House work:

Jobs in residential upkeep
Winter 2010–11 • Occupational Outlook Quarterly 23

Amy Bierer

Amy Bierer is an 

economist in the 

Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, 

BLS. She is available at (202) 691-

5090 or at bierer.

amy@bls.gov.

For many people, domestic bliss does 

not involve cleaning, home repairs, or 

yard work. But that doesn’t mean that 

their vision of a happy home involves a dirty, 

broken-down house with an unkempt yard. It 

simply means that they prefer to pay others to 

do the grittier tasks of residential upkeep. And 

in doing so, they create employment opportunities for the care and cleaning of homes.

This article highlights three occupations—handypersons, maids and housekeepers, and landscaping and groundskeeping 

workers—that involve specific types of house 

calls. These occupations may not be at the top 

of every jobseeker’s choice careers, but they 

offer some advantages. In general, entering these occupations requires little formal 

education, and paid training occurs on the job. 

Workers often have the opportunity to work 

part time, and self-employment is possible.

The following pages describe the job 

duties, training, wages, and more for each 

occupation. You’ll also find sources of additional information at the end of the article.

Handypersons

Most homeowners encounter household maintenance and repair projects that they can’t, 

won’t, or shouldn’t do themselves. Maybe 

a lock needs to be changed, a porch needs 

to be painted, or storm windows need to be 

installed. For these types of jobs, homeowners 

often rely on help from a handyperson.

Handypersons are fix-it generalists who 

have a knack for thinking through a problem 

to find a solution. They are hired to complete 

household maintenance and repair tasks that 

are not complex enough to require the specialized training of a licensed tradesperson, such 

as a plumber or electrician, but that require 

certain skills and knowledge. They also are 

responsible for recognizing when a job is 

above their skill level and requires the expertise of a tradesperson.

Handypersons usually know basic 

construction tasks. Services might involve 

both interior and exterior work and require 

a variety of skills. For example, replacing 

an outdoor light fixture could require basic 

carpentry skills, as well as an elementary 

knowledge of electrical wiring.

Most handyperson jobs for hire begin with 

meeting the prospective homeowner-client to 

learn about the work that needs to be done. 

Some jobs are straightforward and simple, but 

others may be complicated. The handyperson 

explains how he or she will approach the job 

and how much it should cost. A more detailed 

cost estimate might be provided when the 

homeowner hires the handyperson to do the 

job.

The variety of tasks that a handyperson 

performs can be complicated by the range of 

conditions under which he or she must work: 

in confined or cramped spaces, in all kinds of 

weather, or at great heights, for example. And 

because home maintenance and repair runs 

the gamut from simple to complex, handypersons must be adept at using many kinds of 

tools and at understanding wiring diagrams, 

installation instructions, and other informational documents.

Legal requirements governing handypersons vary by State and locality. Some jurisdictions require handypersons to register or file 

insurance paperwork. In most places, however, 

there are few barriers to entering the occupation. Many handypersons are self-employed, 

and others work for small companies.

There is an increasing trend toward large 

construction companies operating handyperson divisions for home maintenance and 

repair. These companies generally provide 

their employees with insurance, tax payments, 

and assignments.

Training and skills. There are few 

formal training requirements for becoming a 

handyperson, and specialized training is not 

required. Although most of a handyperson’s 

duties are not complex or difficult, they may 

need specialized knowledge and skills. Practical training, available at many adult education 

centers and community colleges, is helpful 

for learning tasks such as drywall repair and 

basic plumbing.

Math aptitude is especially useful for 

handypersons for tasks involving measuring and calculating areas. They also need 
24 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Winter 2010–11

good interpersonal skills to interact with a 

variety of clients. And because clients hire a 

handyperson to do work that they may not be 

able to be themselves, the handyperson must 

be able to communicate concepts in a way 

clients can understand.

Job market and wages. BLS does not 

collect employment and wage data specifically for handypersons. Their duties, however, 

closely match those of general maintenance 

and repair workers, an occupation for which 

BLS does produce data. In May 2009, there 

were nearly 1.3 million of these workers 

employed by establishments nationwide, and 

they earned a median annual wage of about 

$35,000. These data, however, exclude selfemployed workers, and anecdotal information 

suggests that many handypersons may fall 

into this category.

Employment of general maintenance and 

repair workers is expected to grow about as 

fast as the average for all occupations over 

the 2008–18 decade. But prospects should be 

excellent overall as the need arises to replace 

workers leaving this large occupation.

Maids and housekeepers

For most homeowners, a happy home is a tidy 

one. But housecleaning is sometimes considered more chore than cheer. Homeowners who 

would rather hire someone to do the work 

than to do it themselves turn to maids and 

housekeepers.

Maids and housekeepers clean and do a 

range of other household tasks. Typical duties 

include vacuuming, mopping, and dusting 

throughout the house, as well as sanitizing 

kitchens and bathrooms. Some maids and 

housekeepers also empty trash bins, wash 

dishes, and do laundry.

Almost anything inside a house can be 

cleaned or tidied by maids and housekeepers. 

For example, workers might wash windows; 

clean appliances; wash, fold, and iron clothes 

or other linens, such as tablecloths; polish 

furniture or silver; and clean floors.

When cleaning, maids and housekeepers must be careful with clients’ possessions. 

Clients usually pick up clutter before maids 

or housekeepers arrive, but some general 

straightening may be necessary. Workers often 

bring their own cleaning supplies, although 

sometimes clients prefer to provide certain 

products.

Work arrangements for maids and housekeepers vary considerably. Some maids and 

housekeepers are employed by large cleaning 

companies that service many homes; others 

are self-employed and have informal relationships with a few clients.

Larger companies handle most administrative tasks for their employees, such as 

scheduling and arranging payment from the 

client. Maids and housekeepers working for 

a company may be required to pass a background check, and the employer often must 

be able to secure a bond on the employee—a 

kind of insurance against losses to the client. 

These procedures protect the employee, the 

homeowner, and the service company.

Maids and housekeepers who are selfemployed usually manage scheduling and payment matters themselves. They also have other 

responsibilities, including building a clientele. 

Workers typically gain new clients through 

referrals from existing, satisfied ones.

Housekeeping is physical work but is 

generally not strenuous. Bending, standing 

for long periods, reaching and twisting, and 

repetitive motion are routine in this occupation. Maids and housekeepers also work with 

cleaning chemicals, which are sometimes 

toxic; however, cleaning products that are 

natural and less harmful are widely available.
Winter 2010–11 • Occupational Outlook Quarterly 25

include workers in hotels, hospitals, and other 

institutions, however, as well as residential 

housekeepers, and self-employed workers are 

excluded. Data also show that these workers earned a median annual wage of about 

$19,000.

BLS projects slower-than-average employment growth for maids and housekeepers over 

the 2008–18 decade. But prospects should be 

good because of the need to replace workers 

leaving this large occupation.

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

A beautiful yard helps homeowners present 

a favorable impression to visitors and passersby. And homeowners unwilling or unable 

to invest the time and effort to create such an 

impression may instead invest in the services 

of landscaping and groundskeeping workers.

Landscaping workers, also called landscapers, create aesthetically pleasing outdoor 

spaces. Groundskeeping workers, also called 

groundskeepers, maintain previously established landscapes. Although their duties are 

distinct, landscaping and groundskeeping 

workers may perform some of the same tasks 

and sometimes work together.

Landscapers begin a project by talking 

with a prospective client about what he or 

she wants. They take these preferences into 

account when planning a new design for front 

or backyard spaces. Then, landscapers measure the area and consider soil types, sunlight 

availability, and other factors before drawing 

up plans for the layout.

The work involved in each job depends 

on the landscaper’s vision—and the client’s 

budget. For example, landscapers might lay 

sod and plant trees, bushes, and flowers to 

enhance a yard’s beauty. By adding edging 

and mulch around their plantings, landscapers establish sections and help to minimize 

weeds. Retaining walls, walkways, patios, 

water gardens, and other structures create 

ambiance. And to address other considerations, such as safety or convenience, landscapers might install in-ground lights or 

sprinklers.

Maids and housekeepers must understand 

what each client expects, such as which rooms 

are to be cleaned or which linens are to be 

changed. Because the client is frequently 

absent from the home while the cleaning is 

done, details of the job must be explained 

before the time or price is established. For 

example, clients might request that additional 

rooms be cleaned thoroughly for special occasions, such as a family party, in which case 

workers must adjust their schedules and the 

amount they charge for that particular day.

Training and skills. Formal training is 

rarely required for maids and housekeepers. 

But some knowledge, such as how to safely 

and efficiently use cleaning chemicals and 

equipment, is essential.

Maids and housekeepers interact with 

clients and may work as part of a team, so 

interpersonal skills are important. Basic math 

and accounting are helpful in calculating and 

tracking payment, especially for those who 

are self-employed.

Job market and wages. There were about 

888,000 maids and housekeepers employed 

in establishments across the United States 

in May 2009, according to BLS. These data 
26 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Winter 2010–11

After completing installation of their 

design, landscapers must devise a plan for its 

upkeep. This plan, which also requires client 

approval, includes timetables for watering 

plantings, mowing the lawn, and trimming 

existing vegetation.

Groundskeepers implement the plan 

for maintaining existing yards. In addition 

to watering and mowing, they might apply 

fertilizers or other lawn products to eliminate 

weeds or pests. They also trim grass in areas 

that the lawnmower can’t reach and replenish 

mulch around plants, as needed.

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers 

use tools such as push and ride-on lawn mowers, clippers, rakes, and shovels. Some lawncare work may require use of tractors, backhoes, or other heavy equipment. Repairing 

and maintaining these tools and equipment is 

another of their tasks.

Work arrangements for landscapers and 

groundskeepers vary. Many of these workers 

are self-employed; others work for landscaping companies. Their jobs are physically 

demanding and often require working in 

severe weather, including extreme temperatures.

Except in warmer regions of the United 

States, landscaping and groundskeeping 

work is largely seasonal. Workers are usually busiest during the growing seasons, but 

opportunities also exist at other times—for 

raking and mulching leaves in the fall, for 

example, and for clearing snow or ice from 

walkways and driveways in the winter.

Training and skills. There are no specific educational requirements for landscaping and groundskeeping workers. To advance 

or specialize, however, formal training in 

horticulture or landscape design is beneficial. 

This training is available at community colleges and adult education centers. In addition, 

professional organizations offer certification 

based on experience and successful completion of an examination.

Because of the work involved in these 

occupations, landscapers and groundskeepers 

should be physically fit. And workers must be 

able to work with poisonous or allergy-inducing plants and insects, as well as fertilizers, 

pesticides, and other chemicals.

Some States require that landscape 

contractors be licensed, and most require 

certification or licensure—usually acquired 

by completing a written test—for those who 

apply pesticides. And workers who operate 

motor vehicles or heavy equipment must have 

the relevant driver’s or operator’s license.

Job market and wages. Landscaping and 

groundskeeping workers held almost 860,000 

wage and salary jobs in May 2009, according to BLS. Their annual median wage was 
Winter 2010–11 • Occupational Outlook Quarterly 27

about $23,000. These data, however, exclude 

the self-employed, and other BLS data suggest that a significant number of people in 

these occupations work for themselves. Higher 

skilled workers are often able to earn more.

BLS projects employment of landscaping 

and groundskeeping workers to grow faster 

than average over the 2008–18 decade. This 

growth is expected to come from both commercial and residential clients. Factors driving 

residential growth include time constraints 

faced by an increasing number of dual-income 

households and physical limitations of an 

aging population.

For more information

In addition to the occupations described in 

this article, other workers serve people’s 

household-care needs. The Occupational 

Outlook Handbook has descriptions of a 

wide variety of occupations, including their 

job duties, wages, training requirements, and 

more. Find the Handbook in libraries, career 

centers, or online at www.bls.gov/ooh.

Professional associations also offer information for people interested in the careers 

discussed in the article.

For general information about handypersons, contact:

The Association of Certified Handyman 

Professionals

www.achpnet.org

For general information about maids and 

housekeepers, contact:

The Association of Residential Cleaning 

Services International

7870 Olentangy River Rd., Suite 300

Columbus, OH 43235

(614) 547–0887

www.arcsi.org

For information about landscaping and 

groundskeeping workers, contact:

The Professional Landcare Network

950 Herndon Pkwy., Suite 450

Herndon, VA 20176

Toll free: 1 (800) 395–2522

www.landcarenetwork.org

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