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Nature of the Work
(D.O.T. 321.137-010, -014; 323.137-010, .687; 350.137-026; 358.687-010; 381.137-010, .687 except -010; 382.664-010; 389.667-010, .683-010, .687-014; 739.687-198; 891.687-010 and -018; and 952.687-010)
* Job openings should be plentiful because limited training requirements coupled with low pay and numerous part-time and temporary jobs contribute to high turnover in this very large occupation.
Janitors and cleaners—also called building custodians, executive housekeepers, or maids—keep office buildings, hospitals, stores, apartment houses, hotels, and other types of buildings clean and in good condition. Some only do cleaning, while others have a wide range of duties. They may fix leaky faucets, empty trash cans, do painting and carpentry, replenish bathroom supplies, mow lawns, and see that heating and air-conditioning equipment works properly. On a typical day, janitors may wet- or dry-mop floors, clean bathrooms, vacuum carpets, dust furniture, make minor repairs, and exterminate insects and rodents. In hospitals, where they are mostly known as maids or housekeepers, they may also wash bed frames, brush mattresses, make beds, and disinfect and sterilize equipment and supplies using germicides and sterilizing equipment. In hotels, aside from cleaning and maintaining the premises, they may deliver ironing boards, cribs, and rollaway beds to guests' rooms.
Janitors and cleaners use various equipment, tools, and cleaning materials. For one job, they may need a mop and bucket; for another, an electric polishing machine and a special cleaning solution. Improved building materials, chemical cleaners, and power equipment have made many tasks easier and less time-consuming, but janitors must learn proper use of equipment and cleaners to avoid harming floors, fixtures, and themselves.
Cleaning supervisors coordinate, schedule, and supervise the activities of janitors and cleaners. They assign tasks and inspect building areas to see that work has been done properly, issue supplies and equipment, inventory stocks to ensure an adequate amount of supplies is present, screen and hire job applicants, and recommend promotions, transfers, or dismissals. They also train new and experienced employees. Supervisors may prepare reports concerning room occupancy, hours worked, and department expenses. Some also perform cleaning duties.
Because most office buildings are cleaned while they are empty, many cleaners work evening hours. Some, however, such as school and hospital custodians, work in the daytime. When there is a need for 24-hour maintenance, janitors may be assigned to shifts. Most full-time janitors, cleaners, and cleaning supervisors work about 40 hours a week. Part-time cleaners usually work in the evenings and on weekends.
Janitors, cleaners, and cleaning supervisors in large office and residential buildings often work in teams. These teams consist of workers who specialize in vacuuming, trash pickup, and restroom cleaning, among other things. Supervisors conduct inspections to ensure the building is cleaned properly and the team is functioning efficiently.
Janitors and cleaners usually work inside heated, well-lighted buildings. However, they sometimes work outdoors sweeping walkways, mowing lawns, or shoveling snow. Working with machines can be noisy, and some tasks, such as cleaning bathrooms and trash rooms, can be dirty and unpleasant. Janitors may suffer cuts, bruises, and burns from machines, handtools, and chemicals. They spend most of their time on their feet, sometimes lifting or pushing heavy furniture or equipment. Many tasks, such as dusting or sweeping, require constant bending, stooping, and stretching. As a result, janitors may also suffer back injuries and sprains.
Janitors and cleaners, including cleaning supervisors, held over 3.2 million jobs in 1996. About a third worked part time (more than 35 hours a week).
About 19 out of 20 jobs are held by janitors and cleaners. They worked in every type of establishment. About 24 percent worked for firms supplying building maintenance services on a contract basis; 16 percent, in educational institutions; and 14 percent, in hotels. Other employers included hospitals, restaurants, religious institutions, manufacturing firms, government agencies, and operators of apartment buildings, office buildings, and other types of real estate.
Cleaning supervisors held about 1 job in 20. About 37 percent were employed in hotels; 20 percent, in firms supplying building maintenance services on a contract basis; 15 percent, in hospitals; and 12 percent, in nursing and personal care facilities. Other employers included educational institutions, residential care establishments, and amusement and recreation facilities.
Although cleaning jobs can be found in all cities and towns, most are located in highly populated areas where there are many office buildings, schools, apartment houses, and hospitals.
No special education is required for most cleaning jobs, but beginners should know simple arithmetic and be able to follow instructions. High school shop courses are helpful for jobs involving repair work.
Most janitors and cleaners learn their skills on the job. Usually, beginners work with an experienced cleaner, doing routine cleaning. They are given more complicated work as they gain experience.
In some cities, programs run by unions, government agencies, or employers teach janitorial skills. Students learn how to clean buildings thoroughly and efficiently, how to select and safely use various cleansing agents, and how to operate and maintain machines, such as wet and dry vacuums, buffers, and polishers. Students learn to plan their work, to follow safety and health regulations, to interact positively with people in the buildings they clean, and to work without supervision. Instruction in minor electrical, plumbing, and other repairs may also be given. Those who come in contact with the public should have good communication skills. Employers usually look for dependable, hard-working individuals who are in good health, follow directions well, and get along with other people.
Janitors and cleaners usually find work by answering newspaper advertisements, applying directly to organizations where they would like to work, contacting local labor unions, or contacting State employment service offices.
Advancement opportunities for janitorial workers are usually limited in organizations where they are the only maintenance worker. Where there is a large maintenance staff, however, janitors can be promoted to supervisor and to area supervisor or manager. A high school diploma improves the chances for advancement. Some janitors set up their own maintenance business.
Supervisors usually move up through the ranks. In many establishments, they are required to take some in-service training to perfect housekeeping techniques and procedures, and to enhance supervisory skills.
A small number of cleaning supervisors and managers are members of the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA). IEHA offers two kinds of certification programs to cleaning supervisors and managers—Certified Executive Housekeeper (CEH) and Registered Executive Housekeeper (REH). The CEH designation is offered to those with a high school education, while the REH designation is offered to those who have a 4-year college degree. Both designations are earned by attending courses and passing exams, and must be renewed every 2 years to ensure that workers keep abreast of new cleaning methods. Those with the REH designation typically oversee the cleaning services of hotels, hospitals, casinos, and other large institutions which rely on well-trained experts for their cleaning needs.
Job openings should be plentiful for janitors and cleaners because limited formal education and training requirements coupled with low pay and numerous part-time and temporary jobs contribute to high turnover in this very large occupation.
While the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force will create most job openings, some opportunities will also stem from job growth. Employment of janitors, cleaners, and cleaning supervisors is expected to grow slower than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. To clean the increasing number of office complexes, apartment houses, schools, factories, hospitals, and other buildings, more workers will be assigned to specialized teams with more efficient cleaning equipment and supplies. As many firms reduce costs by hiring independent contractors, businesses providing janitorial and cleaning services on a contract basis are expected to be one of the fastest growing employers of janitors, cleaners, and cleaning supervisors.
Median earnings for janitors and cleaners who usually worked full time were only about $300 a week in 1996, compared to $490 for workers in all occupations combined. Among janitors and cleaners, the middle 50 percent earned between $240 and $420. Ten percent earned less than $190, and 10 percent earned more than $560. Maids and housekeepers had median earnings of $270 a week in 1996, with the middle 50 percent earning between $210 and $320. Ten percent earned less than $180 and 10 percent earned more than $410. Cleaning supervisors had median earnings of $400 a week in 1996; the middle 50 percent earned between $300 and $570. Ten percent earned less than $230 and 10 percent earned more than $760.
According to a 1997 International Executive Housekeepers Association membership survey, certified directors or managers of housekeeping who had completed some college averaged about $37,000 a year. Those who worked in industrial plants, manufacturing plants, and hospitals had higher paying jobs than those who worked in government, hotels, or as contract cleaners.
Private household workers have job duties similar to janitors and cleaners. Workers who specialize in one of the many job functions of janitors and cleaners include refuse collectors, floor waxers, street sweepers, window cleaners, gardeners, boiler tenders, pest controllers, and general maintenance repairers.
Information about janitorial jobs may be obtained from a local State employment service office.
For information on certification in executive housekeeping, contact:
International Executive Housekeepers Association, Inc., 1001 Eastwind Dr., Suite 301, Westerville, OH 43081-3361. Homepage: http://www.ieha.org
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