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Home Cleaner, Home Service Professional, Housekeeper, Light Duty Cleaner, Residential Maid
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 depending on what the customer needs and wants. In general, house cleaners do routine cleaning tasks each time they visit. They may perform other cleaning tasks as needed, such as when people move.
Routinely, house cleaners:
Occasionally, house cleaners may:
House cleaners usually work Monday to Friday starting at about 8 am. They work until the day’s assignments are done. This is usually between 3 and 4:30 pm.
Cleaners employed by house cleaning companies often work in teams of 2 or more. They may drive a company car or their own car from home to home. House cleaning teams usually clean 3 to 4 homes a day. Most of the time, the company provides cleaning supplies and equipment.
Self-employed house cleaners often work alone. Solo cleaners visit fewer homes during a single day. They may use the client’s supplies and equipment or provide their own.
Some house cleaning duties are physically demanding. They may involve standing for long periods of time. They may include climbing step ladders, bending, and stretching. Cleaning involves many repetitive movements.
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 copying instructions to clean lobbies, hallways, offices and rooms of hotels, hospitals, schools, office buildings and private residences, and to disinfect operating rooms and other hospital areas
Interest in handling equipment to sweep, mop, wash, wax and polish floors, and to vacuum carpeting and area rugs, draperies and upholstered furniture
Interest in inspecting surfaces and objects for dust, dirt and grease to determine appropriate cleaning products to use
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.
House cleaners need:
They should enjoy having clear rules and guidelines and working in an unstructured environment.
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 614 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Apr 14, 2024 and Apr 18, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Sweep, mop, wash and polish floors | 593 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Dust furniture | 536 |
| Tasks: Pick up debris and empty trash containers | 514 |
| Tasks: Vacuum carpeting, area rugs, draperies and upholstered furniture | 498 |
| Experience: Will train | 428 |
| Tasks: Wash windows, walls and ceilings | 412 |
| Tasks: Clean, disinfect and polish kitchen and bathroom fixtures and appliances | 411 |
| Tasks: Handle and report lost and found items | 316 |
| Attention to detail | 303 |
| Tasks: Disinfect operating rooms and other areas | 266 |
Residential cleaning companies usually provide training on the job. Some employers may prefer applicants to have a high school diploma. Employment and character references usually are required. Some employers require a criminal record check. They also like workers to have a driver’s abstract.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
House cleaners may be self-employed. Others are employed part time or full time by residential cleaning service companies.
House cleaners may move into related occupations such as housekeeping attendant and institutional housekeeper. In larger companies, cleaners may rise into supervisor or office positions.
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.
In the 6731: Light duty cleaners occupational group, 81.6% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 6731: Light duty cleaners occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.5% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 705 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
House cleaners may be paid hourly wages. Sometimes they are paid by the job. This is called piece work.
Some employers provide a vehicle and gas. Others may pay extra when the cleaner uses their own car.
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.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $19.91 | $16.54 | $15.75 |
| Overall | $15.00 | $23.08 | $17.80 | $16.75 |
| Top | $15.60 | $25.91 | $19.94 | $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 | $28,401 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $37,669 |
| Manufacturing | $46,279 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $26,248 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $27,496 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $28,663 |
| Educational Services | $39,622 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $30,122 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $27,213 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $21,186 |
| Public Administration | $43,982 |
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.
