Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 58%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 58% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 2,209,760 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $36,840 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 58% for contact with people.
- Also called: Building Custodian, Building Services Technician (Building Services Tech), Building Services Worker, Cleaner.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming | 27% | 30% to 75% | |
| Service, clean, or supply restrooms | 17% | 3% to 30% | |
| Gather and empty trash | 15% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Dust furniture, walls, machines, or equipment | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean and polish furniture and fixtures | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| 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 | 3% | 20% to 60% | |
| Move heavy furniture, equipment, or supplies, either manually or with hand trucks | 3% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $37,800
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $34,890
- Histology Technicians49% of tasks by 2035
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $49,400
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners today and 58% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 37-2011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/janitors-and-cleaners-except-maids-and-housekeeping-cleaners/