Window Cleaner Jobs in the United States

Window Cleaning Jobs Overview

Are you looking for an entry-level job where you can work independently outdoors? Then a job as a window cleaner might be right for you. In this job you’ll clean windows on residential and commercial buildings, primarily from the outside. Some window cleaning jobs combine window cleaning with general housekeeping duties that require you to go inside the buildings as well.

As a window cleaner it’s likely you’ll work for a cleaning company that provides services to multiple clients. Many window cleaner jobs involve working from heights from a ladder or other equipment. Jobs where you’ll work using rope equipment are sometimes called rope access jobs. There are two main categories of rope access: rope descent systems (RDS) and industrial rope access (IRA). There are also jobs where you can work from the ground, for example by using power-washing equipment.

Salaries for Window Cleaning Jobs

A median salary for a janitor or cleaner ranges from $10.66 to $15.83 an hour. Use our Salary Tools to learn how much you could make in your area. Some of the highest-paying locations include New York City and Los Angeles.

If you work in a role that combines sales of services and window cleaning, you might be able to earn commission, bonuses, and other extras that could increase your salary.

How to Find Window Cleaner Jobs That Fit You

Although the job responsibilities of window cleaners are similar from job to job, working conditions and work culture can differ a lot between employers. Taking these factors into account can help you find the right window cleaning job for you.

Research the Company

Reading customer reviews of the company can give you insight into how it operates. Although it will be from the customer perspective, a company that has consistent customer-service issues will probably not treat its employees well either.

Make sure the company has insurance in case something goes wrong during work. You should also check that the company has the proper licenses and certifications, which increase the likelihood that they follow proper safety procedures.

Assess Your Skill Set and Career Goals

Some window cleaners work mostly alone, driving from client to client. Others may be hired by a large company and work in a team in the same locations. You might enjoy scenic view from skyscrapers in downtown business districts or work closely with homeowners.

Keep in mind that the company will also assess if you’re a good fit for them. Read the job description carefully to see if your qualifications match the requirements.

If you want to take on more responsibilities—and earn a higher salary—find out if the company offers opportunities for advancement to a management position. You can do this by seeing what other jobs they have available or ask about it during your job interview.

How to Apply to Window Cleaning Jobs

Before you apply to window cleaning jobs, make sure that your application package is as neat and shiny as a well-washed window.

Write a Window Cleaner Resume

In your resume, include details that give the employer a good idea of your responsibilities at past jobs, for example how many clients you saw per day, what heights you have worked from before, the cleaning methods you used, and the equipment you operated.

If you have experience in customer service, sales, or other areas that are relevant to the job, bring that up early in the resume. A well-written resume summary can highlight your qualifications and make you resume stand out.

Using relevant resume keywords, such as customer service and power washing, can help your application pass through applicant tracking software. If your resume is too generic, the recruiter may not know you have the experience it takes.

Get inspiration from our cleaner resume sample. See examples of how to include your core competencies and work standards, as well as how to break down your cleaning experience tasks into bullet points. A cover letter isn’t always needed for a window cleaner job, but if the ad asks for one, get some ideas from this sample cover letter for a janitor.

If you’re struggling to write a compelling resume, get help from Monster’s Professional Resume Writing Services. A professional resume expert will create a resume personalized to your unique experience and background.

Apply to Window Cleaning Jobs on Monster

Once you have an attention-grabbing resume, create a free Monster profile to upload it and start applying to jobs.

How to Follow up With an Employer

After submitting a spot-free application and not hearing anything back from the employer, you may wonder, what happened? There are many reasons employers don’t follow up. While it’s possible that your background doesn’t match what they’re looking for, there could also be a delay due to vacations and other work responsibilities.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the employer unless the ad specifically said not to. You can find some suggestions for what to say when you get in touch with them in our article on how to follow up on a job application. Follow up within a few days of submitting your application to make sure that the employer received it.

Reach out to the contact person in the ad if one is listed. If not, you can inquire about the right person to get in touch with by calling or emailing the company. Smaller companies might not have an HR department, but the customer service staff might be able to help you track down the right person. Reaching out to a specific person instead of a general email address increases the chances that someone will get back to you.

Interviewing Tips for Window Cleaning Jobs

Are you nervous about your job interview? Most people are, but the best way to calm the jitters is to come well-prepared. Read about the company and think about some insightful questions to ask about your role or the work environment. The next step is to prepare for interview questions.

Prepare to Answer Interview Questions

For most window cleaning jobs, you’ll learn the skills you need on the job. This means that the job interviews might focus more on your character and practical considerations than your previous experience. These are some examples of questions you might be asked:

• Are you comfortable with heights? Do you have experience working from heights?
• Do you have reliable transportation?
• How do you manage challenging customers?
• What safety precautions do you take on the job?

Take a look at Monster’s library of potential interview questions for examples of common job interview questions across most industries. You can read more about the STAR method, which guides you through the steps of answering behavioural questions, such as how you would respond to common workplace challenges.

Other Interview Tips

Don’t overdress for a window cleaning interview. Aim to wear clothes that don’t have any rips or stains, but there’s no need to come in a suit.

Make sure to ask for the interviewer’s contact information, if you don’t already have it, so that you can follows up afterwards. It’s customary to follow up within 24 hours of an interview to say thank you. You can do this with a brief note by email.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

When you get a job offer, make sure to respond in a timely manner. Even if you need to think about the details of the offer, communicate that to the employer while saying thank you for the offer and their time.

If you haven’t brought up benefits, now is the time. If the offer doesn’t include any benefits, or if they aren’t what you expected, see if you can negotiate with the employer for a better offer. Salary may be negotiable as well. In any case, you have little to lose and much to gain by asking for slightly more pay.

This is also the time to get more information on details that seemed unclear to you during the job interview or that you forgot to ask, such as:

• Do you need to use your own car for work, or does the company provide one?
• Is the company insured and licensed?
• Do you work rain or shine, in snow, and in other weather conditions? If not, how does this affect your pay?

Window Cleaning Career Paths

You don’t need a specific education or experience for window cleaning jobs, but some employers require a high school diploma. While window cleaner is typically an entry-level job, you may need previous experience for jobs that require you to work from heights. It can also be an advantage if you have experience with other rope access jobs, for example as a maintenance worker.

Most employers will offer on the-job-training. It’s a good idea to also educate yourself on safety rules and procedures, especially if you’ll be working above the ground. These are some common industry standards:

• OSHA: 1910.140 - Personal fall protection systems
• International Window Cleaning Association: I-14 standard

Some jobs also require rope access certification, for example from the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association or the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians. This is more likely if you want to work cleaning high-rise buildings.

Some window cleaners have little customer interaction, but others work directly with clients

recommending and selling products and services. If you don’t see a future in sales, moving up to a position as a lead window cleaner, window cleaning manager, team leader or similar position can increase your pay in the future.

To grow in your career, it’s wise to look for window cleaning jobs where you work in a larger team so there is room for advancement and so that you can demonstrate your soft skills.

Similar Occupations

If a job in building maintenance sounds right to you, you can also look into:

• landscaping jobs
• office cleaner jobs
• tree trimmer jobs