Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment: Job Description and Career Advancement
Being a cleaner of vehicles and equipment is a crucial but often overlooked occupation in various industries. From car detailing to janitorial services, these professionals use their expertise to clean and maintain vehicles and equipment to keep them in peak condition.
Job Description
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment are responsible for cleaning and sanitizing different types of machinery such as trains, buses, planes, cars, trucks, and other vehicles. They also maintain and clean various types of equipment, including manufacturing machines, heavy equipment, and power tools. These professionals perform various cleaning tasks like dusting, vacuuming, steaming, scrubbing, and polishing to ensure that the vehicles and equipment are sparkling clean and in good operating condition. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment may work at different locations, including car wash outlets, repair shops, airports, and manufacturing plants. Some work as independent contractors or for cleaning and maintenance service companies.
Examples of the Job
Here are some common examples of the job:
- Car detailing: Cleaning the interior and exterior of cars, including washing, waxing, and cleaning the engine.
- Janitorial services: Cleaning various types of commercial equipment like manufacturing machines, power tools, and production lines.
- Airplane cleaning: Sanitizing and cleaning the interior of airplanes between flights to keep them hygienic and comfortable for passengers.
- Train and bus cleaning: Cleaning trains and buses between trips to maintain a clean environment for passengers and employees.
Education and Training
There are no strict educational requirements for cleaners of vehicles and equipment, but a high school diploma or GED is often preferred. On-the-job training is typically provided by their employers. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment should have knowledge of cleaning techniques and methods, as well as proper handling of cleaning materials and equipment. They should also be able to communicate effectively with clients and work in a team environment.
Career Advancement
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment can advance to supervisory roles with experience and additional training. For instance, they may take courses in specialized cleaning techniques or work towards certification as a professional detailer. Some cleaners may also start their own businesses as independent contractors or cleaning service companies.
How to Get Into the Field as a Newcomer
If you are interested in becoming a cleaner of vehicles and equipment, there are several steps you can take to get started. You can search for job openings on online job boards, social media, or classified ads in your local newspapers. You can also contact cleaning and maintenance service companies and inquire about entry-level job openings or part-time opportunities that could lead to a full-time position. Finally, offering to clean the vehicles or equipment of friends and family for a fee to practice and hone your skills is another way to gain experience and build a client base.
| Occupation | Job Level | Salary – National Average | Salary – Best Paid (New York) | Salary – Least Paid (West Virginia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaners of vehicles and equipment | Level 01 | $29,972.80 | – | – |
| Level 02 | $30,534.40 | – | – | |
| Level 03 | $38,729.60 | – | – | |
| Level 04 | $38,646.40 | – | – | |
| Not able to be leveled | $33,508.80 | – | – | |
| Union | All levels | $39,436.80 | – | – |
| Nonunion | All levels | $30,763.20 | – | – |
| Full-time | All levels | $33,467.20 | – | – |
| Full-time | Level 01 | $29,681.60 | – | – |
| Full-time | Level 02 | $30,721.60 | – | – |
| Full-time | Level 03 | $38,708.80 | – | – |
| Full-time | Level 04 | $38,625.60 | – | – |
| Full-time | Not able to be leveled | $34,049.60 | – | – |
| Part-time | All levels | $30,139.20 | – | $24,564.80 |
| Part-time | Level 01 | $30,326.40 | – | – |
| Part-time | Level 02 | $28,350.40 | – | – |
| Part-time | Not able to be leveled | $28,516.80 | – | – |
| Time-based pay | All levels | $32,323.20 | $41,204.80 | – |
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment is an occupation that involves ensuring the cleanliness of various types of vehicles and equipment, which can include cars, trucks, buses, boats, airplanes, and machinery. The salary data for this occupation shows that the US national average for all workers ranges from $26,166.40 to $38,729.60 depending on the job level, with those who are unable to be leveled making $33,508.80 on average.
Unionization is a factor that affects the salary of cleaners of vehicles and equipment, with unionized workers making an average of $39,436.80 compared to non-unionized workers who make an average of $30,763.20. However, it is important to note that salary differences may also be affected by job level, full-time or part-time status, and type of pay (e.g. time-based).
Two geographies where cleaners of vehicles and equipment are paid differently are New York and West Virginia. In New York, time-based pay for all levels of cleaners of vehicles and equipment is significantly higher than the national average, with an average salary of $41,204.80. In contrast, part-time cleaners of vehicles and equipment in West Virginia are paid significantly less than the national average, with an average salary of $24,564.80.
