Domestic cleaner
Also known as: cleaning maid, cleaning lady, personal maid, chambermaid, housekeeper, household worker
About this occupation
Domestic cleaners perform all necessary cleaning activities in order to clean their clients' houses. They vacuum and sweep floors, wash dishes, launder clothes, dust, scrub and polish surfaces and disinfect equipment and materials.
Essential skills and knowledge
- maintain the cleanliness of the toilet facilities
- clean surfaces
- iron textiles
- restock toilet facilities' supplies
- handle chemical cleaning agents
- maintain cleaning equipment
- clean glass surfaces
- wash the laundry
- maintain personal hygiene standards when cleaning
- vacuum surfaces
- maintain inventory of cleaning supplies
- work ergonomically
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners (O*NET 37-2011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Service, clean, or supply restrooms.
- Gather and empty trash.
- Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.
- Monitor building security and safety by performing tasks such as locking doors after operating hours or checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created.
- Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.
- Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Coordination, Time Management
US median pay: US$36,840 a year (2025), 2,209,760 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
- Dishwashers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
- Floor Sanders and Finishers
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.