Janitorial Job Description: Duties, Skills & Salary

Janitorial duties cover everything from mopping floors and sanitizing restrooms to handling minor repairs and securing buildings after hours. Simple work on the surface, but the scope goes deeper than most people realize.

Over 2.4 million janitors work across the United States right now. They keep schools, hospitals, and office buildings clean and running. Yet most people underestimate what janitorial duties actually involve. 

This blog explains the full janitorial duties and responsibilities list. It also shares real salary data to help you understand the role better.

If you are looking for work, you'll find copy-ready janitorial duties for resume entries. On top of that, you'll find a practical janitorial duties checklist to keep daily operations organized.

What are Janitorial Duties?

Janitorial duties are the daily cleaning, sanitization, waste management, and light maintenance tasks that keep a building safe, orderly, and functional. Every time you walk into a spotless office lobby or a presentable restroom, a janitor made that happen.

The meaning of janitorial duties goes beyond just mopping floors, though. It covers everything from surface cleaning and restroom sanitation to property upkeep and minor building maintenance duties.

These tasks may also be called custodial duties, cleaning duties, or facility upkeep. These are all common janitorial synonyms.

So what do the basic janitorial duties actually look like day to day? 

The work changes from one place to another. Still, the main duties stay the same in schools, hospitals, offices, and commercial buildings.

That is one reason the job stays in high demand. In fact, the U.S. janitorial services industry reached $112 billion in 2026. This shows how important janitors are to every type of organization.

Core Janitorial Duties and Responsibilities

The full janitorial duties and responsibilities list comes down to four areas:

• surface cleaning
• restroom sanitation
• waste management, and 
• minor repairs. 

Every janitorial duties job description uses these categories, and they also form the backbone of any janitorial duties checklist. Here's the full breakdown.

Core Cleaning Tasks

Janitorial duties start with keeping every surface in the building clean and germ-free. That means sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming hard floors and carpets on a daily basis. You also dust furniture, fixtures, shelves, and windowsills throughout each shift.

Disinfecting high-touch areas matters just as much as general cleaning. Doorknobs, light switches, handrails, and elevator buttons carry the most germs in any building. 

To reduce that risk, the CDC recommends cleaning these surfaces on a regular schedule. It also advises using EPA-registered disinfectants and giving them enough contact time to kill bacteria and viruses.

Windows, glass surfaces, and mirrors round out the daily routine. These need weekly or biweekly attention depending on foot traffic and building type.

Restroom and Supply Upkeep

Restroom sanitation tops the priority list for most janitorial roles. You sanitize toilets, urinals, sinks, and showers using the right cleaning solutions and disinfectants. 

Each product needs to sit for the correct contact time before you wipe it down, or the disinfectant won't do its job.

Keeping supplies stocked is the other half of restroom maintenance. Toilet paper, paper towels, and soap dispensers need daily checks, especially in busy buildings. At the same time, most janitors track supplies in the janitorial closet. 

This helps them know when stock runs low. They can then order more or contact vendors before supplies run out.

Waste and Facility Management

Waste management involves more than taking out the trash. You empty trash cans and recycling bins every day. You also separate general waste from chemical, medical, and biohazard waste. Then, you move each type to the correct disposal area.

Because of the risks, OSHA and the EPA have strict waste disposal rules. Breaking these rules can cost employers more than $16,000 for each violation.

The job also includes minor repairs. You may change lightbulbs, unclog drains, fix leaky faucets, or do small paint touch-ups.

If you find a bigger problem, report it to the property managers or facility manager right away.

Outdoor and Seasonal Duties

Some janitorial duties extend beyond the building itself. Many facilities also expect janitors to care for outdoor areas. This includes sweeping walkways, mowing lawns, picking up litter, and maintaining parking lots.

The work also changes with the seasons. 

In winter, you may remove snow with snowblowers, snow shovels, or snow-melting chemicals. In spring and summer, the focus shifts to watering plants, groundskeeping, and clearing debris from entrances and other outdoor areas.

Core janitorial duties stay consistent everywhere. But the scope, schedule, and stakes shift depending on where you work. 

Here's what the job looks like across five common settings:

Janitor Duties in Schools

A school janitorial job description covers more ground than most people expect. School custodians clean classrooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias, and hallways across the campus. Many start early in the morning or work late in the evening to avoid class hours.

But cleaning is only part of the job. The duties and responsibilities of a janitor in school settings also include setting up and taking down equipment for assemblies and sports events. 

You may also monitor HVAC systems, handle snow removal in winter, and report major issues to the district facilities manager.

Janitor Duties in Offices

The duties and responsibilities of a janitor in office buildings focus on maintaining a clean, professional workplace. A typical office janitorial job description includes vacuuming carpets, wiping desks, cleaning break rooms and kitchens, and maintaining conference rooms.

The job also includes cleaning high-touch surfaces every day. This covers shared printers, door handles, and elevator panels.

Most office janitors work evening or night shifts. That way, they can clean after business hours without disturbing employees. Before leaving, they also lock the building and check every access point to help keep the workplace secure.

Janitor Duties in Hospitals

A hospital janitor job description comes with more responsibility than most other janitorial roles. The CDC estimates that 1 in 31 hospital patients gets at least one healthcare-associated infection on any given day.

That is why infection control is part of every task.

Hospital janitorial work includes biohazard cleanup, medical waste handling, and deep cleaning. You clean operating rooms, patient rooms, emergency departments, and laboratories.

Because of these risks, you must follow strict sanitization rules from the CDC and the EPA. You also work with hazardous materials, so proper chemical safety training is essential.

Janitor Duties in Warehouses

A warehouse janitorial job description focuses on keeping large industrial spaces clean, safe, and easy to use. You sweep concrete floors, clean loading docks, and keep aisles clear around forklifts and heavy machinery.

The work also requires quick action when problems happen. Chemical spills need an immediate response. At the same time, you must follow safety rules every day in a busy distribution center.

Janitor Duties in Churches

A church janitorial job description combines daily cleaning with regular event setup and teardown. You clean worship spaces, the sanctuary, fellowship halls, and kitchen areas before and after services, meetings, and community events.

Most church roles are part-time with flexible schedules that include weekends. Outdoor tasks like lawn care, parking lot upkeep, and groundskeeping are also part of the job.

Janitor Job Description Skills

Every janitor job description skills section includes two types of skills: technical abilities and personal traits. Employers look for both when hiring. They also matter when adding janitorial duties for resume entries. Here's what each one includes.

Hard Skills

Cleaning skills are the foundation of the job. You need to buff, strip, wax, and disinfect different surface types. You should also know how to use floor buffers, carpet shampooers, pressure washers, and wet-dry vacuums safely.

Chemical safety is just as important. Every janitor should understand the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. This includes reading Safety Data Sheets, using cleaning products correctly, and wearing the right personal protective equipment (PPE). Certifications from ISSA and the EPA can also strengthen your credentials.

Basic hand tools are another key skill. Screwdrivers, drills, and wrenches help with routine plumbing repairs, minor electrical work, and small paint touch-ups.

Soft Skills

Reliability and a strong work ethic top the list. You work independently with minimal supervision, often during off-hours when nobody else is in the building. Skip one task, and everyone notices the next morning.

Time management keeps each shift on track. You follow a cleaning schedule covering dozens of tasks in a fixed window, so knowing how to prioritize matters. Strong organizational skills also tie into this, especially when coordinating supplies and facilitating team collaboration across shifts.

Attention to detail and problem-solving separate average janitors from great ones. Catching a half-empty dispenser or a safety-conscious concern before anyone else builds professionalism that employers remember. 

Clear communication and interpersonal skills also count. Particularly during daytime customer service interactions, physical stamina and endurance keep you moving through long hours of walking, bending, and lifting.

Janitor Qualifications and Education

Most janitorial roles are entry-level positions with no formal education required. In fact, 65% of cleaning and maintenance workers needed no minimum education, and on-the-job training covered 88% of the workforce. A high school diploma or GED improves your chances, but it's rarely a dealbreaker.

Experience stays flexible too. Most employers prefer 1+ years of experience, though many hire without it and train new staff on-site.

Certifications aren't mandatory, but they strengthen your profile:

• OSHA safety training
• ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association) credentials
• GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certification for cleanroom environments
• Biohazard cleaning certification for healthcare settings
• Green cleaning certification for eco-focused facilities

Physically, you need to lift 50 pounds, stand for extended periods, bend, reach, and climb ladders regularly. Employers in schools, hospitals, and government buildings typically require a background check and sometimes a drug screen before bringing you on board.

Janitor Salary and Job Outlook

So how much does a janitor make? The median hourly wage sits at $17.27 per hour, which works out to roughly $35,930 per year. But the numbers shift based on where you work and what type of facility you clean.

Salary Breakdown

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median hourly wage of $17.27 for janitors as of May 2024. The lowest 10% earned $13.26/hour, while the highest 10% took home $23.58/hour. More recent BLS wage data from May 2025 pushes the median to $17.71 per hour, reflecting steady wage growth across the industry.

Salary by setting makes a noticeable difference. Janitors in hospitals and government buildings consistently outearn those in retail or residential roles.

Full-time positions often include benefits like health insurance, dental, PTO, and 401(k) or retirement plans. Pensions remain available in some school systems and government positions, which adds long-term value that the hourly rate alone doesn't show.

Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2% growth in janitor employment from 2024 to 2034. That sounds slow, but it still creates roughly 351,300 openings per year as workers retire or move into other careers.

Here's what's fueling those numbers. Post-pandemic expectations reshaped the entire industry. COVID-19 pushed sanitization standards higher across every sector, and those standards haven't dropped since.

The outcome is high demand paired with a small applicant pool, which keeps doors open for more entry-level candidates than the field has seen in years.

Janitor vs. Custodian: What's the Difference?

The difference between janitor and custodian comes down to the type of work they do. A janitor focuses on cleaning tasks like mopping, sanitizing, and trash removal. A custodian does those jobs too. They also handle facility maintenance, repair coordination, building security, and general upkeep.

A simple way to remember the difference is this. A janitor keeps the building clean. A custodian helps keep the building running.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics groups custodians with janitors but notes that custodians often take on broader duties. This is common in schools and hospitals. They may supervise janitorial staff, manage vendor contracts, and report to a facility manager or building superintendent.

Work schedules can also be different. Janitors often work evening or night shifts so they can clean without interrupting others. Custodians usually work during the day because they coordinate repairs and work with building staff.

If you want to move into facility management, a custodial role can be a good next step.

Janitorial Duties for Resume

Writing strong janitorial duties for resume entries starts with one simple rule. Begin every bullet point with an action verb and show your results whenever possible.

Harvard Career Services recommends using an action + scope + measurable result format. This approach works well for a basic janitorial duties resume and a janitorial supervisor job description for a resume.

Instead of writing "responsible for cleaning," get specific. Here are copy-ready bullet points for your janitorial duties and responsibilities resume:

• Sanitized and maintained a 45,000-square-foot commercial facility, including offices, restrooms, and common areas.
• Operated floor buffers, industrial vacuums, and carpet shampooers while following cleaning and safety procedures.
• Managed inventory for more than 50 cleaning supplies and coordinated vendor restocking across two locations.
• Completed daily waste disposal for a 200-person office while following OSHA safety guidelines and EPA disinfectant requirements.
• Performed minor repairs and completed nightly building security checks.

Adjust the numbers to match your experience. Then, tailor each bullet to the janitorial job description for the resume you are applying for.

Janitorial Job Description Template

Need a janitorial job description template that's ready to post? Indeed, research found that 52% of candidates decide whether to apply based on how well the listing reads. Copy this template, fill in the brackets, and put it live today.

Job Title: Janitor / Janitorial Worker

Location: [City, State]

Job Type: [Full-time / Part-time]

Reports To: Facility Manager / Cleaning Supervisor / Head Custodian

Salary: [$15 to $23/hour, based on experience]

About Us: [2 to 3 sentences about your company, the facility type, and your team culture.]

About the Role:

We need a dependable janitor to keep our building clean, safe, and well-maintained through daily cleaning, restroom sanitation, waste disposal, and minor repairs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Sweep, mop, vacuum, and buff all floor surfaces
• Dust furniture, fixtures, windowsills, and shelving
• Clean, sanitize, and restock restrooms with soap, paper towels, and toilet paper
• Empty trash and recycling bins; move waste to designated disposal areas
• Wash windows, glass doors, and mirrors
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and handrails per OSHA guidelines
• Perform minor repairs, including lightbulb replacements, drain clearing, and paint touch-ups
• Maintain cleaning equipment such as floor buffers, vacuums, and carpet shampooers
• Organize the janitorial closet, track inventory, and flag restocking needs
• Complete janitorial checklists at the end of every shift
• Lock doors, shut off lights, and secure the building after hours
• Report safety hazards or major maintenance issues to management

Skills and Qualifications:

• Lift 50 lbs; stand, walk, bend, and climb ladders for extended periods
• Knowledge of cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and Material Safety Data Sheets
• Experience operating floor buffers, pressure washers, and industrial vacuums
• Reliable, punctual, and comfortable working independently
• Strong time management and organizational skills

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED preferred
• 1+ years in janitorial, custodial, or commercial cleaning preferred
• OSHA or ISSA certification is a plus
• Must pass a background check

Work Schedule: [Mon to Fri evenings/nights/rotating/weekends as needed]

Benefits: [Health, dental, vision, PTO, 401(k), paid training]

How to Apply: Send your resume to [email] or apply at [careers page link]

Janitorial Duties Checklist

A structured janitorial duties checklist helps you track every task by frequency so nothing slips through. Here's a practical breakdown of basic janitorial duties organized into daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal tasks.

Daily Tasks:

• Sweep, mop, and vacuum all floors
• Sanitize restrooms and restock supplies
• Empty trash and recycling bins
• Wipe down high-touch surfaces
• Dust furniture and common areas

Weekly Tasks:

• Wash windows and glass surfaces
• Deep clean break rooms and kitchens
• Polish fixtures and inspect for maintenance issues

Monthly Tasks:

• Shampoo carpets and area rugs
• Strip and wax floors
• Clean light fixtures and replace HVAC filters
• Full deep cleaning of restrooms and drains

Seasonal/Quarterly Tasks:

• Power wash exterior walkways
• Complete facility deep cleaning
• Seasonal groundskeeping and snow prep
• Review and update cleaning procedure

How FieldServicely Helps Manage Janitorial Operations

Managing a janitorial team across multiple buildings gets messy fast. Paper checklists disappear. Scheduling conflicts stack up, and missed tasks only surface when a client calls to complain.

FieldServicely's janitorial scheduling software replaces all of that with one system. With FieldServicely, you can assign tasks, track progress in real time, and see which cleaning shifts finish on schedule across every location.

Scheduling is just as simple. The drag-and-drop calendar lets you schedule 10 employees in about five minutes without back-and-forth calls. Geofenced attendance makes sure staff clock in only after they arrive at the job site. Automated timesheets also flow into payroll, cutting hours of admin work down to minutes.

The results speak for themselves. According to FieldServicely, teams using the platform report a 14% increase in revenue, save $2,500 for every $10,000 in operating costs, and reduce administrative work by 17%.

The platform also helps after the schedule is set. The mobile app sends real-time job updates, supports digital job approval with photo proof, and makes route planning easier across multiple locations. It also includes work order management and GPS tracking, so you always know where your team is during each shift.

Conclusion

Janitorial work keeps every building functional, safe, and presentable. The role demands more than cleaning. It requires reliability, physical stamina, sharp time management, and the ability to handle everything from restroom sanitation to building security without constant oversight.

The demand for skilled janitors isn't slowing down either. With 351,300 openings projected every year, now is a strong time to enter the field or hire for it.

Use the job description template, resume bullet points, and checklist from this guide to take your next step today.