Canada consistently needs building cleaners and maintenance workers across provinces, especially in urban centers. This demand ensures stable employment and frequent job opportunities.
Many roles in this industry do not require advanced education or previous experience. It’s ideal for newcomers to Canada or individuals seeking their first job.
With time and experience, workers can move into supervisory roles, facility management, or even start their own cleaning business.
Jobs in this sector often offer flexible schedules, including part-time, evening, and weekend shifts, making it easier to balance work with personal life or studies.
Building cleaners play a key role in maintaining hygiene, especially in healthcare, schools, and offices—contributing directly to public health and safety.
Essential services like cleaning and maintenance are needed year-round, offering long-term job stability even during economic downturns.
From hospitals and schools to hotels and office buildings, cleaning and maintenance staff are needed in many sectors, offering variety in work environments.
For immigrants and temporary workers, these jobs are often a stepping stone to gain Canadian work experience, which can help in future job prospects or permanent residency applications.
For international candidates, building cleaning & maintenance roles serve as a practical entry point into Canada’s job market—no Canadian experience required!
These roles often require minimal formal qualifications, making them accessible, while the work itself is essential to the operation of nearly every facility.
Gain valuable Canadian work experience, improve language skills on the job, and learn industry standards that can open doors to new opportunities.
Start with cleaning or maintenance and grow into supervisory, specialized cleaning, or building operations roles. Some even transition into entrepreneurship.
Many roles offer night shifts, part-time hours, or weekend work—perfect for international students or newcomers balancing other commitments.
Work experience in this industry can qualify international candidates for immigration pathways like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
From luxury hotels and commercial towers to schools and healthcare facilities, you can choose the setting that suits your interests and goals.
Clean and safe spaces are more important than ever. Your role contributes directly to public health and safety, earning community respect and recognition.
From Toronto to Vancouver to small towns in the Prairies, opportunities abound in every province—many offering relocation support or incentives.
Responsible for daily cleaning tasks such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, and waste removal in schools, offices, and public buildings.
Handles general repairs and upkeep of building systems like lighting, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning.
Cleans offices, retail stores, and other commercial spaces, often after business hours. May include carpet cleaning, window washing, and sanitizing restrooms.
Cleans private homes, apartments, and condos. Tasks often include vacuuming, kitchen and bathroom cleaning, and laundry services.
Works in factories or warehouses, performing deep cleaning of machinery, floors, and industrial equipment to meet safety and hygiene standards.
Specializes in cleaning interior and exterior windows of buildings, including high-rise properties using safety harnesses and scaffolding.
Focuses on floor maintenance including stripping, waxing, buffing, and carpet cleaning using specialized equipment.
Maintains the exterior areas of properties, such as lawns, gardens, parking lots, and sidewalks. Tasks may include snow removal and landscaping.
Often employed in food processing plants or healthcare settings, ensuring strict sanitation and cleanliness standards are met.
Lives on-site or works full-time to manage building operations, oversee cleaning and maintenance staff, and handle tenant issues.
Job Title |
Average Salary (CAD/year) |
USD/year |
INR/year |
---|---|---|---|
Janitor / Custodian |
$38,000 |
$27,740 |
₹2,318,000 |
Building Maintenance Technician |
$48,000 |
$35,040 |
₹2,928,000 |
Commercial Cleaner |
$37,000 |
$27,010 |
₹2,257,000 |
Residential Cleaner |
$36,000 |
$26,280 |
₹2,196,000 |
Industrial Cleaner |
$40,000 |
$29,200 |
₹2,440,000 |
Window Cleaner |
$42,000 |
$30,660 |
₹2,562,000 |
Floor Care Technician |
$41,000 |
$29,930 |
₹2,501,000 |
Groundskeeper |
$39,000 |
$28,470 |
₹2,379,000 |
Sanitation Worker |
$43,000 |
$31,390 |
₹2,623,000 |
Building Superintendent |
$55,000 |
$40,150 |
₹3,355,000 |
HVAC Maintenance Technician |
$58,000 |
$42,340 |
₹3,538,000 |
Facilities Maintenance Manager |
$70,000 |
$51,100 |
₹4,270,000 |
Cleaning Supervisor |
$48,000 |
$35,040 |
₹2,928,000 |
Pest Control Technician |
$46,000 |
$33,580 |
₹2,806,000 |
Pool Maintenance Technician |
$42,000 |
$30,660 |
₹2,562,000 |
Elevator Maintenance Technician |
$85,000 |
$62,050 |
₹5,185,000 |
Fire Alarm & Safety Systems Technician |
$60,000 |
$43,800 |
₹3,660,000 |
Energy Management Technician |
$62,000 |
$45,260 |
₹3,782,000 |
Plumber (Building Maintenance) |
$63,000 |
$45,990 |
₹3,843,000 |
Electrician (Building Maintenance) |
$65,000 |
$47,450 |
₹3,965,000 |
Eligibility Criteria |
Details |
---|---|
Work Permit / Visa |
Must have a valid Canadian work permit (e.g. employer-specific LMIA-based visa, IEC, or Open Work Permit). |
Education Requirements |
Generally, high school education or equivalent is sufficient for most entry-level roles. |
Experience |
No experience required for basic cleaning roles; technical or supervisory roles may need 1–3 years of experience. |
Language Proficiency |
Basic English or French skills (verbal and written); CLB 4–5 is often acceptable. |
Job Offer from Canadian Employer |
Required for employer-specific work permits. Must be supported by LMIA in most cases. |
Physical Fitness |
Must be physically fit to perform tasks such as lifting, standing for long hours, and using equipment. |
Police Clearance Certificate |
May be required, especially in schools, hospitals, or government buildings. |
Medical Exam |
May be required depending on job location (e.g. healthcare or food facilities). |
Trade Certification (if applicable) |
For roles like HVAC, plumbing, or electrical maintenance, a Red Seal or provincial certification may be required. |
Age Requirement |
Must be 18 years or older (some employers may prefer 21+ for insurance or legal reasons). |
Adaptability / Soft Skills |
Willingness to work flexible hours, reliability, attention to detail, and ability to follow instructions. |
Provincial Nominee Program (Optional) |
Some provinces offer immigration pathways for workers in this field with a valid job offer. |
Job Profile |
General Roles and Responsibilities |
---|---|
1. Janitor / Custodian |
Clean floors, restrooms, windows; empty trash; restock supplies; maintain basic facility cleanliness. |
2. Building Maintenance Technician |
Perform repairs, inspect HVAC/plumbing/electrical systems, handle routine maintenance tasks. |
3. Commercial Cleaner |
Clean office spaces, lobbies, and common areas; dust, mop, vacuum, sanitize surfaces. |
4. Residential Cleaner |
Clean homes/apartments; handle kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and laundry as requested. |
5. Industrial Cleaner |
Deep clean factories or warehouses; operate industrial cleaning equipment; follow safety protocols. |
6. Window Cleaner |
Clean interior/exterior windows of buildings using lifts or harnesses for high-rises. |
7. Floor Care Technician |
Strip, wax, buff floors; clean and maintain carpets using specialized machinery. |
8. Groundskeeper / Landscaper |
Mow lawns, trim bushes, remove snow, maintain walkways, and ensure clean exterior premises. |
9. Sanitation Worker |
Disinfect equipment and surfaces in food processing or healthcare settings; handle waste management. |
10. Building Superintendent |
Oversee building operations, coordinate repairs, respond to tenant issues, supervise staff. |
11. HVAC Maintenance Technician |
Maintain, repair, and install heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in buildings. |
12. Facilities Maintenance Manager |
Manage maintenance teams, plan inspections, coordinate contractors, ensure building compliance. |
13. Cleaning Supervisor |
Supervise cleaners, assign tasks, train new staff, and ensure quality cleaning standards. |
14. Pest Control Technician |
Inspect and treat buildings for pests; apply chemicals safely and keep detailed service records. |
15. Pool Maintenance Technician |
Check chemical levels, clean filters, inspect pool equipment, and ensure safety standards. |
16. Elevator Maintenance Technician |
Inspect, repair, and maintain elevator systems; ensure compliance with safety regulations. |
17. Fire Safety Systems Technician |
Inspect fire alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers; perform routine tests and documentation. |
18. Energy Management Technician |
Monitor and optimize energy usage in buildings; support eco-efficiency initiatives. |
19. Plumber (Maintenance) |
Fix leaks, unclog drains, replace pipes and fixtures; inspect plumbing systems. |
20. Electrician (Maintenance) |
Install, inspect, and repair electrical wiring, systems, lighting, and circuit breakers. |
Job Profile |
Education |
Experience |
Language Skills |
Certification Required |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Janitor / Custodian |
High school preferred |
Not mandatory |
Basic English/French |
No |
2. Building Maintenance Technician |
High school/Technical |
1–3 years |
Basic to Intermediate |
Often yes (trade-specific) |
3. Commercial Cleaner |
No formal education |
Not mandatory |
Basic English/French |
No |
4. Residential Cleaner |
No formal education |
Preferred |
Basic English/French |
No |
5. Industrial Cleaner |
High school preferred |
1 year |
Basic English |
Sometimes (WHMIS) |
6. Window Cleaner |
High school preferred |
Preferred |
Basic English |
Working at Heights (for high-rise) |
7. Floor Care Technician |
High school preferred |
1 year |
Basic English |
On-the-job or WHMIS preferred |
8. Groundskeeper / Landscaper |
No formal education |
Preferred |
Basic English |
No |
9. Sanitation Worker |
High school preferred |
1–2 years |
Basic English |
WHMIS/Sanitation Protocol Training |
10. Building Superintendent |
High school/Trade cert. |
3–5 years |
Intermediate English |
Yes (building operations cert preferred) |
11. HVAC Maintenance Technician |
Technical diploma |
2–4 years |
Intermediate English |
Yes (Red Seal or provincial license) |
12. Facilities Maintenance Manager |
College diploma |
5+ years |
Intermediate to Advanced |
Yes (Facility Management Cert) |
13. Cleaning Supervisor |
High school |
2–3 years |
Intermediate English |
No |
14. Pest Control Technician |
High school |
1–2 years |
Intermediate English |
Yes (Pesticide license) |
15. Pool Maintenance Technician |
High school |
1–2 years |
Basic English |
Pool Operator Certification |
16. Elevator Maintenance Technician |
Technical diploma |
4+ years (Apprenticeship) |
Intermediate English |
Yes (TSSA/Red Seal) |
17. Fire Safety Systems Technician |
Technical diploma |
2–3 years |
Intermediate English |
Yes (CFAA or provincial license) |
18. Energy Management Technician |
College diploma |
2–3 years |
Intermediate English |
Preferred (energy auditing certs) |
19. Plumber (Maintenance) |
Trade certificate |
2–4 years |
Intermediate English |
Yes (Red Seal/provincial license) |
20. Electrician (Maintenance) |
Trade certificate |
2–4 years |
Intermediate English |
Yes (Red Seal/provincial license) |
Job Category |
Job Titles |
Experience Required |
---|---|---|
Entry-Level (0–6 months) |
Janitor, Custodian, Residential Cleaner, Commercial Cleaner, Groundskeeper |
No prior experience required; on-the-job training provided. |
Semi-Skilled (6 months–2 years) |
Floor Care Technician, Sanitation Worker, Industrial Cleaner, Window Cleaner |
6 months to 1 year preferred; safety or WHMIS training is a plus. |
Skilled Trades (1–3 years) |
HVAC Technician, Plumber, Electrician, Pool Maintenance Technician |
1–3 years experience in trade or apprenticeship + certification required. |
Supervisory Roles (2–4 years) |
Cleaning Supervisor, Pest Control Technician, Building Maintenance Technician |
2+ years in cleaning or maintenance field + leadership or specialty knowledge. |
Technical / Specialized (3–5 years) |
Elevator Maintenance Technician, Fire Safety Systems Tech, Energy Manager |
3–5 years + provincial certification (Red Seal, TSSA, CFAA, etc.). |
Management-Level (5+ years) |
Building Superintendent, Facility Maintenance Manager |
5+ years in maintenance, operations, or supervision roles. Leadership experience expected. |
Company Name |
Industry |
Why It Stands Out |
---|---|---|
Bee-Clean Building Maintenance |
Commercial Cleaning |
One of Canada's largest cleaning firms; regularly hires through job banks and LMIA. |
GDI Integrated Facility Services |
Facility Management |
Operates nationwide; offers jobs to newcomers with entry-level and technical roles. |
Sodexo Canada |
Facility & Food Services |
Active in PNP provinces; hires cleaning, maintenance, and sanitation workers. |
Compass Group Canada |
Facility Services |
Operates in healthcare, schools, and offices; frequently posts jobs for cleaners. |
ISS Facility Services |
Janitorial & Maintenance |
International firm with presence in major Canadian cities; values multicultural teams. |
ServiceMaster Clean |
Commercial Cleaning |
Offers local franchise jobs across Canada; some employers support LMIA-based hiring. |
Dexterra Group |
Remote & Urban Services |
Known for hiring in construction camps, airports, and remote facilities. |
Merry Maids Canada |
Residential Cleaning |
Franchises in many cities; beginner-friendly jobs for international workers. |
BGIS (Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions) |
Facility Management |
Hires skilled trades and building technicians; occasionally open to foreign talent. |
CleanMark Group |
Commercial Cleaning |
National cleaning company with flexible work schedules; immigrant-inclusive hiring. |
Aramark Canada |
Facilities & Hospitality |
Frequently hires in maintenance, janitorial, and food service roles. |
Ecofitt Corporation |
Energy/Facility Services |
Hires for energy and maintenance positions; supports sustainability efforts. |
T&T Supermarket (Loblaw Group) |
Retail Facilities |
Often hires cleaning and maintenance workers; supports diversity in hiring. |
Cintas Canada |
Industrial Cleaning |
Hires for industrial cleaning, restroom supplies, and floor care services. |
Canadian Tire Corporation |
Facility Maintenance |
In-house and outsourced roles available in maintenance for stores and warehouses. |
Job Profile |
Avg. Salary (CAD/year) |
Job Requirements |
Top Hiring Companies |
General Roles & Responsibilities |
---|---|---|---|---|
Janitor / Custodian |
$38,000 |
No formal education; basic English; physical fitness |
Bee-Clean, GDI, Compass Group |
General cleaning of buildings, restocking supplies, trash removal |
Building Maintenance Tech |
$48,000 |
High school/tech diploma; 1–3 yrs exp.; basic tools knowledge |
GDI, Dexterra, BGIS |
Basic repairs, equipment checks, routine inspections |
Commercial Cleaner |
$37,000 |
No formal education; WHMIS training preferred |
Bee-Clean, ISS, ServiceMaster |
Cleaning offices, lobbies, restrooms, and common spaces |
Residential Cleaner |
$36,000 |
No formal education; prior home cleaning experience an asset |
Merry Maids, local franchises |
House/apartment cleaning: kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms |
Industrial Cleaner |
$40,000 |
High school; 1+ year exp.; WHMIS/certification |
Cintas, Aramark, Dexterra |
Deep cleaning of warehouses, machines, heavy-duty areas |
Window Cleaner |
$42,000 |
High school; working at heights certification |
ServiceMaster, CleanMark |
Cleaning windows (interior/exterior), often at elevated heights |
Floor Care Technician |
$41,000 |
Floor machine use; WHMIS; 6 months–1 year exp. |
Compass Group, GDI |
Floor stripping, waxing, buffing, and carpet cleaning |
Groundskeeper |
$39,000 |
No formal education; basic landscaping skills |
BGIS, Sodexo, universities |
Outdoor maintenance: lawns, snow removal, sidewalk upkeep |
Sanitation Worker |
$43,000 |
High school; WHMIS; food/health industry familiarity |
Aramark, Dexterra, food plants |
Sanitize equipment and spaces in healthcare or food environments |
Building Superintendent |
$55,000 |
3–5 yrs exp.; basic maintenance skills; communication |
Property management firms, BGIS |
Oversee building operations, respond to tenant issues, manage staff |
HVAC Technician |
$58,000 |
Trade certificate; Red Seal preferred; 2–4 yrs exp. |
BGIS, CleanMark, Cintas |
Install and maintain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems |
Facilities Maintenance Manager |
$70,000 |
College diploma; 5+ yrs exp.; leadership skills |
GDI, Sodexo, BGIS |
Oversee teams, schedule maintenance, manage contracts |
Cleaning Supervisor |
$48,000 |
2+ yrs exp. in cleaning; leadership and coordination skills |
GDI, Compass Group, Bee-Clean |
Supervise cleaners, assign tasks, ensure quality standards |
Pest Control Technician |
$46,000 |
Pest license; 1–2 yrs exp. |
Local pest firms, ServiceMaster |
Identify/treat pest issues, use safe chemicals, maintain records |
Pool Maintenance Technician |
$42,000 |
Pool operator certificate; 1+ yr exp. |
Condo/property firms, recreational centers |
Check pH levels, clean filters, maintain pool equipment |
Elevator Maintenance Tech |
$85,000 |
Trade license; TSSA/Red Seal; 4+ yrs exp. |
KONE, Otis, BGIS |
Maintain, inspect, and repair elevator and lift systems |
Fire Safety Systems Tech |
$60,000 |
CFAA/provincial cert; 2–3 yrs exp. |
Johnson Controls, Firetronics |
Inspect/test fire alarms, sprinklers, and emergency systems |
Energy Management Tech |
$62,000 |
College diploma; 2–3 yrs exp.; energy efficiency knowledge |
Ecofitt, BGIS, large institutions |
Monitor building energy use, recommend optimizations |
Plumber (Maintenance) |
$63,000 |
Red Seal/plumbing license; 2–3 yrs exp. |
Local contractors, BGIS |
Install/fix plumbing fixtures, pipes, systems |
Electrician (Maintenance) |
$65,000 |
Electrical trade license; 2–4 yrs exp. |
BGIS, government buildings |
Install and maintain building wiring, lighting, and power systems |
Visa Program / Permit |
Who It's For |
Eligibility Criteria |
Key Benefits |
---|---|---|---|
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) |
Entry-level & skilled foreign workers hired by Canadian employers |
Valid job offer from an employer + LMIA approval |
Work legally in Canada for up to 2 years (renewable) |
LMIA-Based Work Permit |
Workers in janitorial, technician, or supervisor roles |
Employer must apply for LMIA to prove no Canadian is available for the role |
Pathway to permanent residency with Canadian experience |
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
Semi-skilled or skilled trades workers in high-demand roles |
Must receive a nomination from a province (e.g., BC PNP, OINP, AINP) + job offer |
Faster PR processing, especially if working in-demand |
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) |
Workers for jobs in Atlantic provinces (NB, NS, PEI, NL) |
Job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada + intent to settle there |
No LMIA required; direct pathway to PR |
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) |
Workers willing to live in rural communities (e.g., Sudbury, Vernon, Brandon) |
Community recommendation + full-time job offer |
Direct PR path; ideal for entry-level workers |
Agri-Food Pilot (Limited) |
Sanitation or maintenance workers in food processing facilities |
1 year of Canadian work experience + job offer in eligible industry |
Permanent residency pathway for eligible roles |
Open Work Permit (Spouse of a Worker/Student) |
Spouses of international students or skilled workers |
No job offer required, valid as long as spouse’s permit is valid |
Can work for any employer in Canada |
International Experience Canada (IEC) |
Young adults (18–35) from select countries (e.g., Australia, Ireland, Japan) |
Country-specific quotas; work permits are open or employer-specific |
Allows temporary work in Canada (1–2 years) |
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) |
International students who completed eligible programs in Canada |
Completed 8+ months of full-time study at DLI |
Work in any job (including maintenance or cleaning) |
Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class) |
Skilled workers with Canadian work experience (e.g., technician, electrician) |
1 year of work in NOC TEER 0–3 + language proficiency |
Direct path to PR; points-based system |