Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 

workers

This occupational group includes janitors, maids and 

housekeeping cleaners, pest control, landscaping, pesticide 

handlers, tree trimmers, and grounds maintenance workers.

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 12.8 

percent of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 

workers, and basic people skills were required for 87.2 

percent.

Table 1. Percentage of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers with cognitive 

and mental requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 73.7 26.3

Interaction with general public 55.3 44.7

Working around crowds 2.3 97.7

Telework <0.5 >99.5

Work review: Supervising others 8.9 91.1

Work review: Presence of supervisor 44.7 55.3

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-the-job training, 

and prior work experience 

necessary for average 

performance in jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 28.3 percent of 

building and grounds cleaning 

and maintenance workers. Prior 

work experience was required 

for 20.7 percent and on-the-job 

training was required for 90.6 

percent.

No minimum education was 

required for 68.7 percent of 

building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers and a high school diploma was required for 30.0 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 

building and grounds cleaning and 

maintenance workers were not exposed 

to extreme cold, and 98.8 percent were 

not exposed to extreme heat. Wetness 

was not present for 22.6 percent, 92.8 

percent were not exposed to heavy 

vibrations, and 26.2 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 98.0 percent of building and 

grounds cleaning and maintenance workers 

and was not required for 2.0 percent. For 7.4 

percent of workers, reaching at or below the 

shoulder was seldom performed, for 54.3 

percent reaching at or below the shoulder 

occurred occasionally, 33.1 percent 

frequently, and for 3.2 percent reaching at or 

below the shoulder occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 97.8 percent of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 

workers and was not required for 2.2 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 7.7 percent of building and grounds cleaning 

and maintenance workers. On average, workers spent 11.8 percent of the workday sitting and 88.2 percent of the 

workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance workers with physical 

demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 7.7 92.3

Driving 37.4 62.6

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 38.1 61.9

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