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Cleaner, Rug Cleaner, Upholstery Cleaner
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Duties vary from one job to another. In general, carpet and upholstery cleaners:
Most carpet and upholstery cleaners start work early. They work until they have done all the jobs for the day. They may work evenings or weekends.
Carpet and upholstery cleaners work in many different places. Worksites include customers’ homes, commercial workspaces, and cleaning plants. There is often a limit to how far they will travel.
They may have to work for long periods on their hands and knees. Being physically fit and agile is important.
Safety is important in this job. Wet surfaces can cause slip-and-fall injuries. Repetitive tasks can lead to repetitive strain injuries. Working with solvents can also give rise safety concerns.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in operating specialized cleaning machines
Interest in comparing to clean carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture on customers' premises or in carpet- and upholstery-cleaning establishments
Interest in selecting appropriate cleaning agents to remove stains from materials
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Carpet and upholstery cleaners need:
They should enjoy operating cleaning machines and having clear and organized methods for their work. They need to know which cleaning agents will remove which stains.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 170 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Sep 06, 2024 and Dec 21, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Operate cleaning machines | 136 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Clean interior and exterior of motor vehicles | 116 |
| Tasks: Wash and clean interior and exterior windows and other glass surfaces | 109 |
| Tasks: Provide customer service | 100 |
| Experience: Will train | 98 |
| Attention to detail | 96 |
| Tasks: Vacuum floors | 83 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 80 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 74 |
| Tasks: Shampoo upholstery | 68 |
Most carpet and upholstery cleaners train on the job. There are no standard education or certification requirements. However, they need a valid driver’s license.
Employers may prefer applicants with a high school diploma or related experience and training. Examples include safety training and fabric cleaning experience. Some employers require applicants to:
Some post-secondary schools and continuing education departments offer related courses. These may be advertised locally.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation. However, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification offers certification for carpet and upholstery cleaners who have taken approved training courses and passed the accompanying written exam with a minimum score of 75%.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Some carpet and upholstery cleaners choose self-employment. Others work for carpet cleaning companies or department stores. Applicants should research a company’s background before applying. Companies can have different business practices, training approaches, and pay structures. For example, some companies supply workers with van-mounted cleaning units. Others require workers to use portable machines and drive their own vehicles.
Carpet and upholstery cleaners can become supervisors or start their own companies.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Specialized cleaners
2016 NOC: 6732
75.8% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This occupation has a high turnover rate, so demand for new workers is steady. There may be many applicants for vacant positions.
Carpet and upholstery cleaners’ earnings vary. Some earn hourly wages plus commissions based on the amount of work. Others earn either additional or straight commission based on product sales. For those working on full commission, earnings can vary a lot from one worker to another and one month to another. Earnings depend on the number of jobs completed and the number of products sold.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $23.40 | $16.97 | $15.25 |
| Overall | $15.00 | $29.00 | $18.80 | $16.73 |
| Top | $16.50 | $34.02 | $21.71 | $19.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $33,593 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $54,070 |
| Manufacturing | $42,129 |
| Wholesale Trade | $38,194 |
| Retail Trade | $36,151 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $42,342 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $9,141 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $24,776 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $32,033 |
| Public Administration | $45,283 |
Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification website: www.iicrc.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
