According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2024, janitors and building cleaners held about 2.4 million jobs in the U.S. Unfortunately, the cleaning and organizational service industries are experiencing worker shortages and hiring challenges, mostly due to social and logistical barriers. These challenges affect job quality, retention, and business growth. Despite job growth for janitors and building cleaners being projected at 2% between 2024‑2034, somewhat slower than average. But about 351,300 job openings per year are expected during that period, largely due to replacement (retirements, etc.) rather than rapid expansion.
Key Issues Affecting Workers:
- Language Barriers:
- Non-native English speakers often struggle to get or keep jobs, despite being skilled and hardworking.
- Transportation:
- Many job sites (especially in cleaning and hospitality) are hard to reach without a car.
- Public transit isn’t always reliable or safe, especially at odd hours.
- Childcare:
- Women, especially mothers, face major challenges due to the lack of affordable, consistent childcare.
- Hospitality work often includes nights, weekends, or split shifts, which are tough to coordinate with childcare.
Impact:
- These barriers lead to fewer people entering or staying in these industries.
- Businesses struggle with staff shortages, reduced service quality, and higher turnover.
To strengthen these industries, systemic barriers need to be addressed, especially around transportation, childcare, and job accessibility. This will help attract a more diverse and dependable workforce—particularly women—across both hospitality and organizing sectors.