Janitors Description OES Code: 670050 Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as operating motor-driven cleaning equipment, mopping floors, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs and additions, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk. CA Wages/hour:nonunion median range New, no experience: $5.75 minimum – $9.40 New, experienced: $6.50 minimum – $11.00 3 yrs+ experience: $8.00 minimum – $13.00 CA Wages/hour:union median range New, no experience: $9.00 minimum – $12.00 New, experienced: $10.00 minimum – $13.00 3 yrs+ experience: $10.00 $7.00 – $15.00 In big cities most of the Janitors and Cleaners belong to a union. In the small towns, they are usually nonunion. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Part-time work is common. Janitors and Cleaners just starting out in this job or moving from another area may have to begin by working only one or two days per week. Benefits may include paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, medical and dental insurance, and a retirement plan. Employment Trends Employment 1996 179,870 Projected Employment 2006 198,770 Growth Rate 1996-2006 10.5% Openings due to Separations 38,390 Employment Trends by California County There are many Janitors and Cleaners in California. Since companies usually contract Janitors and Cleaners from commercial cleaning services, these services are becoming a very important source of jobs. Demand for workers is expected to grow because of a large number of people changing jobs, plus job openings resulting from the building of office and other commercial space. There will keep on being more applicants than jobs, but many of the applicants are not qualified. Advancement Experienced Janitors and Cleaners may promote to maintenance supervisor, and, if they save enough money, may eventually own and run their own janitorial service. Getting the Job & Other Information Janitors and Cleaners may find work directly through employers, union hiring halls, private employment agencies, and the California Employment Development Department. Newspaper ads are also a good source of job leads. In the classified ads, Janitor jobs may be listed under various titles such as Cleaner, Porter, Custodian and, even, Laborer or General Helper. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Janitors and Cleaners must have the strength to do hard work, be able to work alone and to read and follow directions For janitorial route work, a driver's license and a car may be needed. Most Janitors and Cleaners learn on the job. They are given harder work with more experience. They learn to operate and keep up machines used on the job such as wet and dry vacuums, buffers, and polishers. Janitors and Cleaners may take classes at job training centers, community colleges, or adult schools. However, many are trained on the job by the employer or by a coworker. Skills & Other Requirements Janitors and Cleaners sweep, vacuum, mop and wax floors, clean carpets, dust and polish furniture, clean and supply restrooms, collect and throw out trash, wash walls and ceilings, replace lights, and polish metal work. In some jobs they may do minor repairs, paint, do carpentry work, kill insects and other pests, clean heavy machinery, tend furnaces, air conditioners and boilers, operate heavy machinery such as paper balers, or supervise other workers. In schools and office buildings, they may set up tables and chairs in auditoriums or meeting rooms. Janitors and Cleaners must know how to use chemical cleaners and power equipment to keep from harming or damaging floors and fixtures. Janitorial work is often done at night when the building is closed. The employee must be able to work alone. The work may be hard. The employee may be exposed to irritating cleaning detergents. Janitors and Cleaners may be assigned to work shifts when 24-hour service is needed. The work is usually done inside buildings which are heated and well-lit. Sometimes they may work outdoors sweeping walkways and mowing lawns. Duties like dusting or sweeping require a lot of bending, stooping, and stretching. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Janitors & Cleaners #88 Related Occupation: Private Household Workers #395 Training: California State Training Inventory   © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.