Philadelphia is known for its rich history and cultural landmarks and is also home to a growing job market. Janitorial positions are an essential part of maintaining the cleanliness and safety of commercial, residential, and industrial spaces in the city.
With potential earnings of $17 per hour, these roles provide steady employment and opportunities for growth, often requiring minimal qualifications for entry.
Types of Janitorial Jobs in Philadelphia
Janitorial roles are varied, with opportunities to work in different environments. Some common types of janitorial positions in Philadelphia include:
- Commercial Building Janitor
- Description: These janitors maintain office buildings, ensuring the cleanliness of common areas, restrooms, and workspaces. Responsibilities may include vacuuming, dusting, and waste disposal.
- Earnings: $16 – $18 per hour.
- School Custodian
- Description: School custodians maintain classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and gymnasiums. Their role ensures a clean and safe environment for students and staff.
- Earnings: $15 – $17 per hour.
- Hospital Janitor
- Description: Hospital janitors play a critical role in maintaining sanitary conditions in healthcare facilities. They disinfect rooms, operating areas, and waiting rooms, following strict health protocols.
- Earnings: $16 – $19 per hour.
- Industrial Cleaner
- Description: Industrial cleaners work in factories and warehouses, cleaning large equipment and workspaces. They may also handle hazardous materials and waste.
- Earnings: $17 – $20 per hour.
- Residential Building Cleaner
- Description: These janitors maintain apartment complexes or condominiums, ensuring common areas, lobbies, and recreation areas are clean and well-kept.
- Earnings: $15 – $17 per hour.
Skills and Qualifications Required
Most janitorial positions do not require extensive formal education, but certain skills and qualifications can make you more competitive in the job market:
- Physical Stamina: Janitorial work is physically demanding, requiring standing, bending, and lifting heavy objects for extended periods.
- Attention to Detail: Janitors need to ensure that spaces are thoroughly cleaned and meet specific hygiene standards.
- Time Management: Being able to complete tasks efficiently and within a set schedule is important for janitorial staff working in busy environments.
- Basic Maintenance Knowledge: Familiarity with basic maintenance tasks, such as unclogging drains or changing light bulbs, can be an asset.
- Safety Awareness: Knowledge of cleaning chemicals and safety procedures is critical, especially in environments like hospitals or industrial sites where hazardous materials may be present.
- Communication Skills: Janitors may need to interact with building occupants or supervisors, so good communication skills are helpful.
- Dependability and Punctuality: Reliable attendance and the ability to work independently are highly valued traits in janitorial positions.
Visa Sponsorship Opportunities
For janitorial positions, visa sponsorship is generally not available, as these roles are considered unskilled labor. However, some opportunities may exist through other visa programs or for workers already in the U.S. on different types of visas. Options include:
- H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker Visa: While janitorial roles may not directly qualify, certain seasonal cleaning jobs could potentially be sponsored under this visa category.
- F-1 Student Visa with OPT: International students on an F-1 visa may take janitorial positions under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows them to work in the U.S. after completing their studies.
- Temporary Employment via Agencies: Some staffing agencies specialize in hiring temporary foreign workers for industries like hospitality or maintenance, though these opportunities are limited.
Latest Job Openings
Here are some of the latest janitorial job openings in Philadelphia:
- Commercial Janitor at ABC Cleaning Solutions
- Salary: $17 per hour
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Description: Maintain office buildings by cleaning floors, dusting surfaces, and ensuring bathrooms are stocked and clean. Full-time and part-time shifts available.
- Custodian at Philadelphia Public Schools
- Salary: $16.50 per hour
- Location: Various school locations in Philadelphia
- Description: Responsible for cleaning classrooms, restrooms, and gymnasiums in public schools. Must be able to follow safety protocols and interact with staff and students.
- Hospital Janitor at Mercy Health System
- Salary: $18 per hour
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Description: Ensure sanitary conditions in patient rooms and medical offices. Experience with healthcare cleaning preferred.
- Industrial Cleaner at Philly Packaging
- Salary: $19 per hour
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Description: Clean and maintain industrial equipment and workspaces. Knowledge of handling industrial waste and chemicals is a plus.
- Apartment Building Janitor at Liberty Property Group
- Salary: $16 per hour
- Location: Downtown Philadelphia
- Description: Maintain cleanliness in common areas of residential complexes, including lobbies, stairwells, and recreation rooms.
Where and How to Get the Job
Finding a janitorial job in Philadelphia is relatively straightforward if you know where to look. Here are some of the best ways to secure a position:
- Job Boards: Websites like Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor frequently list janitorial job openings in the Philadelphia area. You can search by location and filter by part-time or full-time positions.
- Company Websites: Large companies with multiple locations, such as Compass Group and ABM Industries, often post janitorial job openings directly on their websites. This can be a quicker way to apply and avoid third-party job boards.
- Networking: Personal connections and word-of-mouth referrals are still valuable in the janitorial industry. Ask around your community or attend local job fairs to meet employers who may be hiring.
- Union Memberships: In some cases, janitors may benefit from joining labor unions like SEIU (Service Employees International Union), which can help with job placement, benefits, and workplace protections.
Janitorial positions in Philadelphia offer steady employment with the potential to earn $17 per hour, making it a solid option for those seeking stable work. With opportunities available in various sectors, such as commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, and industrial settings, janitors can find work that suits their skills and preferences.
Published on:
Emma Ngozi
Emma Ngozi is the founder of Surewinteams.com, a platform built to guide students and young professionals in navigating international opportunities. With a background in public policy and international relations, Emma has spent years helping people secure scholarships, sponsorship visas, and financial planning strategies for studying abroad.
She believes that accessible, accurate information is a powerful tool for change. Her writing combines practical advice with strategic insights, crafted especially for those eager to take bold steps toward education and career development in countries around the world.