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Commercial cleaning and facilities-management companies across the United Kingdom employ workers to maintain offices, schools, hospitals, warehouses, factories, government buildings, retail premises and other commercial sites.
Common job titles include Commercial Cleaner, Cleaning Operative, Industrial Cleaner, Facilities Assistant, Facilities Operative, School Cleaner and Hospital Cleaner. These roles can be available as full-time, part-time, permanent, temporary or agency positions.
Current September 2026 vacancies show regular recruitment across the UK. Recent examples include commercial cleaning jobs paying around £12.71–£14.25 per hour, Facilities Assistant positions around £12.71–£15.13 per hour, and some specialist industrial-cleaning work offering higher earnings depending on shift and duties. (Civil Service Jobs)
For workers aged 21 and over, the UK’s National Living Wage increased to £12.71 per hour from 1 April 2026. This means the earlier £11.44 figure is no longer an appropriate 2026 reference for workers aged 21+. (GOV.UK)
UK Commercial Cleaning & Facilities Jobs Overview
| Job Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Job Sector | Cleaning / Facilities Management / Soft FM |
| Main Roles | Cleaner, Cleaning Operative, Industrial Cleaner, Facilities Assistant, Facilities Operative |
| Workplaces | Offices, Schools, Hospitals, Warehouses, Factories, Retail & Public Buildings |
| Employment Type | Full-Time / Part-Time / Permanent / Temporary / Agency |
| Experience | Entry-level to experienced depending on role |
| Education | Usually employer dependent |
| Shift Work | Common |
| Early / Evening Work | Very common |
| Physical Work | Common |
| DBS / PVG Check | May be required for schools, hospitals or regulated settings |
| Pay | Commonly around £12.71–£15+ per hour depending on role |
| Application | Employer, council, NHS, facilities company or verified job portal |
Commercial Cleaner / Cleaning Operative
Commercial Cleaners maintain business and public premises.
Typical duties can include:
- Vacuuming carpets
- Sweeping and mopping floors
- Cleaning toilets and washrooms
- Emptying bins
- Wiping desks and surfaces
- Sanitising touchpoints
- Cleaning kitchens and staff areas
- Replenishing soap and paper products
- Maintaining cleaning equipment
The National Careers Service describes Cleaner roles across offices, schools, hotels and hospitals and gives an annual salary reference of approximately £19,000 for starters to £25,000 for experienced workers. (National Careers Service)
A current Cleaner vacancy in Milton Keynes pays £12.71 per hour for office, communal-area and washroom cleaning. Similar current vacancies in Rugby, Fareham and other UK locations also advertise £12.71 per hour. (Civil Service Jobs)
Industrial Cleaner
Industrial cleaning can involve more demanding work inside:
- Factories
- Food-production facilities
- Warehouses
- Manufacturing sites
- Machinery areas
- Loading bays
Typical duties may include:
- Cleaning machinery
- Jet washing
- Deep cleaning production areas
- Removing industrial waste
- Cleaning floors and equipment
- Following hygiene procedures
- Using specialist cleaning chemicals
The National Careers Service gives Industrial Cleaners a salary range of approximately £24,000–£30,000 per year, with typical working hours of 40–48 hours per week. (National Careers Service)
A current Horstead Industrial Cleaner vacancy pays £14.25 per hour for afternoon-shift factory cleaning, while another Halifax vacancy pays £13.21 per hour. (Civil Service Jobs)
Facilities Assistant
Facilities Assistants can perform a wider range of duties than ordinary cleaning staff.
Depending on the workplace, duties may include:
- Cleaning
- Basic housekeeping
- Waste management
- Checking rooms or buildings
- Reporting maintenance problems
- Setting up facilities
- Supporting catering
- Keeping communal areas safe and tidy
A current North Ayrshire Council Facilities Assistant position pays £13.52 per hour and involves cleaning and housekeeping duties. (Civil Service Jobs)
Another current Facilities Assistant role in Argyll pays £12.71 per hour for a full-time 40-hour week and includes maintaining accommodation and facilities. (Civil Service Jobs)
Facilities Operative
A Facilities Operative may combine several “soft facilities management” duties.
These can include:
- Building cleaning
- Waste management
- Catering support
- Security-related support
- School or public-building duties
- Basic site upkeep
A current Aberdeenshire Council Relief Facilities Operative vacancy pays approximately £14.71–£15.13 per hour. (Civil Service Jobs)
North Ayrshire Council also currently advertises a Facilities Assistant – Cleaner at £13.52 per hour for cleaning council buildings including schools, nurseries, offices, libraries and residential facilities. (Civil Service Jobs)
School Cleaner
School-cleaning jobs can involve:
- Cleaning classrooms
- Hallways
- Toilets
- Dining areas
- Staff rooms
- School grounds
A current Cheltenham school-cleaning vacancy pays £12.71 per hour and requires an Enhanced DBS check. Previous school or similar cleaning experience is preferred. (Civil Service Jobs)
Candidates working around children may be subject to additional background-check requirements.
Hospital & Healthcare Cleaning
Hospital cleaners may need to follow stricter hygiene and infection-control procedures.
The National Careers Service notes that cleaners working in hospital wards and operating theatres may need to follow specific infection-control procedures. (National Careers Service)
A recent Kent Community Health NHS Facilities Operative role paid £12.92 per hour, with enhanced pay available for weekends, bank holidays and some unsociable hours. (Civil Service Jobs)
Vacancy & Salary Details
| Job Role | Salary (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Commercial Cleaner / Cleaning Operative | £12.71 – £14.00+ per hour |
| Office Cleaner | £12.71 – £14.00+ per hour |
| School Cleaner | £12.71 – £14.00+ per hour |
| Hospital / Healthcare Cleaner | £12.71 – £14.50+ per hour |
| Industrial Cleaner | £12.71 – £14.50+ per hour |
| Facilities Assistant | £12.71 – £14.50+ per hour |
| Facilities Operative | £13.00 – £15.13+ per hour |
| Specialist / Night Industrial Cleaning | £14.00 – £19.00+ per hour in some roles |
Current vacancy evidence supports rates around £12.71 for standard cleaning, £13–£14.25 for some industrial and specialist cleaning positions, and above £14 for certain facilities roles. Some current industrial vacancies can reach higher effective rates depending on shift arrangements and overtime. (Civil Service Jobs)
Salary Disclaimer: These figures are current UK market and vacancy references, not guaranteed pay from every cleaning or facilities employer. Actual earnings vary according to location, age, role, working hours, shift pattern, experience, overtime and contract. The statutory National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour from 1 April 2026. (GOV.UK)
Educational Qualification
There is no single formal education requirement for most general Cleaner jobs.
The National Careers Service states that candidates can apply directly and that there are no set entry requirements for many cleaning positions. Employers generally look for reliability and the ability to perform the work properly. (National Careers Service)
Useful skills include:
- Attention to detail
- Reliability
- Time management
- Physical fitness
- Ability to work independently
- Basic communication
- Safe use of cleaning products
Can Freshers Apply?
Yes. Some Commercial Cleaner and Cleaning Operative jobs can be suitable for candidates without extensive previous experience.
Employers may provide on-the-job training. A current Sodexo Cleaning Operative vacancy paying £12.71 per hour specifically advertises on-the-job training and funded apprenticeship opportunities. (Civil Service Jobs)
Industrial, healthcare and supervisory cleaning jobs are more likely to prefer previous experience.
Working Hours & Shifts
Cleaning and facilities work can involve:
- Early mornings
- Day shifts
- Evening shifts
- Night shifts
- Split shifts
- Weekend work
- Bank holidays
The National Careers Service gives ordinary Cleaner roles typical hours of around 34–42 hours per week, while Industrial Cleaners may work around 40–48 hours. (National Careers Service)
Part-time cleaning work is also very common. Current vacancies include positions ranging from a few hours per day to full-time contracts.
Current UK Cleaning & Facilities Recruitment
Current September 2026 vacancies include Commercial Cleaners, Industrial Cleaners, Facilities Assistants and Facilities Operatives across England, Scotland and Wales.
Examples currently range from £12.71 per hour for standard cleaning, around £13.21–£14.25 for industrial cleaning, and approximately £13.52–£15.13 for some facilities roles. (Civil Service Jobs)
UK jobseekers should check each vacancy for its exact hours, location, DBS/PVG requirements, experience and employment type before applying.
How to Apply for Commercial Cleaning & Facilities Jobs in the UK
Candidates interested in Commercial Cleaner, Cleaning Operative, Industrial Cleaner, School Cleaner, Hospital Cleaner or Facilities Assistant jobs can apply through direct employer websites, councils, NHS organisations, facilities-management companies, recruitment agencies or verified UK job portals.
A practical application process is:
- Search for cleaning and facilities vacancies in your local area.
- Check whether the role is full-time, part-time or shift-based.
- Read the job duties carefully.
- Check whether previous experience is required.
- Check whether a DBS or PVG check is needed.
- Confirm the hourly rate and weekly hours.
- Prepare a simple CV.
- Submit the application online.
- Complete an interview or assessment if required.
- Provide evidence of your right to work.
- Complete any background checks.
- Review the contract and shift pattern before starting.
Where to Find Cleaning & Facilities Jobs
Candidates can search through:
- GOV.UK Find a Job
- Facilities-management company websites
- NHS Jobs
- Local council careers pages
- School recruitment portals
- Hospital careers pages
- Industrial employers
- Cleaning contractors
- Recruitment agencies
Useful search terms include:
- Cleaner
- Cleaning Operative
- Commercial Cleaner
- Office Cleaner
- School Cleaner
- Hospital Cleaner
- Industrial Cleaner
- Facilities Assistant
- Facilities Operative
- Housekeeping Operative
The National Careers Service also directs jobseekers toward direct applications and current vacancies for Cleaner roles. (nationalcareers.service.gov.uk)
Documents You May Need
Depending on the employer and workplace, candidates may need:
- CV / Resume
- Proof of identity
- Proof of UK right to work
- Share code where applicable
- National Insurance details
- Proof of address where requested
- Previous employment details
- References
- DBS certificate where applicable
- PVG membership for relevant Scottish roles
- Cleaning or COSHH training certificates where applicable
Employers must verify the right to work of employees before employment begins. (gov.uk)
DBS Checks for School & Healthcare Cleaning
Some cleaning roles involve working in environments where additional background checks can apply.
These can include:
- Schools
- Nurseries
- Hospitals
- Care facilities
- Other regulated environments
The level of DBS check depends on the role and duties. Employers are responsible for determining whether a particular post is eligible for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check. (gov.uk)
Candidates should not assume that every ordinary office-cleaning role requires an Enhanced DBS check.
How to Prepare a Cleaning CV
A cleaning CV can be simple.
Include:
- Full name
- Contact details
- Current location
- Previous cleaning experience
- Commercial cleaning experience
- Hospital or school cleaning experience
- Industrial cleaning experience
- Facilities experience
- Shift availability
- Driving licence where relevant
Candidates without previous professional cleaning experience can highlight transferable experience from:
- Hotels
- Warehouses
- Restaurants
- Care homes
- Retail
- Housekeeping
- Factories
Do not invent work history.
Useful CV Points for Cleaners
Candidates with genuine experience may include:
- Cleaned offices and communal areas
- Vacuumed and mopped floors
- Sanitised high-touch surfaces
- Cleaned toilets and washrooms
- Emptied waste bins
- Replenished hygiene supplies
- Followed cleaning schedules
- Used cleaning equipment safely
- Followed COSHH instructions
- Maintained high hygiene standards
Useful CV Points for Facilities Assistants
Candidates may mention:
- Supported day-to-day facility operations
- Reported maintenance issues
- Maintained communal areas
- Assisted with room setup
- Managed waste and recycling
- Supported cleaning teams
- Checked building areas for safety issues
- Assisted visitors or staff where required
Common Cleaning Interview Questions
Do you have cleaning experience?
Explain your genuine work history and the type of premises you cleaned.
Which cleaning products have you used?
Mention only products or equipment you have actually used.
How do you avoid cross-contamination?
A good answer can mention:
- Using separate cloths or equipment
- Following colour-coding systems
- Correct chemical use
- Cleaning from less contaminated to more contaminated areas
Can you work early mornings or evenings?
Cleaning contracts often operate outside normal office hours.
Can you work independently?
Many cleaners work without direct supervision for part of their shift.
How would you deal with a spill or hazard?
Secure the area, follow the correct cleaning procedure and report the hazard where required.
COSHH & Cleaning Chemicals
Commercial cleaning can involve detergents, disinfectants and other substances.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations require employers to assess and control risks from hazardous substances. (hse.gov.uk)
Employees may need training on:
- Correct chemical dilution
- Product labels
- PPE
- Storage
- Spill procedures
- Never mixing incompatible chemicals
Candidates should follow employer training rather than guessing how a chemical should be used.
Can Freshers Apply?
Yes. Many general Cleaner and Cleaning Operative jobs can be suitable for people without previous professional experience.
Employers may focus on:
- Reliability
- Punctuality
- Attention to detail
- Ability to follow instructions
- Physical ability
- Shift availability
- Willingness to learn
Industrial, specialist and supervisory roles are more likely to require previous experience.
Working Hours
Cleaning jobs can vary significantly in hours.
Common schedules include:
- Early mornings
- Day shifts
- Evening shifts
- Night shifts
- Split shifts
- Weekend work
- Bank-holiday work
Part-time positions are common because some offices, schools and retail premises require cleaning before opening or after closing.
Facilities roles may offer more standard full-time hours depending on the site.
Temporary, Permanent & Agency Work
Cleaning and facilities vacancies may be offered as:
- Permanent
- Temporary
- Fixed-term
- Part-time
- Full-time
- Agency work
- Relief / casual work
Agency work is common in commercial cleaning.
Before accepting agency employment, check:
- Hourly pay
- Hours
- Job location
- Who pays you
- Deductions
- Contract type
- Holiday arrangements
UK agencies must provide key information about assignments and pay. (gov.uk)
Agency Worker Rights
Agency workers have legal protections in the UK.
After 12 weeks in the same job, qualifying agency workers can gain equal-treatment rights in areas such as basic pay and working-time conditions compared with an equivalent directly employed worker. (gov.uk)
Employment agencies also cannot charge jobseekers a fee simply for finding or trying to find them work. (gov.uk)
Night & Weekend Pay
Some employers offer additional pay for:
- Night shifts
- Weekend shifts
- Bank holidays
- Unsociable hours
Healthcare employers can sometimes use structured enhanced rates for certain unsociable hours, while other cleaning contractors may simply offer a flat hourly rate.
Extra pay is not guaranteed for every cleaning job.
Candidates should check the individual contract.
Benefits
Depending on the employer and contract, benefits may include:
- Paid annual leave
- Workplace pension
- Staff discounts
- Uniform
- PPE
- Training
- Apprenticeship opportunities
- Overtime
- Shift enhancements
- Employee assistance programmes
These benefits vary by employer.
Career Growth
Commercial cleaning can provide progression into supervisory and facilities roles.
A possible path can be:
Cleaner → Senior Cleaner → Cleaning Supervisor → Cleaning Manager
Facilities workers may progress through:
Facilities Assistant → Facilities Operative → Facilities Coordinator → Facilities Supervisor
Industrial cleaners may also move into:
- Specialist cleaning
- Team leader roles
- Hygiene supervision
- Industrial site services
Actual progression depends on training, experience and employer structure.
Recruitment Scam Warning
Be cautious of advertisements claiming:
- Guaranteed Cleaning Job After Payment
- £20 Per Hour for Basic Cleaning With No Conditions
- Job Confirmed Through WhatsApp Only
- No Right-to-Work Check
- Guaranteed NHS Cleaning Job
- Guaranteed Council Job After Registration Fee
A genuine UK recruitment agency cannot charge a work-seeker a fee merely for finding or trying to find them employment. (gov.uk)
Never share:
- OTP
- ATM PIN
- Card PIN
- Online banking password
Verify the employer or recruitment agency before providing sensitive information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a cleaning job without experience?
Yes. Many entry-level Cleaner and Cleaning Operative positions accept candidates without previous professional cleaning experience.
How much do cleaners earn in the UK?
As discussed earlier, many current cleaning jobs pay around £12.71–£14.00+ per hour, while industrial and facilities positions can pay more.
Is £11.44 still the UK minimum wage?
No for workers aged 21 and over. From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage is £12.71 per hour. (gov.uk)
Do school cleaners need a DBS check?
Some school roles require an appropriate DBS check depending on the duties and level of access.
Do hospital cleaners need special training?
Hospital cleaners may receive training in infection control, hygiene and safe chemical use.
Are cleaning jobs available part-time?
Yes. Part-time cleaning is very common, especially in offices, schools and commercial buildings.
Can I work through an agency?
Yes. Many cleaning contracts use agency workers.
Can an agency charge me to find work?
No. Employment agencies generally cannot charge jobseekers a fee simply for finding them a job. (gov.uk)
Do I need the right to work in the UK?
Yes. Employers must verify your legal right to work before employment begins. (gov.uk)
Where should I apply?
Use GOV.UK Find a Job, direct facilities-management company websites, council careers pages, NHS Jobs and reputable recruitment agencies.
Disclaimer
This article is an independent career-information guide for people interested in Commercial Cleaning, Industrial Cleaning, School Cleaning, Healthcare Cleaning, Facilities Assistant and related jobs in the United Kingdom. It does not guarantee a current vacancy, job offer, hourly rate, shift allowance, permanent contract or selection. Vacancies, pay rates, DBS requirements and employment conditions can change. Always verify the individual employer, recruitment agency, job advertisement, right-to-work requirements and contract before applying or making any payment.
