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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:
| Starting | $16.17 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $17.17 |
| Top | $18.74 |
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
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 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.
Duties vary depending on what the customer needs and wants. In general, house cleaners do routine cleaning tasks each time they visit. They may do 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 a.m. They work until the day’s assignments are done. This is usually between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Self-employed house cleaners often work alone. 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. Solo cleaners visit fewer homes during a single day. Most of the time, the company provides cleaning supplies and equipment.
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. There are many repetitive movements.
House cleaners need:
They should enjoy:
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jun 24, 2021 and Aug 03, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Sweep, mop, wash and polish floors | 98 |
|---|---|
| Pick up debris and empty trash containers | 95 |
| Dust furniture | 90 |
| Vacuum carpeting, area rugs, draperies and upholstered furniture | 83 |
| Clean, disinfect and polish kitchen and bathroom fixtures and appliances | 80 |
| Handle and report lost and found items | 74 |
| Distribute clean towels and toiletries | 73 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 73 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 71 |
| Make beds and change sheets | 69 |
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.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
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.
House cleaners are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6731: Light duty cleaners. In Alberta, 81% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation 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.
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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $19.24 | $16.17 | $15.50 |
| Overall | $15.00 | $20.50 | $17.17 | $16.55 |
| Top | $15.00 | $23.09 | $18.74 | $18.00 |
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.
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.
| Public Administration | $41,612 |
|---|---|
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $32,912 |
| Educational Services | $32,769 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $29,849 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $27,544 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $27,075 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $26,642 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $24,483 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $24,099 |
Updated Mar 19, 2018. 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.