AttendantChimney SweepChimney SweeperDisease Control InspectorDuct CleanerHand Rug CleanerInsect Control InspectorLight Fixture ServicerRug CleanerTree Trimmer HelperWeed Control Inspector