Best Cleaning & Janitorial Jobs in Canada (Commercial vs. Residential 2026)

In the Canadian economy, "Cleaners" are the invisible workforce.

Most people assume that cleaning is a minimum-wage job with zero future. And if you work for a generic temp agency or a shady cash-only residential service, that assumption is correct. You will be overworked, underpaid, and disposable.

But there is a hidden tier of the cleaning industry that functions very differently.

In 2026, Sanitization is a serious business. Hospitals, Universities, and Government Buildings don't just hire "cleaners"; they hire "Environmental Service Technicians" and "Custodians." These roles are often unionized (CUPE or SEIU), come with defined-benefit pensions, and pay $26 to $30 per hour.

Furthermore, cleaning is the single easiest path to Self-Employment. A cleaner working for a boss makes $18/hr. A cleaner with their own LLC and three clients makes $50/hr.

If you are ready to look past the mop bucket and see the business opportunity, here is the definitive guide to the best cleaning jobs in Canada.

Part 1: The "Golden Ticket" (Institutional & Unionized)

These are the "Career" jobs. They are hard to get, but once you are in, you are set for life.

1. School Board Custodian (The Holy Grail)

• The Employers: Local School Boards (e.g., TDSB, VSB, CBE).
• The Role: You are responsible for the safety and cleanliness of a school. It involves unlocking doors, checking boilers, buffing gym floors, and minor repairs.
• The Pay: $24.00 – $30.00 per hour.
• The "Pension" Factor: This is one of the few jobs left where you can retire with a gold-plated OMERS or Teachers' Pension (depending on the province).
• The Shift: usually 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM (After school). This creates perfect compatibility for people who want to run a side business during the day or handle childcare.
• How to Get In: You start on the "Supply List" (covering sick days). If you show up on time and work hard, you bid for a permanent school.
• Related: This role shares many similarities with the stability found in Jobs With Employer Housing, specifically regarding the "Superintendent" lifestyle.

2. Hospital Environmental Services (EVS)

• The Employers: Major Hospitals (UHN, Sunnybrook, Vancouver Coastal Health).
• The Role: This is not just "sweeping." This is Infection Control. You are cleaning operating rooms (ORs) and isolation wards. You need to know the difference between "Clean," "Sanitized," and "Sterile."
• The Pay: $23.00 – $28.00 per hour.
• The Union: Almost always unionized (SEIU or CUPE). This guarantees annual raises and protects you from unfair dismissal.
• The Danger Pay: During outbreaks (like Flu season or pandemics), EVS staff are considered frontline workers and often receive pandemic pay premiums.
• Related: If you are interested in healthcare but lack a degree, this is the #1 entry point mentioned in our Healthcare Support Jobs Guide.

3. Government Buildings (Security Clearance)

• The Employers: Federal/Provincial buildings, Courthouses, Police Stations.
• The Role: Cleaning secure areas where sensitive documents live.
• The Barrier: You need "Reliability Status" or "Secret Clearance." Because 50% of applicants fail the background check, the ones who pass command a higher wage.
• The Pay: $22.00 – $26.00 per hour.
• The Perks: It is quiet. You are often cleaning offices after 5:00 PM when the civil servants have gone home.

Part 2: The "Volume" Players (Commercial Franchises)

These are the big companies you see everywhere. They are great for quick hiring but offer lower pay ceilings.

4. GDI Integrated Facility Services / Bee-Clean

• The Employers: Massive national corporations that hold contracts for malls, airports, and office towers.
• The Role: "Light Duty" cleaning (emptying bins, vacuuming cubicles).
• The Pay: $17.00 – $20.00 per hour.
• Why Work Here? They are always hiring. If you need a job by Tuesday, GDI is your best bet. They are massive and have sites in every city.
• The Downside: The work is fast. You might be given 4 hours to clean a floor that really takes 6 hours. It is high-pressure.
• Related: These companies often have streamlined hiring processes, similar to the ones we profiled in Jobs That Hire Without a Resume.

5. Post-Construction Cleaning

• The Employers: Construction firms or specialized cleaning agencies.
• The Role: Entering a newly built condo or house to remove the drywall dust, stickers, and paint splatter before the owners move in.
• The Pay: $22.00 – $30.00 per hour.
• The "Grind": It is physically harder than office cleaning. You are scrubbing cement off tiles and climbing ladders.
• The Seasonality: It booms in the summer and slows down in the winter.

Part 3: The "Lifestyle" Cleaners (Residential)

Best for flexibility and working solo.

6. Molly Maid / Merry Maids (Franchises)

• The Role: Driving a company car to people's homes to clean kitchens and bathrooms.
• The Pay: $17.00 – $19.00 per hour (plus tips).
• The Pros:
  • Daytime Hours: Unlike commercial cleaning (which is nights), residential is strictly 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • Tips: Homeowners often leave cash tips, especially around holidays.
• The Cons: You are dealing with personal messes (pet hair, dishes). It is more intimate and sometimes grosser than cleaning an empty office.

7. Specialized "Trauma" Cleaning (Biohazard)

• The Role: Crime scene cleanup, hoarding remediation, and industrial accidents.
• The Pay: $25.00 – $40.00 per hour.
• The Requirement: You need a stomach of steel. You are dealing with blood, decomposition, and hazardous waste.
• The Certification: You need specialized training (Biohazard remediation), but the industry is desperate for people willing to do this work.
• Related: This fits the "High Pay for Dirty Work" theme we explored in our Best Jobs for Men article.

The Entrepreneur Option: The $50/hr "Solo" Route

This is the secret that franchise owners don't want you to know: The barrier to entry is zero.

If you work for Molly Maid, the client pays the company $60/hr, and the company pays you $18/hr.

If you work for yourself, you keep the $60.

How to Start a Cleaning Business in Canada (2026):

1. Niche Down: Don't just say "I clean." Say "I specialize in Condo Move-Outs" or "I specialize in Eco-Friendly Yoga Studios."
2. Insurance: Buy General Liability Insurance ($50/month). This proves you are a "Real Business" and protects you if you break a vase.
3. Pricing: Charge $40 - $50 per hour minimum. Do not compete on price. Compete on reliability.
4. Clients: Post on local Facebook community groups. "I am a local cleaner, insured, police checked, with references." You will fill your schedule in 2 weeks.

Why everyone doesn't do this: It requires managing your own taxes, schedule, and difficult clients. But for the motivated, it is the fastest path to $80k/year with no degree.

Comparison Table: Commercial vs. Residential

Practical Questions Answered

"Is being a cleaner depressing?"

It depends on your mindset.

• The "Podcast" Job: Many introverts love cleaning because they can wear noise-canceling headphones, listen to audiobooks for 8 hours, and not talk to a single soul. It is low-stress and meditative.
• The Physicality: You will hit 15,000 steps a day. You don't need a gym membership.

"What is WHMIS?"

You need this yesterday.

• The Certification: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. Every cleaner in Canada legally needs this certificate. It teaches you not to mix Bleach and Ammonia (which creates mustard gas).
• Cost: usually Free (Employer pays) or $30 online. Put it on your resume immediately.

"Do I need my own car?"

• For Residential: Yes. You have to drive between houses (unless you use a company car).
• For Commercial: No. You go to one building (e.g., a School) and stay there for 8 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I clean part-time while studying?

Yes.

Commercial cleaning is arguably the best Student Job because the shifts (6 PM - 10 PM) perfectly align with finishing classes.

Do I need a criminal record check?

For Schools and Government: YES.

You are working around children or sensitive data. You need a "Vulnerable Sector Check."

For Construction/Industrial: NO.

See our No Background Check Guide for more details on this sector.

Are cleaning chemicals dangerous?

They can be.

Long-term exposure to industrial solvents can cause asthma.

• The Fix: Work for "Green" cleaning companies that use plant-based products, or ensure you wear proper PPE (gloves/mask) provided by the employer.

About the author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian career researcher and digital entrepreneur. He tracks real-time labour market data, government hiring trends, and entry-level opportunities to help newcomers and students navigate the Canadian job market.

Sources

• CUPE (School Custodian Agreements): https://cupe.ca/
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (WHMIS): https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/whmis_ghs/general.html
• Molly Maid Canada Careers: https://jobs.mollymaid.com/

Note:

Job availability, wages, and hiring conditions can vary widely by province, employer, season, and experience level. All salary ranges and job examples in this guide are estimates based on current labour market data. Always confirm details directly with the employer before applying.