Janitors, Caretakers, and Building Superintendents

(NOC 6733)

in All Sales and Service

Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents clean and maintain the inside and outside of commercial, institutional and residential buildings and their surrounding grounds. Building superintendents for large organizations are responsible for the operation of the business and may also supervise other workers. They work for office and apartment building management companies, condominium corporations, educational institutions, health care facilities, recreational and shopping facilities, religious, industrial and other businesses.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 845 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate 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.

Higher sanitation standards have increased the demand for this occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$18.00

Median

$24.04

Maximum

Annual Pay

$4,640

Minimum

$25,905

Median

$50,027

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

Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents clean and maintain the inside and outside of commercial, institutional and residential buildings and their surrounding grounds. Building superintendents for large organizations are responsible for the operation of the business and may also supervise other workers. They work for office and apartment building management companies, condominium corporations, educational institutions, health care facilities, recreational and shopping facilities, religious, industrial and other businesses.

Job duties

Workers in this group:

  • Use industrial vacuum cleaners to remove scraps, dirt, heavy debris and other waste.
  • 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 and plants.
  • Clean and disinfect washrooms and fixtures.
  • Change and make minor repairs to heating, cooling, ventilating, plumbing and electrical systems, and contact tradespersons for major repairs.
  • Do other routine maintenance jobs like painting and drywall repair.
  • May move heavy furniture, equipment and supplies.
  • Make sure that security and safety measures are in place.
  • May advertise vacancies, show apartments and offices to prospective tenants and collect rent.
  • May supervise other workers.

Sample job titles

  • airport maintenance worker
  • building caretaker
  • building custodian
  • building superintendent
  • campground cleaner
  • church caretaker
  • custodian
  • handyperson
  • heavy-duty-cleaner
  • industrial cleaner
  • janitor
  • plant maintenance worker
  • school custodian
  • school janitor

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

  • High school may be required.
  • Some jobs in this group require cleaning and maintenance experience.
  • A journeyperson certificate in one or more of the trades or a building operator certificate may be necessary for building superintendents.

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

6,755

employed in 2016

71.4%

employed full-time

7.1%

self employed

24.7%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
75.3%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
52.3

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%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37

median age

Where will I likely work?

38.3%

Halifax

$28,794 median annual income
20.5%

North Shore

$24,784 median annual income
16.8%

Cape Breton

$21,920 median annual income
12.4%

Annapolis Valley

$26,507 median annual income
12.0%

Southern

$27,813 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

26.5%

Educational services

19.1%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

10.9%

Real estate and rental and leasing

8.3%

Health care and social assistance

7.1%

Accommodation and food services

What is the age of Employment?

32.0%

55-64

26.0%

45-54

14.0%

35-44

10.0%

65+

9.0%

25-34

9.0%

15-24

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

35.9%

High school

$24,804 median annual income
27.6%

Less than high school

$23,066 median annual income
17.6%

College Diploma

$29,400 median annual income
13.5%

Trade Certification

$32,899 median annual income
3.6%

Bachelor

$25,545 median annual income

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

Building/Property Maintenance and Management

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to keep a building functioning, and to service a variety of structures including commercial and industrial buildings and mobile homes. They include courses in the basic maintenance and repair skills required to service building systems, such as air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical, major appliances, and other mechanical systems.

Institutions providing this program

Futureworx Career College

Truro, NS

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

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

No contacts were found under this occupation profile

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.