How To Become A Cleaner/Shifter: What It Is and Career Path

What is a cleaner/shifter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A cleaner/shifter performs cleaning and organizing tasks in settings such as homes, offices, and warehouses. They keep spaces free from dirt and clutter while also shifting items or furniture as necessary. Cleaners/shifters may also maintain the equipment used during cleaning. They use equipment such as brooms, mops, vacuum cleaners, and dusters to complete their tasks efficiently. The job requires physical stamina and attention to detail to ensure thorough cleaning and organization.

ScoreCleaner/ShifterUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $31,510

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.7

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.73%

Asian 4.60%

Black or African American 13.25%

Hispanic or Latino 16.63%

Unknown 4.60%

White 59.19%

Gender

female 42.72%

male 57.28%

Age - 51

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 51

Stress level

5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

9.1

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a cleaner/shifter?

Pros

Flexible working hours
Can work alone and enjoy peace and quiet
Some employers offer benefits and bonuses
Might get discounts on products or services provided by the company
Opportunities for advancement within the company

Cons

Low pay compared to other jobs
Might have to work weekends, nights, or holidays
Might have to work in unpleasant environments (e.g. dirty or smelly areas)
Might have to work long hours without breaks
Might not receive proper training or equipment to do the job safely and effectively

Key steps to become a cleaner/shifter

Explore cleaner/shifter education requirements

Most common cleaner/shifter degrees

High School Diploma

54.3 %

Associate

13.0 %

Bachelor's

13.0 %

Start to develop specific cleaner/shifter skills

Skills	Percentages
Hand Tools	85.23%
Clean Windows	6.72%
Office Space	5.51%
Exterior Surfaces	1.53%
Clean Rooms	1.01%

Complete relevant cleaner/shifter training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cleaner/shifters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a cleaner/shifter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cleaner/shifter resumes.

Research cleaner/shifter duties and responsibilities

Execute commercial building following safety awareness to maintain cleanliness and neatness of working area and premises.
Clean multiple commercial building using industrialize buffers, scrubbers and/or vacuum equipment.

Prepare your cleaner/shifter resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your cleaner/shifter resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a cleaner/shifter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable cleaner/shifter resume templates

Build a professional cleaner/shifter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your cleaner/shifter resume.