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

Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner. Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.

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, work was controlled by people for 91.0 percent of maids and housekeeping cleaners, and work was self-paced for less than 20 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of maids and housekeeping cleaners with cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Adaptability: Work schedule variability	51.1	48.9
Pace: Pause control	80.3	19.7
Working around crowds	<0.5	>99.5
Telework	<0.5	>99.5
Work review: Supervising others	1.3	98.7
Work review: Presence of supervisor	27.2	72.8
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, prior work experience was required for 3.9 percent of maids and housekeeping cleaners and on-the-job training was required for 99.3 percent.

No minimum education was required for 71.3 percent of maids and housekeeping cleaners.

Environmental conditions

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

In 2024, greater than 99.5 percent of maids and housekeeping cleaners were not exposed to extreme cold, and greater than 95 percent were not exposed to extreme heat. Wetness was not present for 12.1 percent, greater than 99.5 percent were not exposed to heavy vibrations, and 55.0 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 greater than 95 percent of maids and housekeeping cleaners and was not required for less than 5 percent. For less than 5 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom performed, for 54.7 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred occasionally, 43.0 percent frequently, and for less than 0.5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for greater than 95 percent of maids and housekeeping cleaners and was not required for less than 5 percent.

On average, maids and housekeeping cleaners spent 2.1 percent of the workday sitting and 97.9 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of maids and housekeeping cleaners with physical demands, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Choice of sitting or standing	<0.5	>99.5
Driving	10.4	89.6
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	35.1	64.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey