Starting your career as a Housekeeper is a sure way to understand the ins and outs of hospitality and even hotel operations.
This guide will tell you all about the Housekeeper role, including salary trends, work conditions and ways to grow your housekeeping career.
What Is a Housekeeper?
A Housekeeper is responsible for keeping spaces clean and well maintained and following all safety and sanitation policies.
Housekeepers can also be referred to as Room Attendants, House Cleaners, Household Managers, Home Cleaners, Service Aides, Housekeeping Aides or Residential Cleaners.
What Does a Housekeeper Do?
The daily tasks of a Housekeeper involve the following:
- Performing various cleaning activities such as sweeping, dusting, mopping and polishing
- Ensuring each room or the entire property is cared for, cleaned and sanitized according to standards
- Making beds and changing bed linens, as well as folding towels and sheets
- Communicating with property owners, employers or supervisors regarding any damages, disturbances or supply shortages
- Attending to client requests or complaints with professionalism and patience
- Adhering to health and safety protocols
- Checking whether cleaning and laundry equipment are operational without performance issues
How To Become a Housekeeper
Read on to learn the education and experience needed for the Housekeeper role, along with some application tips, especially for those without experience. Plus, find out how you can advance in this career.
Education and Experience Requirements for Housekeepers
Although not required, a high school education will help Housekeepers gain skills such as basic math, literacy and communication — all of which can make their job easier.
Communication can also help you interact with clients, while basic math skills can help with measurements and calculations for cleaning solutions.
[Source: BLS]
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According to BLS, 69.6% of Housekeepers did not need any educational requirements to get a job in 2023, with 30.4% mentioning they needed a high school diploma.
[Source: BLS]
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Because housekeeping is typically an entry-level role, those applying for Housekeeper roles will be glad to know that there are usually no experience requirements.
BLS reported in 2023 that 98% of Housekeeper jobs did not require prior experience but did have new employees undergo mandatory on-the-job training upon starting.
How To Become a Housekeeper if You Have No Experience
As mentioned, landing a Housekeeper job is usually easier for those without experience than other professions. However, do keep in mind the following to increase your chances of getting hired.
Build experience first
As a beginner, you should be open to starting with relatively smaller workplaces. Working for private residences can also be a good gateway to gaining experience and strong references for your resume.
Look for job openings that require no previous work experience, as you’ll normally have a higher chance of getting hired for these entry-level roles.
Prepare a simple and appropriate resume
Don’t just send out a resume you used for a different role. Make sure to tailor your resume to highlight your prior experiences and skills that are relevant to the Housekeeper position. Check the next section for the top housekeeping skills to include in your resume.
You can even consider writing a cover letter to spruce up your application and leave a better impression on employers.
When you do get invited for an interview, make sure you’re prepared to answer common Housekeeper interview questions and highlight your strengths.
Develop relevant skills
Look up how to clean different types of surfaces and learn which cleaning products are appropriate for each situation.
Also, know how to prioritize your cleaning duties. For example, high-touch areas like restroom fixtures, doorknobs, counters and door handles should be cleaned regularly.
Learn the difference between the terms “cleaning,” “sanitizing” and “disinfecting” to understand what needs to be done with every housekeeping task. If you need a refresher, check the terms’ definitions below:
- Cleaning: Removing dust, debris and dirt from surfaces using soap or detergent
- Sanitizing: Reducing the number of germs on surfaces following health standards
- Disinfecting: Eliminating germs and bacteria using specific disinfectant products and natural pathogen killers
Check out this simple cleaning and disinfecting reference by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more about proper housekeeping.
Top 5 Skills of the Best Housekeepers
The following skills can help you become a more effective and efficient Housekeeper.
1. Keen eye for cleanliness
Housekeepers should leave no corner unchecked in the most efficient way possible. Establishing your own detailed cleaning protocol can help you complete tasks on time and to standard.
2. Effective communication
Good communication skills are necessary for Housekeepers to interact effectively with clients and other staff. Being transparent and clear in your communication helps you understand tasks better and maintain transparency.
3. Collaborative aptitude
Getting along with others in your team or establishment makes the job easier and more fulfilling. It also becomes easier to work together, which makes the job more enjoyable for everyone.
4. Organization
Because of the many tasks you have to do in a day, it pays to be organized. Organized Housekeepers usually have a daily checklist of their tasks, which they review at the end of the day.
Time management is also a big part of staying organized as a Housekeeper.
5. Physical fitness
Being a Housekeeper doesn’t mean you have to be athletic. However, keep in mind that housekeeping may require you to stand for long periods of hours. You’d also be lifting items and moving them here and there.
Because the job is physically demanding, you should have the stamina to manage your tasks accordingly.
Housekeeper Salary Trends in the US
As detailed by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the average base salary for Housekeepers in the United States (U.S.) is $34,650 per year or $2,887.50 a month.
Housekeeper salaries have steadily increased in recent years, rising by almost 30% since 2019.
| Year | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,810 |
| 2020 | $28,010 |
| 2021 | $29,580 |
| 2022 | $31,920 |
| 2023 | $34,650 |
What Is the Workplace of a Housekeeper Like?
Housekeepers are in steady demand in a variety of different workplaces. Below are some common workplace settings for Housekeepers:
- Hotels and resorts: Housekeepers clean and maintain guest rooms, common areas and, sometimes, the exterior of the buildings. They often work alongside a larger staff and follow health and safety protocols to ensure peak client satisfaction.
- Private residences: For individual households and living spaces, Housekeepers often work under and interact directly with the property owners. Their daily tasks include sweeping, dusting and organizing.
- Healthcare facilities and hospitals: Housekeepers play an important role in maintaining sanitary guidelines to prevent infections or the spread of disease. Their tasks include cleaning patient rooms and sanitizing common areas and medical equipment.
- Office and commercial buildings: Housekeepers are responsible for organizing the work environment by cleaning offices, conference rooms, restrooms and guest areas.
Regardless of the workplace, the job of a Housekeeper is physically demanding and requires focus. The job mandates that safety procedures are followed effectively and that communication is established with employers, fellow staff, guests or residents.
Housekeeper Industry Trends in 2024
Housekeepers are currently most in demand in the traveler accommodation industry, employing more than 47% of the current housekeeping workforce. These include hotels, motels, hostels, resorts and other temporary lodging establishments.
Other top-employing industries include general medical hospitals, services to buildings, nursing care facilities and employment services.
[Source: BLS]
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Are You Ready to Be a Housekeeper?
Take our free quiz below to check if you’re ready for a housekeeping job.
Results
Congratulations!
Based on your quiz results, you would be an ideal candidate for the Housekeeper position. Your skills and preferences align well with the job’s demands.
Embrace this opportunity, and consider gaining hands-on experience. Check out our Housekeeper career guide for more info.
Cheers to a promising future in the hospitality industry!
There’s great potential!
While your results indicate that you may need to develop more skills to be an effective Housekeeper, there’s great potential for you to excel with dedication and effort.
You can start by visiting our Housekeeper career guide to learn more about what the job entails and how you can improve your chances.
#1. How would you describe your familiarity with various cleaning techniques and products?
#2. Are you skilled in handling and cleaning various kitchen utensils and equipment?
#3. What types of cleaning chemicals and detergents are you comfortable using?
#4. How do you prioritize and manage your tasks when faced with a high volume of cleaning duties?
#5. Are you committed to maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards in the house at all times?
#6. Do you have experience working in a team environment and coordinating with other cleaning staff?
#7. Are you comfortable with the physical demands of the job, including standing for long periods and lifting heavy items?
#8. How do you handle stressful situations, such as when there’s a backlog of cleaning tasks?
#9. Are you open to learning new techniques and methods to improve your cleaning skills?
#10. How do you respond to feedback or instructions from supervisors regarding cleaning tasks?
Here are a few possible career paths for Housekeepers to consider for their professional growth:
Housekeeper Career FAQ
Check out answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Housekeeper role.
No. The Housekeeper job is typically an entry-level role, and many job seekers get hired even without related experience.
However, it’s important to showcase skills you already have that could be relevant to the role — such as organization, communication and a willingness to work with a team.
There are many job openings available for Housekeepers in hotels, hospitals and care facilities. In fact, there were about 836,230 Housekeepers in the U.S. in 2023, an increase of 8% from 2022’s 771,390.
A Housekeeper can eventually work their way to becoming a Hotel Manager or Housekeeping Supervisor in a few years.
A professional Housekeeper should be competent, efficient and organized in their duties. They are discreet in the way they perform their tasks while being conscientious and friendly.
Not always, as uniforms typically depend on your employer’s requirements. These uniforms are usually high-quality smocks that resist stains or wear and tear.
Female Housekeepers are also sometimes required to wear housekeeping dresses that reflect their establishment’s brand and professionalism. These are typically knee-length and can come in different colors.
If not required by your employer, breathable fabrics are recommended for summer, while long-sleeve tops and sweaters are best for winter.
Housekeepers can be exposed to different slip, fall or trip hazards, especially when objects are left out or spills are left on floors.
At the same time, Housekeepers are responsible for lifting and moving items in their assigned spaces. If done incorrectly, Housekeepers are at risk of a strain or sprain. This is why Housekeeper job descriptions usually list the minimum weight applicants should be able to carry.
The two types of housekeeping are domestic and institutional. Domestic housekeeping pertains to cleaning and maintenance tasks in private households. Meanwhile, institutional housekeeping involves similar duties but within commercial and institutional settings such as hotels, hospitals and resorts.
