How to hire a sanitation worker

How to hire a sanitation worker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step sanitation 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 sanitation worker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new sanitation worker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a sanitation worker do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The sanitation worker hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A sanitation worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, sanitation 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.

   This list presents sanitation worker salaries for various positions.

   Type of Sanitation Worker	Description	Hourly rate
   Sanitation Worker	Janitors and building cleaners keep many types of buildings clean, orderly, and in good condition.	$12-19
   Floor Technician	A 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
   Custodian	A custodian, also referred to as janitor, is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and helping protect all facilities. Custodians make sure everything is clean, neat, in order, and free from clutter and safe... Show more	$11-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Cleanliness
   • Pallet Jack
   • Food Safety
   • Safety Standards
   • Production Equipment
   • Safety Procedures
   • Recyclable Materials
   • GMP
   • USDA
   • PPE
   • Safety Regulations
   • Sanitize Equipment
   • Clean Machines
   • Production Lines

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate a forklift for logistic, to manage and relocate BMW's fixture material.
   • Use power equipment such as floor sweepers, vacuums, scrubbers, mops, power washers.
   • Maintain cleanliness of entire facility according to OSHA and FDA regulations
   • Drive heavy equipment with CDL'S.
   • Train on (loto) lockout tag out
   • Landscape work including edging, mulching and mowing.

   More sanitation worker duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the sanitation worker job description is a good way to get more applicants. A sanitation worker 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 sanitation worker in New Mexico may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level sanitation worker. Additionally, a sanitation worker with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average sanitation worker salary

   $15.94hourly

   $33,159 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level sanitation worker salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average sanitation worker salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$43,454	$21
   2	Washington	$43,203	$21
   3	Oregon	$40,766	$20
   4	New York	$36,830	$18
   5	Colorado	$36,802	$18
   6	Montana	$35,701	$17
   7	Illinois	$34,310	$17
   8	Arizona	$34,256	$16
   9	Utah	$33,877	$16
   10	New Jersey	$33,801	$16
   11	Missouri	$33,523	$16
   12	Pennsylvania	$33,016	$16
   13	Indiana	$32,526	$16
   14	Ohio	$31,371	$15
   15	Tennessee	$31,334	$15
   16	Texas	$30,126	$14
   17	North Carolina	$28,056	$13
   18	Florida	$26,604	$13
   19	Alabama	$25,909	$12

   Average sanitation worker salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Michigan State University	$43,017	$20.68
   2	City of Maricopa	$42,505	$20.44
   3	Dairy Farmers of America	$42,230	$20.30	16
   4	Nation Pizza	$42,074	$20.23
   5	Ventura Foods	$41,159	$19.79	1
   6	Calavo Growers	$40,162	$19.31
   7	Wells Enterprises	$40,106	$19.28
   8	Cargill	$39,786	$19.13	21
   9	City of Huntsville	$39,735	$19.10
   10	City	$39,707	$19.09
   11	Metro Nashville	$39,698	$19.09
   12	Ilitch Holdings	$39,412	$18.95
   13	City of Pasadena	$39,276	$18.88	1
   14	Post Holdings	$39,233	$18.86	30
   15	Winchester, Kentucky	$39,107	$18.80	2
   16	TreeHouse Foods	$38,808	$18.66	6
   17	Hain Celestial	$38,778	$18.64	3
   18	City of Ocala	$38,721	$18.62
   19	Lifeway Kefir	$38,395	$18.46	3
   20	Amy's Kitchen	$38,297	$18.41

4. Writing a sanitation worker job description

   A good sanitation worker job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a sanitation worker job description:

   Sanitation worker job description example

   Hours per week
   25 hours per week (5 days)

   Shift Hours
   Varies. 5 days a week (will include Saturday or Sunday )

   Hourly rate
   $19.20

   Job Description
   Sanitarians are responsible for safely sanitizing the Production Processing Facility, various types of production equipment and other areas as needed by following the proper procedures.
   Personal protection equipment (PPE) will be provided and must be worn during the shift.
   The work environment is 35°F, noisy and windy.

   Physical Requirements
   Must be able to stand, stoop or bend for long periods of time.
   Able to work in a cold, loud environment.
   Able to lift 50 pounds.
   Able to work unscheduled hours when needed.

   Training Prerequisites
   CGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices), video & quiz
   Human Safety Orientation, video & quiz
   HAZCOM (Hazard Communication), video & quiz
   LOTO (Lock Out Tag Out), video & quiz
   Sanitation Team Member PPE & GMP Training Check List (completed)
   Air Gun, video & quiz
   Eye wash drench shower, OPL
   Ladder Training, video & quiz

   Company DescriptionMonroe Staffing, a division of Staffing 360 Solutions, has been servicing companies for 50 years. Our clients range from Fortune 100 to new start-up organizations. We work with job seekers in an equally broad range within the light industrial sector. With offices throughout the Northeast and our newest offices in North and South Carolina, we make it our business to know the local employment markets and our clients’ industries. Monroe Staffing provides a broad range of employment services and best practices approach. From last-minute fill-ins to long-term strategic staffing plans; from a single high-level executive placement to a project team of specialists, we’ve developed effective strategies for finding and screening the most qualified staff based on our clients’ needs. For larger staffing projects, Monroe Staffing offers both vendor on-site and partial on-site solutions.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find sanitation workers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any sanitation workers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level sanitation workers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your sanitation worker job on Zippia to find and recruit sanitation worker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit sanitation workers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 sanitation worker

   Once you have selected a candidate for the sanitation worker position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the 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.

   To prepare for the new sanitation worker first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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 sanitation worker?