Janitors, also known as cleaning service professionals, help keep offices, schools, hospitals, shopping centers and other places clean and orderly. In addition to buffing floors and washing windows, they perform minor repairs around buildings, and they’re in charge of ordering cleaning supplies and maintaining equipment. Janitors are also a facility’s first line of defense in stopping the spread of germs. 

"The single greatest thing about being a cleaning service professional is the fact that you are truly making a difference as a frontline protector of public health," explains Dan Wagner, vice president of strategic accounts and services of Triple S, a supplier of janitorial and sanitary maintenance supplies, in an email. Interpersonal skills are crucial, since janitors must get along with the people who live or work in the buildings they clean; these skills help when janitors serve as a liaison between building managers, security guards, housekeeping staff and groundskeepers. Being a janitor has its perks: flexible schedules, including opportunities for part-time work, and no formal education requirements.

Although janitors with prior experience make more attractive job candidates, it is possible to land a position with little to no experience and then receive on-the-job training. Another upside to the profession is the opportunity to gain exposure to many walks of life. Do you like working with kids? Consider becoming a janitor for an elementary school. Are you a sports junkie? Find out if your local stadium has any open custodial positions.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 1.3% employment growth for janitors between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 29,900 jobs should open up.

Some initial training will seem inherent to anyone who has performed household chores: sweeping floors, scrubbing toilets and changing light bulbs. But most janitors use specialized equipment, like wet-and-dry vacuums and pressure washers, so the training they receive on the clock is invaluable. A formal education isn’t necessary to secure entry-level employment, but companies are increasingly seeking experienced candidates who have received competency certification from either the Building Service Contractors Association International or the ISSA.