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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations

This occupational group includes janitors, maids and housekeeping cleaners, pest control, landscaping, pesticide handlers, tree trimmers, and grounds maintenance workers.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2024, more than basic people skills were required for 9.0 percent of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers, and basic people skills were required for 91.0 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers with cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Adaptability: Work schedule variability	53.7	46.3
Pace: Pause control	66.6	33.4
Working around crowds	0.6	99.4
Telework	<0.5	>99.5
Work review: Supervising others	7.8	92.2
Work review: Presence of supervisor	30.4	69.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs.

In 2024, credentials were required for 20.7 percent of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers. Prior work experience was required for 21.9 percent and on-the-job training was required for 87.8 percent.

No minimum education was required for 65.2 percent of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers and a high school diploma was required for 34.1 percent.

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2024, 99.4 percent of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers were not exposed to extreme cold, and 98.9 percent were not exposed to extreme heat. Wetness was not present for 26.3 percent, 99.3 percent were not exposed to heavy vibrations, and 26.3 percent were not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2024, reaching at or below the shoulder was required for 98.4 percent of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers and was not required for 1.6 percent. For less than 5 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom performed, for 63.0 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred occasionally, 32.6 percent frequently, and for less than 5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 96.8 percent of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers and was not required for 3.2 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 2.3 percent of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers. On average, workers spent 8.9 percent of the workday sitting and 91.1 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers with physical demands, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Choice of sitting or standing	2.3	97.7
Driving	32.2	67.8
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	44.5	55.5
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey