Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Food service, cleaning, and personal care / 37-2011.00

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.

US jobs
2,209,760
Median wage
$36,840 a year
Job family
Food service, cleaning, and personal care

Can agents do the work of janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Food service, cleaning, and personal care: Not yet (first measured in the last 12 months)

Direct benchmarks exist, but agents complete less than 20% of their tasks.

Evidence: BEHAVIOR Challenge 2025, 12.4% of tasks fully completed (Full task success rate).

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 40%Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areasNot measured
  • 12%Prepare mixtures or solutionsNot measured
  • 8%Dispose of waste or debrisNot measured
  • 8%Communicate with others about operational plans or activitiesNot measured
  • 7%Move materials, equipment, or suppliesNot measured
  • 6%Select materials or equipment for operations or projectsNot measured
  • 6%Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or propertiesNot measured
  • 5%Operate transportation equipment or vehiclesNot measured

Benchmarks for this occupation

These benchmarks name this occupation in their job mapping.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in food service, cleaning, and personal care, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Service, clean, or supply restrooms.
  • Gather and empty trash.
  • Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.
  • Monitor building security and safety by performing tasks such as locking doors after operating hours or checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created.
  • Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.
  • Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.
  • Mix water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications.
  • Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees.
  • Requisition supplies or equipment needed for cleaning and maintenance duties.
  • Dust furniture, walls, machines, or equipment.
  • Clean and polish furniture and fixtures.
  • Move heavy furniture, equipment, or supplies, either manually or with hand trucks.
Other job titles for this occupation (80)

Building Custodian · Building Services Technician (Building Services Tech) · Building Services Worker · Cleaner · Custodial Worker · Custodian · Facilities Worker · Heavy Duty Custodian · Janitor · School Custodian · Airport Attendant · Alley Cleaner · Blinds Cleaner · Blinds Washer · Brass Cleaner · Brass Polisher · Building Attendant · Building Exterior Cleaner · Building Maintenance Custodian · Camp Attendant · Camp Tender · Campground Cleaning Attendant · Carpet Cleaner · Carpet Cleaning Technician (Carpet Cleaning Tech) · Casino Porter · Change House Attendant · Chimney Sweep · Chore Worker · Cleaning and Maintenance Worker · Cleaning Custodian · Cleaning Handyman · Cleaning Helper · Cleaning Laborer · Cleaning Porter · Cleaning Technician (Cleaning Tech) · Coach Cleaner · Commercial Cleaner · Custodial Aide · Custodial Engineer · Custodial Laborer · Custodial Maintenance Worker · Day Porter · Dormitory Keeper · Duct Cleaner · Environmental Services Aide · Environmental Services Associate · Facility Services Associate · Floor Buffer · Floor Care Specialist · Floor Cleaner · Floor Person · Floor Polisher · Floor Scrubber · Floor Sweeper · Floor Technician (Floor Tech) · Floor Waxer · Furnace Caretaker · General Cleaner · Hall Cleaner · Hired Man · Hired Worker · Home Restoration Service Cleaner · Hospital Cleaner · Industrial Cleaner · Industrial Plant Custodian · Industrial Sweeper · Institutional Cleaner · Janitorial Associate · Janitorial Cleaner · Janitorial Maintenance Worker · Janitorial Worker · Labor Custodian · Lamp Replacer · Latrine Cleaner · Light Bulb Replacer · Light Fixture Servicer · Maintenance Aide · Maintenance Assistant · Maintenance Custodian · Maintenance Helper