About the job
Light duty cleaners clean lobbies, hallways, offices and rooms of hotels, motels, resorts, hospitals, schools, office and other buildings, and private residences. They are employed by hotels, motels, resorts, recreational facilities, hospitals and other institutions, building management companies, cleaning service companies and private individuals.
Specialized cleaners clean and refurbish building exteriors, carpets, chimneys, industrial equipment, ventilation systems, windows and other surfaces, using specialized equipment and techniques. They are employed by specialized cleaning service companies or they may be self-employed.
Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents clean and maintain the interior and exterior of commercial, institutional and residential buildings and their surrounding grounds. Building superintendents employed in large establishments are responsible for the operation of the establishment and may also supervise other workers. They are employed by office and apartment building management companies, condominium corporations, educational institutions, health care facilities, recreational and shopping facilities, religious, industrial, and other establishments.
- Sweep, mop, wash, wax and polish floors.
- Dust furniture and vacuum carpeting and area rugs, draperies and upholstered furniture.
- Make beds, change sheets and distribute clean towels and toiletries.
- Attend to guests' requests for extra supplies.
- Stock linen closet and supplies area.
- Clean, disinfect and polish kitchen and bathroom fixtures and appliances.
- Clean and disinfect public areas such as changing rooms, showers and elevators.
- Disinfect operating rooms and other hospital areas.
- Pick up debris and empty trash containers.
- Wash windows, walls and ceilings.
- Report and store lost and found items.
- May provide basic information on facilities.
- May handle complaints.
- Carpet and upholstery cleaners operate cleaning machines to clean carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture on customers' premises or in carpet and upholstery cleaning establishments.
- Chimney cleaners clean soot and creosote from chimneys and fireplaces using hand tools and industrial vacuum cleaners.
- Furnace and ventilation system cleaners clean ducts, vents and filters of furnaces in residences and commercial buildings using hand tools and industrial vacuum cleaners.
- Sandblasters clean building exteriors, tanks, chimneys and industrial equipment using sandblasting, pressurized steam or hydroblasting equipment.
- Vehicle cleaners clean the interior and exterior of automobiles, buses, streetcars, railway cars and subway cars.
- Window cleaners wash and clean interior and exterior windows and other glass surfaces in low-rise and high-rise buildings.
- Operate industrial vacuum cleaners to remove scraps, dirt, heavy debris and other refuse.
- Wash windows, interior walls and ceilings.
- Empty trash cans and other waste containers.
- Sweep, mop, scrub and wax hallways, floors and stairs.
- Clean snow and ice from walkways and parking areas.
- Cut grass and tend grounds.
- Clean and disinfect washrooms and fixtures.
- Make adjustments and minor repairs to heating, cooling, ventilating, plumbing and electrical systems, and contact tradespersons for major repairs.
- Perform other routine maintenance jobs such as painting and drywall repair.
- May water and tend to plants.
- May move heavy furniture, equipment and supplies.
- Ensure that security and safety measures are in place in the establishment.
- May advertise vacancies, show apartments and offices to prospective tenants and collect rent.
- May supervise other workers.
- building superintendent
- car detailer
- cleaner
- furnace cleaner
- handyman/woman
- housekeeping room attendant
- janitor
- maid - cleaning services
- maintenance worker
- septic tank cleaner
- window cleaner
To work in these jobs, you should have good health, physical stamina, and manual dexterity. You must also be able to work on your own and carry out instructions given by a supervisor. Workers are often expected to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- There are no specific education requirements for jobs in this group.
- Completion of secondary school may be required.
- On-the-job training is usually provided.
- Certification for housekeeping room attendants or similar certification may be required by some employers.
- A journeyperson certificate in one or more of the trades or a building operator certificate may be required for building superintendents.
Some jobs in this group require previous cleaning and maintenance experience. Progression to supervisory cleaning positions is possible with additional training or experience.
Labour Market Information
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “good”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is better than average when compared to other occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline moderately over the next few years, which will likely limit the number of new opportunities available (yet overall job prospects are still considered good due to other factors). With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Cleaners may either be working full-time or part-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common. Also, a fair portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.
The median employment income for 42% of Cleaners who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $32,414. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
| Occupation | Estimated employment in 2018 | Estimated change in employment between 2017 and 2019 | Estimated openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019 | Estimated rate of unemployment in 2018 | Estimated hourly earnings in 2015 (learn more) | Estimated annual earnings in 2015 |
| Cleaners | 12,920 | Decline | 850 | High | Minimum: $11.00 Median: $14.00 Maximum: $19.95 | Minimum: $3,454 Median: $19,748 Maximum: $42,828 |
| Occupations in Sales and Service | 102,605 | Decline slightly | 5,260 | Moderate | Minimum: $10.70 Median: $12.50 Maximum: $21.17 | Minimum: $2,949 Median: $16,629 Maximum: $45,086 |
| Cleaners | Compared to: Occupations in Sales and Service | |
| Percent employed full-time | 67% | 59% |
| Percent self-employed | 18% | 6% |
| Area of Employment | Cleaners | Compared to: All NS Occupations | ||
| % Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
| Southern | 12% | $19,135 | 12% | $30,581 |
| Northern | 17% | $20,524 | 16% | $33,660 |
| Cape Breton | 15% | $19,938 | 13% | $32,974 |
| Halifax | 42% | $21,286 | 47% | $41,209 |
| Annapolis Valley | 13% | $17,204 | 13% | $32,958 |
| Age | Cleaners | Compared to: All Sales and Service |
| % Employed | % Employed | |
| 15-24 | 13% | x |
| 25-34 | 11% | 36% |
| 35-44 | 16% | 29% |
| 45-54 | 26% | x |
| 55-64 | 27% | 21% |
| 65+ | 8% | x |
| Median Age | 49 | 37 |
| Gender | Cleaners | Compared to: Occupations in Sales and Service |
| % Employed | % Employed | |
| Female | 48% | 60% |
| Male | 52% | 40% |
| Education | Cleaners | Compared to: All Sales and Service | ||
| % Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
| Less than high school | 28.6% | $4,918 | 18.8% | $9,486 |
| High school | 39.4% | $9,015 | 40.4% | $12,982 |
| Trades certificate | 9.6% | $22,624 | 8.0% | $18,797 |
| College certificate or diploma | 17.2% | $15,970 | 19.9% | $19,514 |
| University certificate or diploma | 1.4% | x | 1.6% | $18,279 |
| Bachelor's degree | 3.3% | $8,434 | 10.0% | $20,807 |
| University advanced certificate or diploma | 0.2% | x | 0.5% | $15,716 |
| Master's degree | N/A | x | 0.8% | $20,769 |
| Doctorate | 0.3% | x | 0.0% | $17,318 |
| Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry | 0.1% | x | 0.1% | $17,368 |
| Total | 100% | 100% | ||
Hourly earnings data are from the Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada. Data are not available for all occupations. Hourly earnings are calculated based on usual hours worked per week. This is how an annual salary, for instance, gets converted to an hourly rate. The data include full and part-time workers along with new and experienced workers. Self-employed workers are excluded.
Annual employment income data reported in the Work Prospects section, are from the 2011 National Household Survey by Statistics Canada. Much of the data (around 70%) came directly from tax records. The data relates to the year 2010 and includes total wages and salaries and net income from self-employment.
Employment Requirements & Contacts
Training Paths & Education
This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.