Are you a janitor with professional experience or an individual looking to break into the cleaning industry? Janitorial services are crucial to the health and success of numerous companies and public service buildings.
Janitorial work doesn’t just fall under one umbrella, either. Many companies are looking for janitors who can also step in and perform duties for other departments, such as maintenance and construction.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top reasons to become a janitor, explain different janitorial duties, outline qualifications you’ll need, and help you find a janitorial position that best fits your needs.
Types of Janitorial and Cleaning Jobs
Janitorial positions are broad and can contain a number of different tasks. No two positions are alike, but we’ll break down a few of the most common types of janitors, so you can find a position that most interests you.
General Janitor and Building Cleaner
This type of janitor is the most common. You can find this cleaning professional in schools, office buildings, restaurants, and event structures.
Typically, a general janitor and building cleaner will have some combination of the job duties listed below:
- Collecting and emptying trash receptacles
- Cleaning bathrooms
- Disinfecting common areas
- Vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping floors
- Restocking supplies in bathrooms and kitchens
- Washing windows
- On-demand cleaning support (cleaning spills, gathering broken glass, etc.)
- Changing lightbulbs and smoke alarm batteries
- Making minor repairs to surfaces (painting, sanding, plastering, etc.)
- Ordering and distributing cleaning supplies
These are just a few of the many cleaning and housekeeping tasks that janitors might perform as part of their job duties. There could be additional job-specific responsibilities depending on the office building, industry type, and the number of cleaners on a janitorial staff.
For instance, janitors working in restaurants might have to adhere to stricter cleaning and disinfecting codes than those in office buildings.
Groundskeeper and Maintenance Staff
This type of janitorial employee might have all or some of the typical janitorial duties, in addition to other responsibilities. They might be responsible for mowing lawns, weed eating, spraying for bugs, changing lightbulbs in outdoor fixtures, cleaning pools, locking up equipment, and more.
Like all janitorial jobs, specific tasks will change depending on your industry. For instance, a groundskeeper at a country club might have only the above responsibilities, while a maintenance worker at an apartment might perform these duties in addition to making minor repairs for tenants, painting, and deep-cleaning vacant apartment units.
Specialized Janitor
Janitors in specialized fields, like health care, might have additional duties to perform. This can include cleaning and disinfecting rooms where patients are seen. They also ensure medical waste is properly disposed of and follow all laws surrounding waste disposal. They may have to clean up hazardous waste or infected substances that require extra caution and attention to detail.
On the other end of the spectrum, some janitorial staff might also need to be ready to perform duties like pest removal, which could involve working with dangerous materials and gases and coming into contact with potentially dangerous or infected animals, rodents, and bugs.
Top Reasons to Become a Janitor
Now that you understand the different types of janitors, it’s time to explore some of the benefits of holding a job in this field.
In 2018, there were over two million janitors and professional cleaners living in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you’ve been exploring your career options and have considered janitorial service, you might wonder why this job is so popular.
Here are a few benefits to becoming a janitor or professional cleaner:
- Few qualifications required. We’ll discuss janitorial qualifications below, but typically, you don’t even need a high school diploma or previous cleaning experience to be hired in this industry.
- Freedom to work independently. Many offices, schools, small apartment complexes, and other professional buildings only hire one janitor or schedule only one per shift. This allows you the freedom to work independently, completing the tasks needed at your own pace and in the order you choose.
- Accommodating schedule. Many companies hire janitors for all shifts, allowing you to choose the time of day that works best for you. Better yet, some companies may even allow you to set your own working hours, depending on the job requirements. You can even work part-time to earn extra money on top of your day job. Janitorial roles are perfect for anyone needing secondary or supplemental employment.
- Constant physical activity. Sitting at a desk all day may have its perks, but it can be unhealthy. As a janitor, you’ll be on your feet and moving — allowing you to exercise while working.
In addition, you’ll be able to end your day with the satisfaction of knowing your efforts are helping to keep people and the buildings they work in safe, healthy, and well-maintained.
Janitorial Qualifications and Skills
If a job in the janitorial field sounds enjoyable to you, you’ll first want to know the skills you should have to be an effective professional cleaner.
Most janitorial positions do not require training, degrees, or previous cleaning work experience. In many cases, you’ll be trained on the job. If you want to stand out among applicants or apply for higher-paying janitorial positions, you may want to become certified through the International Sanitary Supply Administration (ISSA) or the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI).
Other qualities that janitors should possess include:
- People skills. Although you won’t often work with colleagues, you’ll answer requests from building workers and supervisors, as well as come into contact with people regularly.
- Problem-solving abilities. Figuring out quick, effective, and safe solutions to cleaning problems can come in handy in this position.
- Physical strength. Although you don’t have to be a weightlifter to become a janitor, you will frequently be working with heavy objects like gallons of paint, fertilizer, and heavy-duty cleaning machines, like floor buffers. You may need to move heavy objects to perform your tasks.
You may also want to have an interest in the industry you’re working in to ensure your job is enjoyable. For instance, if you’re not a fan of kids, you may not enjoy being a school janitor, but you might love working in an empty IT office on the second shift.
Salary Expectations for Janitors
According to the BLS, the median pay for janitors in 2019 was $13.19 per hour and $27,430 a year. Since janitors do not need to be qualified, entry-level positions typically pay less than experienced cleaners and janitorial supervisors.
Salaries for janitors will vary depending on the type of service performed and your location. Working through a cleaning company could also impact your pay, as the employer typically pays the company who will only pay you a portion of the cleaning fee.
Find the Right Janitorial Opportunities on Joblist
If you’re ready to start applying to janitorial jobs near you, you can make your search even easier using Joblist. Joblist compiles all of the most in-demand jobs from the top companies and brings them into one place, at your fingertips.
You can easily search for janitor jobs on Joblist and narrow the criteria based on your location. Other janitorial jobs available on Joblist include:
Companies seeking janitorial roles may also use different job titles when listing their opportunities. You should also search for:
If you find jobs you’re interested in, you can apply right away or save them to your account to keep an eye on or apply for later. Nothing striking your interest? Sign up to be notified when new jobs become available.
Jump-Start Your Career With Joblist
Joblist makes it easy and painless to find your next career online. You can search for jobs using location searches, keywords, or job titles. You can also indicate if you’re open to remote positions, part-time roles, or temporary job placement.
Find your new career today by visiting Joblist.
