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Cleaning Jobs: Where to find open positions now and salaries of up to R 13,975/month
Find out where to look for cleaning jobs, compare city-based salaries, benefits, requirements, and learn how to apply quickly and safely
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Learn in less than 10 minutes how to:
– Find cleaning jobs in South Africa on the most popular websites and platforms
– Apply the right way and increase your chances (step-by-step + keywords)
– Understand average salaries and the hourly wage floor to compare offers
– See salary examples by city and plan where to start searching
– Identify common benefits and key contract/rights terms to filter more reliable jobs
– Recognize the most common requirements and what makes your resume stand out
– Know where there are more opportunities and how to use search radius and alerts
– Map out a clear career path, from entry-level to supervision and management
Where to Find Cleaning Job Openings
Websites with high volume and filters:
- Indeed South Africa: large number of listings, filters by city and keywords
- PNet: strong for outsourced cleaning and listings that show career progression (supervision/management)
- Careers24: traditional portal with presence in major cities
- CareerJunction: helpful for comparing demand by region
- Classifieds (e.g., Gumtree): may offer quick local jobs, but always verify the company/contact
- Cleaning Platforms (app model): like SweepSouth, ideal for more flexible work formats
Tip: Don’t limit your search to “cleaner” — many ads use variations such as office cleaner, general worker – cleaning, public areas, or janitor.
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Step-by-Step: How to Apply
- Choose 2–3 websites to start (Indeed, PNet, and Careers24 offer good coverage)
- Create a clear profile and resume (state role, experience, locations you’re willing to work in, shift availability)
- Search using terms like: Cleaner, Office Cleaner, General Cleaner, Public Area Cleaner, Cleaning Supervisor, and Night Shift (if applicable)
- Set up job alerts by city/province
- Apply only to listings with clear information (company, location, hours, and pay)
- Avoid any job that requires payment before hiring (interview fee, “mandatory” uniform, paid registration)
- After applying, follow up quickly if contacted — many roles require immediate availability
Salaries: Averages, Minimums, and Practical Differences
Factors That Affect Pay
- Type of location (hospital, mall, office, factory)
- Whether it’s outsourced (contract cleaning)
- Day vs. night shifts
- Hours per week (40h, 45h, part-time)
- Experience (technical cleaning, machine use, leadership)
Average Salaries
Cleaner (national average): ~R 5,339/month
Office Cleaner: ~R 5,911/month
Minimum Wage Reference
National Minimum Wage (2025): R 28.79/hour
Weekly Hours and Approximate Monthly Pay
45h/week: ~R 5,613.62/month
40h/week: ~R 4,989.88/month
In some regions (e.g., KwaZulu-Natal), sectoral agreements may push rates to ~R 30.86/hour
Salary and Role Differences in Cleaning Jobs
Salary often reflects responsibility level, environment type, shift, site size, and inspection standards
Typical Roles and Salaries
Cleaner / General Cleaner
- Tasks: floors, bathrooms, touchpoints, trash, restocking
- Average: ~R 5,339/month
- Where: Offices, malls, schools, housing complexes
Office Cleaner
- Focus: rooms, reception, pantry, restrooms
- Average: ~R 5,911/month
- Where: Office buildings, companies, outsourcing
Lead / Senior Cleaner
- Distributes tasks, checks standards, trains staff
- Salary: Above cleaner (varies)
- Where: Outsourcing, hospitals, malls
Cleaning/Housekeeping Supervisor
- Team scheduling, inspections, materials
- Range: R 6,548 to R 19,734/month
- Where: Contract cleaning, hotels, inspected sites
Housekeeping / Cleaning Manager
- Full site management: goals, audits, staff
- Average: ~R 13,975/month (can be higher)
- Where: Facilities, hotels, large contracts
Common Benefits and Worker Rights to Check
Typical Benefits in Formal Jobs
- Medical aid (assistance or health plan)
- Provident fund / Pension
- Night shift differential
- Training and standard procedures
Legal and Contractual Rights
- UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund): 2% contribution (1% worker, 1% employer)
- Annual leave: Minimum of 21 consecutive days/year
- Avoid offers that charge for uniforms, recruitment, or supplies
Most Common Requirements (and What Helps You Get Hired)
Standard Requirements
- Attention to detail and hygiene
- Physical stamina and organization
- Safe use of products and signs
- Punctuality and reliability
- Ability to follow checklists and routines
- Availability for different shifts
Differentiators That Make a Difference
- Experience with machines (polisher, extractor, scrubber)
- Knowledge of SOPs (standard operating procedures)
- Ability to record tasks (simple checklist, reporting)
Career Growth in Cleaning Jobs
Typical Career Path
- Cleaner / General Cleaner
- Senior / Lead Cleaner
- Site Supervisor
- Cleaning Manager / Soft Services Supervisor
- Contract/Area Manager
How to Grow Faster
- Learn supply control and inventory
- Understand how to measure quality (checklists, inspections)
- Keep a consistent performance
- Take leadership tasks when available
Why Cleaning Jobs Have Steady Demand
Cleaning jobs support the operation of high-traffic environments that rely on hygiene and safety — like offices, hospitals, schools, malls, airports, hotels, factories, and logistics centers
Outsourcing ensures standards and compliance, which keeps the market stable even during economic fluctuations
Cleaning is a strong entry point into the job market, with flexible shifts and real paths to leadership for those who show reliability and learn key processes
Conclusion
Cleaning jobs remain in high demand in South Africa, especially in Gauteng (Johannesburg/Pretoria), Western Cape (Cape Town), and KwaZulu-Natal (Durban), with average monthly salaries from R 5,300 to R 5,900 and a national hourly minimum of R 28.79 (higher in some regional agreements)
The best approach is to use the right job portals, apply with the correct keywords, compare hours and benefits, and prioritize companies with clear contracts and a history of outsourcing
For those starting as Cleaners, consistent performance can realistically lead to Lead or Supervisor roles — often with better pay and greater job stability
