How to hire janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
A job description you can copy, interview questions tied to the real work, and what to pay. Free.
Job description template
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.
[Job title] at [Company name] [City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range] About the role [Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.] What you will do • Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming. • Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees. • Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures. • Gather and empty trash. • Mix water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications. • Monitor building security and safety by performing tasks such as locking doors after operating hours or checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created. • Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems. • Service, clean, or supply restrooms. What you bring • [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any] • [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: No formal educational credential] • Strong active listening and speaking skills • [Anything else you would really turn someone away for] Pay and benefits [Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $17.71 an hour ($36,840 a year). [Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.] How to apply [Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]
Interview questions for janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.
- Tell me about a time you had to clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to gather and empty trash. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to understand a request or problem that was explained poorly. How did you make sure you got it right?
- Explain something technical from your last job as you would to a new coworker.
- Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?
Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.
What janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners do
- Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.
- Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees.
- Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.
- Gather and empty trash.
- Mix water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications.
- Monitor building security and safety by performing tasks such as locking doors after operating hours or checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created.
- Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.
- Service, clean, or supply restrooms.
Skills that matter most
Education, experience and outlook for janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.2% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 321,800 openings a year (BLS)
What to pay janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:
| State | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $45,580 |
| Washington | $45,520 |
| New York | $41,640 |
| California | $41,090 |
| Vermont | $40,910 |
| Arkansas | $29,750 |
| Louisiana | $28,930 |
| Mississippi | $28,380 |
See janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners pay in every state
Related hiring guides
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
- Dishwashers
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
- Floor Sanders and Finishers
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
Post this job on JAI Bot. Free to start: JAI Bot reads every applicant against your must-haves, shows the resume evidence behind each one, and helps you reply to everyone. People make every decision.
Post a job freePay by areaJob duties and skills: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.