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How to hire a lead janitor

Lead janitor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring lead janitors in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a lead janitor is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per lead janitor on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 442,216 lead janitors in the US, and there are currently 17,818 job openings in this field.
  • Washington, DC, has the highest demand for lead janitors, with 5 job openings.

How to hire a lead janitor, step by step

To hire a lead janitor, 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 lead janitor, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step lead janitor hiring guide:

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

    Before you start hiring a lead janitor, 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 lead janitor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, lead janitors 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 lead janitors and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Lead JanitorDescriptionHourly rate
    Lead JanitorJanitors and building cleaners keep many types of buildings clean, orderly, and in good condition.$10-20
    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
    Floor TechnicianA floor technician's role is to maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of various areas within an establishment. Their responsibilities include operating cleaning equipment, conducting minimal repairs and inventory checks, arranging furniture and fixtures, organizing supplies, and keeping floors free from obstructions... Show more$11-18
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Commercial Cleaning
    • Cleanliness
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Glass Partitions
    • Ladders
    • OSHA
    • Building Security
    • Building Maintenance
    • Trash Removal
    • Safety Procedures
    • Building Floors
    • Clean Bathrooms
    • Clean Carpets
    • Floor Care
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Clean restrooms, clean mirrors and sinks, wash toilets and urinals.
    • Complete payroll hours for fellow employees.
    • Used numerous cleaning supplies and machines, including floor scrubbers
    • Maintain cleanliness and sanitation in to ensure the safety of staff and students.
    • Record and submit payroll, bookkeeping and financial audits of payroll and invoices.
    • Maintain floors, stripping, waxing and buffing with automatic scrubbers at various locations.
    More lead janitor duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the lead janitor job description is a good way to get more applicants. A lead janitor salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a lead janitor in South Carolina may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level lead janitor. Additionally, a lead janitor with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average lead janitor salary

    $14.85hourly

    $30,888 yearly

    Entry-level lead janitor salary
    $22,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 13, 2025

    Average lead janitor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$40,133$19
    2California$39,089$19
    3Wisconsin$37,253$18
    4Alaska$36,406$18
    5District of Columbia$36,214$17
    6New York$34,169$16
    7Pennsylvania$31,449$15
    8Colorado$29,385$14
    9Arizona$28,868$14
    10Michigan$28,588$14
    11Montana$28,356$14
    12Virginia$27,640$13
    13Missouri$27,364$13
    14Indiana$27,277$13
    15North Carolina$25,774$12
    16Texas$25,714$12
    17Tennessee$25,054$12
    18Arkansas$23,627$11
    19Louisiana$18,198$9

    Average lead janitor salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Wegmans Food Markets$33,819$16.2622
    2The Arc of the Ozarks$31,560$15.17
    3Sigue$31,277$15.04
    4Compass Group USA$31,129$14.97500
    5Goldbelt Falcon$31,054$14.93
    6Scheels$29,114$14.00
    7Crossroads Diversified Services$28,771$13.8326
    8ABM Industries$28,756$13.82227
    9Olympus Building Services$28,735$13.81
    10The Budd Group$28,731$13.81
    11Service Master Clean$28,550$13.7361
    12Kimco Facility Services$28,532$13.72
    13Randstad North America, Inc.$28,442$13.67
    14Relay Resources$28,102$13.51
    15Goodwill of Orange County$24,400$11.73
  4. Writing a lead janitor job description

    A lead janitor 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 lead janitor job description:

    Lead janitor job description example

    Job Code: V74 Janitor Lead

    SCA Occup :

    Salary Grade: Federal Wage Determination or Collective Bargaining Agreement

    FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

    Approval Date: January 2018

    SUPERVISES:

    There are no direct reports with this position.

    POSITION SUMMARY:

    Under limited supervision, the Janitorial Lead Worker leads a work team of diverse individuals, while prioritizing, assigning and coordinating team activities to clean and detail assigned facilities at the customer site, ensuring that the assigned facilities are clean and free of safety hazards. This job class requires practical skill and knowledge of janitorial practices, equipment, supplies and procedures and the ability to perform quality work with attention to knowing and using safe work practices.

    TYPICAL DUTIES:

    1. *Prioritize and assign tasks, including coordination of work schedules to ensure coverage, rebalancing as necessary for special projects and customer satisfaction.

    2. *Maintain supplies, stock and equipment to ensure proper operation and safe condition.

    3. *Understand and train workers in the safe and proper use of products and equipment to meet quality and safety standards.

    4. *Train and assist workers in performing duties, working alongside them on the same tasks.

    5. *Perform cleaning services using proper equipment and supplies, and follow procedures for safe use and operation.

    6. *Clean and detail facilities. Remove trash; dusts/polish equipment, furniture, or fixtures; vacuum carpets, clean walls, arrange furniture, and clean window blinds.

    7. *Clean lavatories, showers, and restrooms, using correct chemicals on all surfaces. Dust and wipe-down all fixtures, fill all dispensers, empty trash containers, and mop and deodorize floor.

    8. *Clean assigned common areas, including hallways, stairwells, and cafeterias and/or break areas. Remove trash from all trash containers and line containers with clean plastic bags. Clean tables and microwaves. Fill dispensers.

    9. *Clean spills.

    10. *When trained, oversees the waxing and buffing of floors on a regular basis.

    11. *Monitor progress of tasks and inspect completed work, including outside grounds, to ensure quality.

    12. *Investigate discrepancies and report them to management, recommending improvements to resolve issues;

    13. *Oversees the cleaning and maintenance of janitorial equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper operation and safe condition.

    14. *Monitor usage of inventory, supplies and equipment. Initiate supply/repair orders when inventory is low or replacements/repair are required.

    15. *Prepare records and reports as needed.

    16. *Maintain a good relationship with workers and customer.

    17. Frequent travel between facilities or buildings may be required; may be required to drive a company vehicle.

    18. Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

    * Denotes Essential Job Function

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

    • Must meet all requirements of the worker position being led;

    • At least one year of janitorial, building maintenance or related experience;

    • Experience working with adults with developmental disabilities and/or physical challenges preferred;

    • Knowledge of company safety policies and procedures;

    • Knowledge of departmental operations, procedures, and organizational policies;

    • Ability to manage material resources and time, and to work independently and as a team.

    • Knowledge of specialized departmental equipment including what is used in janitorial services;

    • Ability to train employees in proper departmental practices and procedures, including safety and proper use of PPE, tools, and equipment;

    • Ability to communicate effectively; to present information and respond to questions from managers, workers, clients, customers and others; and to escalate matters appropriately;

    • Human relations skills to build effective working relationships;

    • Mathematical ability including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division;

    • Flexibility to adapt to changing work priorities;

    • Demonstrated organizational, problem solving and common sense skills;

    • Ability to travel to local facilities on a frequent basis.

    EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

    Not Applicable

    CERTIFICATES REQUIRED:?

    The following licenses or certificates may be required depending on local, state and/or contract requirements:

    Valid Driver's License

    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

    Employees must have the ability to perform the following physical demands for extended periods of time with or without assistance:

    • Maneuvering in and around the worksite

    • Standing and walking

    • Bending, kneeling, reaching, and stooping

    • Lifting boxes or equipment weighing up to 35 pounds, and up to 50 pounds occasionally

    • Pushing or pulling objects such as vacuums, carts, mops, etc.

    • May be required to push/pull equipment weighing up to 70 pounds

    • Grasping both small & large objects

    • Climbing ladders and/or step stools

    WORK ENVIRONMENT:

    Work is performed in an office environment, or at a customer’s location, such as a commissary environment, a federal courthouse, or a military base. Employees may be exposed to toxic chemicals, noise from equipment in maintenance environment, and depending on indoor and outdoor conditions, exposure to cold or heat.

    DISCLAIMER:

    The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job. Employees are expected to follow their supervisor’s instructions and to perform the tasks requested by their supervisors.

    At PRIDE, we make a difference in the lives of many, one job at a time.

    How to Apply:

    If you are interested in working for this unique organization that blends business with a social mission, please apply online at?www.prideindustries.com.PRIDE Industries is a VEVRAA federal contractor committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Visit our website to learn more!

    ?

    PRIDE will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

    ?

    PRIDE will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all federal, state, and local laws.

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find lead janitors for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your lead janitor job on Zippia to find and recruit lead janitor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting lead janitors 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 lead janitor

    Once you've decided on a perfect lead janitor candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new lead janitor. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  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.)
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How much does it cost to hire a lead janitor?

There are different types of costs for hiring lead janitors. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new lead janitor employee.

The median annual salary for lead janitors is $30,888 in the US. However, the cost of lead janitor hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a lead janitor for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $10 and $20 an hour.

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