Specialized Cleaners

(NOC 6732)

in All Sales and Service

Specialized cleaners clean and refurbish building exteriors, carpets, chimneys, industrial equipment, ventilation systems, windows and other surfaces, using specialized equipment and techniques. They work for specialized cleaning service companies or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 95 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$22.20

Maximum

Annual Pay

$3,209

Minimum

$20,266

Median

$40,713

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Specialized cleaners clean and refurbish building exteriors, carpets, chimneys, industrial equipment, ventilation systems, windows and other surfaces, using specialized equipment and techniques. They work for specialized cleaning service companies or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Carpet and upholstery cleaners:

  • Use cleaning machines to clean carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture on customers' locations or in carpet and upholstery cleaning shops.

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 hydro blasting equipment.

Vehicle cleaners:

  • Clean cars, buses, streetcars, railway cars and subway cars.

Window cleaners:

  • Wash and clean windows and other glass surfaces in low-rise and high-rise buildings.

Sample job titles

  • auto detailer
  • building exterior cleaner
  • carpet cleaner
  • chimney cleaner
  • freight car cleaner
  • furnace cleaner
  • laboratory equipment cleaner
  • sandblaster
  • septic tank cleaner
  • upholstery cleaner
  • ventilation system cleaner
  • window cleaner

Skills

  • 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.

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.
  • Experience in a related position may be required for some jobs in this group.

Other considerations

  • Some jobs in this group require cleaning and maintenance experience. Movement to supervisory cleaning positions is possible with additional training or experience. Workers are often expected to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,210

employed in 2016

70.7%

employed full-time

9.9%

self employed

18.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
81.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
34.4

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
39.9%
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37

median age

Where will I likely work?

42.3%

Halifax

$24,305 median annual income
17.8%

Annapolis Valley

$17,192 median annual income
14.9%

Southern

$15,098 median annual income
14.9%

North Shore

$15,297 median annual income
10.0%

Cape Breton

$23,642 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

36.5%

Retail trade

23.2%

Other services (except public administration)

16.6%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

6.1%

Real estate and rental and leasing

5.0%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

33.0%

15-24

21.0%

45-54

17.0%

25-34

15.0%

35-44

11.0%

55-64

3.0%

65+

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

45.9%

High school

$21,133 median annual income
24.4%

Less than high school

$19,648 median annual income
14.5%

College Diploma

$16,370 median annual income
9.9%

Trade Certification

$22,843 median annual income
2.9%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Septic Tank Cleaners

Compulsory Certification (Mandatory): This is a regulated designated trade in Nova Scotia. Individuals must hold a Certification of Qualification, be a registered apprentice, or hold a temporary work permit to legally work in this trade.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change
Halifax, NS
No contacts were found under this occupation profile

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.