Building & Grounds Maintenance
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
Also called: Building Services Supervisor, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor, Custodian Supervisor, Environmental Services Supervisor (EVS)
US median pay
$49,100
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.2%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
30,800
265,200 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Directly supervise and coordinate work activities of cleaning personnel in hotels, hospitals, offices, and other establishments.
What they do day to day
- Supervise in-house services, such as laundries, maintenance and repair, dry cleaning, or valet services.
- Select the most suitable cleaning materials for different types of linens, furniture, flooring, and surfaces.
- Advise managers, desk clerks, or admitting personnel of rooms ready for occupancy.
- Inspect work performed to ensure that it meets specifications and established standards.
- Perform or assist with cleaning duties as necessary.
- Plan and prepare employee work schedules.
- Establish and implement operational standards and procedures for the departments supervised.
- Inspect and evaluate the physical condition of facilities to determine the type of work required.
- Inventory stock to ensure that supplies and equipment are available in adequate amounts.
- Issue supplies and equipment to workers.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Management of Personnel Resources3.4/5
- Time Management3.2/5
- Coordination3.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Instructing3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.0/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.7/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.3/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma43%
- Some college19%
- Associate's degree14%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.