No Experience Required, Low Entry Barriers: Cleaner Jobs Are Becoming the First Choice for New Immigrants
Is it difficult to find a job due to limited English skills? Lack of work experience? Salary is not enough to cover basic expenses? The janitor/cleaner industry, with its low entry barriers, no experience required, high wages, and stable hourly pay, is a perfect solution for these challenges and has become a preferred employment choice for many new immigrants.
Key Recruitment Information (Why Choose a Cleaning Job?)
✔️High Hourly Pay
The average hourly wage ranges from $17.23 to $21.03 nationwide, which is significantly higher than the minimum wage in most regions. Additional earnings, such as night shift allowances, overtime pay, and union benefits, make the overall compensation even more competitive.
✔️No Experience, No Educational Requirements
The entry barriers for janitor positions are relatively low. Most employers offer on-the-job training and do not require candidates to have any cleaning experience or a high school diploma, General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or college degree. Generally, applicants only need to be at least 18 years old. This means that even those with no industry background can start with "entry-level positions." For example, ABM Industries, a major cleaning company, clearly states on their website: "No experience needed, on-the-job training provided."
✔️No Need for Fluent English
For new immigrants or those with limited English proficiency, finding janitor jobs in the U.S. is a feasible option because the industry has relatively low language requirements. Multilingual teams (Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese, etc.) are common, and training and daily communication can accommodate basic English or even no English at all. This allows workers to improve their language skills while on the job.
✔️Paid Vacation
Most cleaning companies offer benefits such as life and accident insurance, short-term disability, 401(k) employee savings plans, paid vacation, and legal services.
✔️Flexible Job Locations
Job locations are flexible. Many companies work with multiple clients or projects, allowing employees to be assigned to jobs closer to their home, with hiring needs in nearly every city and community. Tip: You can filter cleaning jobs based on postal code, city, and radius.
Suitable for All Age Groups
Ages 18–24 (Students or Early Career): Low entry barriers, no experience required, ideal for part-time or beginner-level workers. However, physical strength and responsibility need to be adjusted.
Ages 25–44 (Core Workforce): Strong adaptability and energy, ideal for long-term development, and potential promotion to supervisory roles.
Ages 45–64 (Midlife and Career Changers): Strong stability, attention to detail, and responsibility, which are preferred traits by most employers.
Ages 65 and Above (Retirees Returning to Work): If physical condition allows, lighter cleaning jobs (such as office or hotel cleaning) are a good option, often available as part-time or flexible hours.
4 Effective Channels to Quickly Find the Right Job
1. Job Platforms (Direct Application)
Indeed: Search for "Janitor Jobs" (Updated daily).
Craigslist: Local small employer recruitment (Be cautious of scams).
2. Direct Hiring by Cleaning Companies
ABM Industries (Largest cleaning company in the U.S.): Careers page on their website.
Jan-Pro (Cleaning franchise): Franchise-based positions.
3. Union Recommendations (High Salary Security)
SEIU (Service Employees International Union): Application portal.
UAW (For certain industrial cleaning positions): Official website.
4. Referrals Through Networking (Common for Immigrants)
Obtain internal recommendations through community groups such as churches and associations from your hometown.
Real-life Example
Li Ming, a new immigrant, arrived in Canada with limited language skills and no work experience. He found a janitor job through a recruitment website that required no experience. Initially, he worked night shifts and gradually adapted, learning from his colleagues. Due to his diligent and responsible work, he was soon trusted to handle tasks independently, received more shifts, and earned higher wages, significantly improving his family’s situation. This case demonstrates that new immigrants can overcome challenges and find stable jobs through effort.
The janitor/cleaner industry offers new immigrants a low-barrier entry into the workforce, with no experience required and competitive wages. It provides flexible work, career growth opportunities, and benefits, making it a viable and rewarding option for individuals facing language or experience challenges.