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How to hire a building service worker

Building service worker hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring building service workers in the United States:

  • There are a total of 26,470 building service workers in the US, and there are currently 65,535 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a building service worker is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per building service worker on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Athens, GA, has the highest demand for building service workers, with 14 job openings.

How to hire a building service worker, step by step

To hire a building service worker, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a building service worker, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step building service worker hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a building service worker job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new building service worker
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a building service worker, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A building service worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, building service workers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of building service workers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Building Service WorkerDescriptionHourly rate
    Building Service WorkerJanitors and building cleaners keep many types of buildings clean, orderly, and in good condition.$10-15
    PorterA porter is responsible for managing the building's cleanliness and orderliness, together with the cleaning maintenance team. Duties of a porter include ensuring the premises' safety, operating cleaning tools and equipment, and performing basic troubleshooting for defective machines... Show more$11-17
    Floor StaffThe duties of floor staff depend on their line of work or industry of employment. In restaurants and similar establishments, floor staff is in charge of performing support tasks for the wait staff... Show more$10-24
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • WAX Floors
    • Snow Blowers
    • Scrubbers
    • Blowers
    • Building Services
    • Burnishers
    • Plumbing
    • Dust Mop
    • Clean Bathrooms
    • Office Buildings
    • Clean Windows
    • Building Maintenance
    • Snow Removal
    • Meeting Rooms
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Operate and provide maintenance for automatic scrubbers, power sweepers, vacuums and buffers used in connection with building cleaning.
    • Perform emergencies work requests, schedule and unschedule maintenance program, emergencies and coordinate special projects as directed.
    • Clean and disinfect lavatory areas including sinks, urinals and toilets using appropriate cleaning solutions.
    More building service worker duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your building service worker job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A building service worker can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, building service workers' average salary in louisiana is 50% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level building service workers 33% less than senior-level building service workers.
    • Certifications. A building service worker with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a building service worker's salary.

    Average building service worker salary

    $13.10hourly

    $27,257 yearly

    Entry-level building service worker salary
    $22,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 20, 2026

    Average building service worker salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Minnesota$33,058$16
    2New York$33,052$16
    3California$30,115$14
    4Massachusetts$29,375$14
    5Maine$28,861$14
    6Wisconsin$28,636$14
    7New Jersey$28,072$14
    8Indiana$27,621$13
    9Florida$26,007$13
    10Colorado$25,628$12
    11Illinois$25,491$12
    12Kansas$25,313$12
    13Maryland$24,602$12
    14Ohio$24,152$12
    15Utah$23,922$12
    16Georgia$23,771$11
    17Michigan$23,542$11
    18Texas$22,063$11

    Average building service worker salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1University of St. Thomas$39,227$18.861
    2City of Dallas Employees$39,036$18.771
    3University of Wisconsin System$37,898$18.222
    4The Brooklyn Hospital Center$32,502$15.63
    5Monroe County$31,985$15.381
    6University of Georgia Small Business Development Center$30,615$14.7279
    7Davidson College$30,474$14.654
    8The City of Margate$30,450$14.64
    9Weber County Library System$29,945$14.402
    10Emory University$29,905$14.382
    11L3Harris$29,833$14.341
    12Emory Healthcare$29,771$14.312
    13CJ$29,135$14.01
    14Metroparks Toledo$29,110$14.00
    15Meridian Health Services$29,039$13.962
    16San Diego$28,952$13.92
    17Montgomery County Public Schools$27,834$13.384
    18ManpowerGroup$27,750$13.3459
    19Stew Leonard's$27,509$13.23
    20RWJBarnabas Health$27,210$13.0816
  4. Writing a building service worker job description

    A building service worker job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a building service worker job description:

    Building service worker job description example

    Bentley University

    Job Description Summary
    The physical demands of this position range from LIGHT to MEDIUM. This position involves daily cleaning and maintenance activities including: cleaning wash rooms, rest rooms, floors, carpets, interior and exterior waste baskets, urns and receptacles; trash removal to waste collection areas; cleaning and polishing furniture, drinking fountains, brass and stainless fixtures, etc.; furniture moving and set up during university functions and seasonal salting , sanding and snow removal. These are completed in accordance with all applicable OSHA regulations and established schedules and procedures at Bentley University. Standing, walking, lifting, carrying and reaching are performed on a frequent to constant basis. Bending, pushing, pulling, climbing, kneeling and twisting are performed on an occasional to frequent basis. The heaviest physical demands are required during handling of floor and tile care products, paper and plastic supplies, furniture moving and snow removal. These activities require handling of 20-50 pounds of load resistance on an occasional basis. Heavier tasks may require the assistance of (2) or more co-workers.

    Essential Duties

    1. Performs all floor maintenance in accordance with industry standards.

    2. Properly cares for and maintains the equipment under their charge, vacuums, floor machines, etc.

    3. Safety shoes and Bentley uniforms are required to be worn at all times. Eye and hearing protection will need to be worn during certain tasks.

    4. Responsible for cleanliness and sanitation of buildings and adjacent ground areas. Empties and cleans interior and exterior waste baskets, smoking urns, and receptacles and delivers waste to designated collecting area. Maintains and monitors immediate building exterior.

    5. Cleans and polishes office furniture: e.g. desks, tables, book cases and file cabinets. Responsible for detail work: e.g. polishing brass, stainless steel, and drinking fountains.

    6. Cleans and dusts ledges, corners, baseboards, and all furniture without disturbing customer's personal belongings.

    7. Cleans and maintains a (clean for health) sanitary condition in both wash and rest rooms, drinking fountains, locker rooms, etc.

    8. Participates in training to keep and acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities to remain current with standard operational practices and revised standards.

    9. Follows proper clean-up and recycling procedures as well as observe all safety rules and regulations (including OSHAregulations) while handling and/or caring for Bentley tools and equipment, to avoid injury to self and others.

    10. Reports building damages, malfunctioning equipment, needed maintenance and/or repairs in assigned work areas.

    11. Moves and sets up furniture and equipment associated with on-going university operations and functions as per building specifications and frequencies. Performs light furniture moves in assigned buildings for cleaning and safety concerns.

    12. Responds to campus cleaning emergencies.

    13. Responds to emergency call-in situations.

    14. Interacts professionally with all members of the Bentley community.

    15. Inputs data into the computerized work order system, recording time and work order information.

    Other Duties

    1. Maintains and monitors immediate building exterior removing litter and snow, as well as the salting and sanding of walks, porches, entrances and stairways.

    2. Provides appropriate support during major campus activities including but not limited to: snow removal, freshman orientation, open house, opening/closing of school, baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate commencement.

    3. Changes lights bulbs as needed.

    4. May be required to assist other trades as directed by Facilities Manager.

    5. Performs all other related duties necessary to meet Facilities Management requirements.

    Minimum Qualifications

    1. A minimum of 1-3 years experience is preferred.

    2. Must be physically able to perform the essential duties of the position as set forth in this Position Content Description.

    3. Must be able to read, write and interpret all documents in the English language, e.g. safety rules, material data sheets (MSDS), operating repair, installation and procedure instruction manuals.

    4. Must be able to effectively interact and communicate with co-workers and supervisors.

    5. Must be available for emergency call in situations.

    6. Use of a motor vehicle is required for transportation of tools and equipment for job-related duties. Must hold and maintain a valid, unrestricted United States driver's license, with an insurable driving history as determined by Bentley's insurance carrier. May be required to drive a Bentley issued vehicle

    7. Properly uses and cares for Bentley tools, radios and equipment.

    Physical Demands

    1. Ability to squat, kneel and maintain bent postures from 5 minutes up to 10 minutes for a continuous duration, on an occasional to frequent basis.

    2. Ability to walk for up to 300-feet on a repetitive basis and climb up to 24 steps on an occasional basis.

    3. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds individually and up to 100-pounds with assistance, 0-72 inch height range, on an occasional to frequent basis.

    4. Ability to carry up to 25-pounds, at waist level for up to 25 feet on an occasional to frequent basis.

    5. Ability to push and pull against resistances up to 50-pounds on an occasional basis.

    6. Ability to extend reach with both arms, from floor level to overhead, handling up to 25-pounds on an occasional basis.

    7. Ability to manipulate small parts, machine and computer controls and various hand tools on a frequent basis.

    Work Environment
    • May be exposed to seasonal temperature extremes, including occasional wet and slippery conditions.
    • Occasionally working near moving mechanical parts is required.
    • Close spaces, working at heights, climbing both ladders and stairs, and working with various cleaning chemicals should also be expected on an occasional to frequent basis.
    • Noise levels may vary from moderate to occasionally high depending on the work situation.


    Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

    DIVERSITY STATEMENT

    Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.

    Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.

    PI193513958

  5. Post your job

    To find the right building service worker for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with building service workers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit building service workers who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your building service worker job on Zippia to find and recruit building service worker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting building service workers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new building service worker

    Once you've found the building service worker candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new building service worker. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a building service worker?

Hiring a building service worker comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting building service workers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of building service worker recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $27,257 per year for a building service worker, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for building service workers in the US typically range between $10 and $15 an hour.

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