Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Janitor or Building Cleaner Most janitors and building cleaners learn on the job. They use many types of tools and equipment, including snowblowers. Janitors and building cleaners typically do not need formal
Education
to enter the occupation. However, some employers may require or prefer that workers have a high school diploma or equivalent. Most janitors and building cleaners learn on the job. Education Janitors and building cleaners typically do not need a formal educational credential to qualify for entry-level jobs. But for some positions, they may need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Elective high school courses, such as in industrial arts, may be helpful for occupations involving repair.
Training
Most janitors and building cleaners learn on the job. Beginners typically work with a more experienced janitor, learning how to use and maintain equipment such as vacuums, floor buffers, and other equipment and tools. They also may learn how to repair minor electrical and plumbing problems.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Although not required, certification demonstrates competence and may make applicants more appealing to employers. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of janitors and building cleaners is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 321,800 openings for janitors and building cleaners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment The continued need for clean and healthy spaces is projected to support demand for the services that janitors and building cleaners provide. However, the continued use of high-tech cleaning methods may limit employment growth for these workers. Janitors and Building Cleaners Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners 2% Building cleaning and pest control workers 2% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Janitors and Building Cleaners Do
Janitors and building cleaners keep many types of buildings clean, sanitary, orderly, and in good condition.
Duties
Janitors and building cleaners typically do the following:
- Gather and empty trash
- Sweep, mop, or vacuum building floors
- Clean restrooms and stock them with supplies
- Clean spills and other hazards with appropriate equipment
- Wash windows, walls, and glass
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently
- Order cleaning supplies
- Make minor building repairs
- Notify managers when a building needs major repairs
- Lock doors to secure buildings
Janitors and building cleaners keep office buildings, schools, hospitals, and other places clean, sanitary, and in good condition. Some clean only, while others have a wide range of duties.
In addition to keeping the inside of buildings clean and orderly, some janitors and building cleaners work outdoors. They may do tasks such as mowing lawns, sweeping walkways, and removing snow. Some also monitor the building’s heating and cooling system, ensuring that it functions properly.
Janitors and building cleaners use many tools and types of equipment. Simple cleaning tools may include brooms, mops, and rakes. Other tools include sprayers, floor buffers, and snowblowers.
Some janitors are responsible for repairing minor electrical or plumbing problems, such as leaky faucets.
The following are examples of types of janitors and building cleaners:
Building superintendents are responsible for maintaining residential buildings, such as apartments and condominiums. Although their duties are like those of other janitors, some building superintendents also help collect rent and show vacancies to potential tenants.
Custodians are janitors or cleaning workers who typically maintain institutional facilities, such as schools and hospitals.
For data on workers who maintain private homes or businesses, such as hotels, see maids and housekeeping cleaners.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Janitors and building cleaners held about 2.4 million jobs in 2025. The largest employers of janitors and building cleaners were as follows:
| Services to buildings and dwellings | 35% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 17 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 7 |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 5 |
| Self-employed workers | 5 |
Janitors and building cleaners usually work indoors, but they may work outdoors on tasks such as sweeping walkways, mowing lawns, and shoveling snow. They spend most of the day walking, standing, or bending while cleaning. They often move or lift heavy supplies and equipment. As a result, the work may be strenuous on the back, arms, and legs. Some tasks, such as cleaning restrooms and trash areas, are dirty or unpleasant.
Injuries and Illnesses
Janitors and building cleaners sometimes get injured on the job. For example, they may suffer sprains or strains from heavy lifting or pain and soreness from repetitive motion. Workers may receive safety and ergonomics training to help minimize these risks.
Work Schedules
Most janitors and building cleaners work full time, but part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary. Because office buildings are often cleaned while they are empty, many cleaners work evening hours. When there is a need for 24-hour maintenance, such as in hospitals, cleaners work in shifts that may include nights, weekends, or holidays.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Interpersonal skills. Janitors and building cleaners must interact well with other cleaners and the people who live or work in the buildings they service. Mechanical skills. Janitors and building cleaners need to understand general building operations and should be able to make routine repairs, such as to leaky faucets. Physical stamina. Janitors and building cleaners spend most of their workday standing to operate cleaning equipment. Physical strength. Janitors and building cleaners often must lift and move heavy cleaning materials and equipment. Time-management skills. Janitors and building cleaners must plan and complete tasks in a timely manner.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about janitors and building cleaners by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.