Cleaners

(NOC 6731, 6732, 6733)

in All Sales and Service

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.

Job Outlook

Good

Estimate Decline employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 850 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2016

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Estimate Decline slightly employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 5260 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2016

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)

Hourly Pay

$11.00

Minimum

$14.00

Median

$19.95

Maximum

Annual Pay

$3,454

Minimum

$19,748

Median

$42,828

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$10.70

Minimum

$12.50

Median

$21.17

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

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.

Job duties

Light duty cleaners perform some or all of the following duties:

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.

The following is a summary of main duties for some specialized cleaners:

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.

Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents perform some or all of the following duties:

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.

Sample job titles

building superintendent
car detailer
cleaner
furnace cleaner
handyman/woman
housekeeping room attendant
janitor
maid - cleaning services
maintenance worker
septic tank cleaner
window cleaner

Skills

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.

Job requirements

There are no specific education requirements for jobs in this group.
Completion of high 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.

Other considerations

Some jobs in this group require previous cleaning and maintenance experience. Progression to supervisory cleaning positions is possible with additional training or experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

12,920

employed in 2016

67.4%

employed full-time

9.1%

self employed

48.4%

51.6%

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

59.4%

employed full-time

6.2%

self employed

60.1%

39.9%

median age

Where will I likely work?

42.1%

Halifax

17.0%

Northern

15.4%

Cape Breton

13.5%

Annapolis Valley

11.8%

Southern

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

31.1%

Management, Admin & Other Support

15.5%

Health Care and Social Assistance

12.0%

Accommodation and Food Services

11.6%

Educational Services

6.0%

Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing

What is the age of Employment?

26.7%

55-64

26.2%

45-54

15.6%

35-44

13.3%

15-24

10.6%

25-34

7.6%

65+

Compared to: All Sales and Service

35.7%

25-34

28.6%

35-44

21.4%

55-64

Top levels of education

39.4%

High school

$9,015 median annual income

28.6%

Less than high school

$4,918 median annual income

17.2%

College certificate or diploma

$15,970 median annual income

9.6%

Trades certificate

$22,624 median annual income

3.3%

Bachelor's degree

$8,434 median annual income

Compared to: All Sales and Service

40.4%

High school

$12,982 median annual income

19.9%

College certificate or diploma

$19,514 median annual income

18.8%

Less than high school

$9,486 median annual income

10.0%

Bachelor's degree

$20,807 median annual income

8.0%

Trades certificate

$18,797 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

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.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Annapolis Valley Campus

50 Elliott Road

Lawrencetown, NS B0S 1M0

(902) 825-3491

avc.info@nscc.ca