Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or 

commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner. 

Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and 

vacuuming.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, 

and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2023, more than basic people skills were required for 2.3 percent of maids and 

housekeeping cleaners, and basic people skills were required for 97.7 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of maids and housekeeping cleaners with cognitive and mental 

requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 75.2 24.8

Interaction with general public 73.7 26.3

Working around crowds <5 >95

Telework <0.5 >99.5

Work review: Supervising others 1.7 98.3

Work review: Presence of supervisor 41.9 58.1

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal 

education required, 

credentials necessary, on-thejob training, and prior work 

experience necessary for 

average performance in jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 7.1 percent of 

maids and housekeeping 

cleaners. Prior work 

experience was required for 

7.2 percent and on-the-job 

training was required for 98.0 

percent.

No minimum education was 

required for 69.6 percent of 

maids and housekeeping 

cleaners and a high school 

diploma was required for 30.4 percent.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or 

difficulties that are in the vicinity of where 

jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2023, greater than 99.5 percent of maids 

and housekeeping cleaners were not 

exposed to extreme cold, and greater than 

99.5 percent were not exposed to extreme 

heat. Wetness was not present for 17.7 

percent, greater than 99.5 percent were 

not exposed to heavy vibrations, and 63.8 

percent were not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to 

perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some 

cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2023, reaching at or below the shoulder was 

required for 98.8 percent of maids and 

housekeeping cleaners and was not required for 

1.2 percent. For 6.4 percent of workers, reaching 

at or below the shoulder was seldom performed, 

for 52.7 percent reaching at or below the 

shoulder occurred occasionally, 35.5 percent 

frequently, and for 4.2 percent reaching at or 

below the shoulder occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required 

for greater than 99.5 percent of maids and 

housekeeping cleaners and was not required for less than 0.5 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 2.4 percent of maids and housekeeping 

cleaners. On average, workers spent 4.3 percent of the workday sitting and 95.7 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of maids and housekeeping cleaners with physical demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 2.4 97.6

Driving 7.2 92.8

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 32.7 67.3

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey