Walmart Janitor: Duties, Pay, Job Outlook and More
If you‘re considering becoming a Walmart janitor, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about succeeding in this entry-level role.
As an experienced e-commerce professional who started out doing retail floor jobs, I understand the ins and outs of working your way up from the bottom. My goal is to provide an in-depth look at the Walmart janitor position from an informed expert perspective.
Whether you‘re a recent high school grad or someone looking to switch careers, a janitor job at Walmart can provide stable income, benefits, and opportunities to advance. However, it‘s physically demanding work that requires dedication.
Let‘s take a closer look at what the job entails and how you can put yourself on the path to success as a Walmart janitor.
What Does a Walmart Janitor Do?
The core responsibility of a Walmart janitor is cleaning and maintaining store facilities to provide a tidy, safe environment for customers and employees.
As a janitor, you will spend most of your workday performing cleaning tasks like:
- Sweeping and mopping floors
- Scrubbing bathroom surfaces and restocking supplies
- Wiping down walls, windows, counters
- Emptying trash bins and recycling
- Dusting and polishing fixtures and surfaces
- Disinfecting areas like break rooms, checkout lanes
Janitors need to regularly walk around the store looking for any potential hazards or unclean areas that need attention. This includes cleaning up spills or debris in aisles, removing gum from flooring, and maintaining exterior areas like the parking lot and sidewalks.
Some additional duties may include:
- Replacing light bulbs
- Touching up paint or plaster
- Reporting damaged equipment
- Assembling fixtures or furniture
- Monitoring supply inventory
- Unpacking and stocking supplies
The daily tasks depend on factors like store size, location, shift, and staffing needs. Larger Supercenter stores have more ground to cover than smaller Express stores. Overnight janitors focus more on deep cleaning and restocking.
No matter what, attention to detail and commitment to cleanliness are vital. Janitors take pride in maintaining an immaculate store environment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 1.3 million janitors and cleaners were employed in the U.S. as of 2021. It offers stable work across all industries.
Skills and Qualifications For Walmart Janitors
While no professional cleaning experience is required, you do need certain core abilities to excel as a Walmart janitor:
Time Management and Efficiency: You have a set schedule and area to cover each shift. Being able to quickly tidy areas without wasting time is crucial.
Organization: Keeping cleaning supplies, tools, and equipment neatly stored and knowing where items belong makes the job smoother.
Stamina: Janitorial work means being on your feet upwards of 6-8 hours a day while bending, lifting, scrubbing, and reaching. Physical fitness is a must.
Reliability: Showing up on time every scheduled shift and adhering to company policies is expected. Managers depend on janitorial staff.
Basic Computer Skills: Janitors need to record maintenance logs, order supplies, and use email. Comfort with productivity software is useful.
Teamwork: Cooperating with fellow cleaning and maintenance staff enhances productivity.
Walmart prefers janitor candidates to have a high school diploma or GED. But the most important quality is a willingness to work hard and follow procedures. Some retail cleaning experience can also be beneficial.
Step-By-Step Guide to Applying
Follow this simple guide to submit your Walmart janitor application and set yourself up for success:
1. Search for Openings
- Go to the Walmart careers site and look under Installation, Maintenance, Utilities
- Search "janitor", "maintenance", or "cleaning" to find current openings
- Focus on stores convenient to your location
2. Review the Job Description
- Read over all listed responsibilities and qualifications
- Make sure your skills are a fit
- Note any hiring incentives like bonuses
3. Polish Your Application Materials
- Update your resume to highlight cleaning experience
- Draft a cover letter emphasizing your reliability, work ethic, and customer service abilities
4. Submit Your Online Application
- Fill out all sections completely and accurately
- Include all background, education, and prior jobs
- Double check for spelling and grammar errors
5. Prepare for the Interview Stage
- Review common janitor interview questions and practice responses
- Prepare questions to ask about training, advancement, etc.
- Select appropriate interview attire to make a good impression
With strong application materials and interview skills, you can outshine other candidates vying for the janitor role.
Hours and Schedules
To maintain cleanliness, janitors must be on duty whenever stores are open. Typical Walmart janitor schedules include:
- Full-time: 34-40 hours; 4-5 days per week
- Part-time: 10-30 hours; 2-3 days per week
- Overnight: Working 6pm-6am or similar
- Early morning: Starting at 4am or 5am
As a new janitor, your shifts depend on store needs and existing staff. Having full open availability makes you more valuable. With seniority, you gain input on preferred hours.
The busiest seasons like back-to-school and holidays see extended hours. So reliable transportation to accommodate any scheduled shift is a must.
Shifts often rotate between mornings one week and closing the next week. Having flexibility and stamina for varying hours is key.
Janitor Hourly Pay and Benefits
According to Walmart‘s latest corporate filings, the average national hourly wage for a Walmart janitor is $13.17 as of 2022. However, actual janitor pay can range based on position, store location, and employee tenure.
Some important notes on Walmart janitor pay and benefits:
- Hourly wage typically ranges from $11 to $16
- Annual pay for 35 hours/week is $23k – $28k
- Higher wages in major cities like LA or NYC
- Periodic raises reward strong performance
- Benefits like 401(k), employee stock purchase plan
- Store discount 10-20% on purchases
- Bonus opportunities for attendance, performance
Based on Glassdoor data, the average reported janitor pay at Walmart is $12/hour, with wages spanning $10 – $18 per hour depending on experience.
While compensation starts on the modest side, Walmart offers steady raises for reliable employees. The benefits package provides nice perks not always common for entry level jobs.
The Pros and Cons of Being a Walmart Janitor
Before applying for the Walmart janitor job, weigh some of the most common pros and cons reported by current and past employees in this role:
The Pros
- Set schedule with regular hours
- Lower stress than many retail floor positions
- Good source of income right out of high school
- Employee product discounts
- Eligible for bonuses and raises
- Can build foundational job skills
- Opportunities to advance over time
The Cons
- Physically strenuous and tiring
- Dealing with messes and occasional rude customers
- Less flexibility with schedule changes
- Repetitive daily tasks
- Limited career trajectory in the role itself
Overall, if you don‘t mind hands-on work and appreciate a steady paycheck, the stability of the Walmart janitor role can outweigh the cons for the right person. But it’s important to understand the realities.
Past employees emphasize bringing your best attitude daily and taking pride in your work. Rating on Indeed show decent satisfaction around 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Growth Opportunities as a Janitor
What some may not realize is that Walmart offers real advancement potential to entry level employees. Janitors can pave the path to grow into roles like:
- Maintenance Lead/Supervisor
- Department or Floor Manager
- Inventory Control Specialist
- Overnight Stocker
- Customer Service Manager
- Assistant Store Manager
- Store Manager
In fact, over 75% of Walmart‘s store management staff began as hourly in-store employees.
The key is distinguishing yourself through solid performance, leadership abilities, and drive to take on more responsibility over time.
Here are some tips to boost your chances of promotion as a Walmart janitor:
- Maintain an excellent attendance record
- Seek extra training and acquire new skills
- Volunteer for special projects
- Provide great customer service beyond just cleaning
- Offer suggestions and process improvements
- Ask about cross-training in other departments
- Apply for newly opened higher level roles once eligible
Hard work, reliability, and aptitude for more responsibility can elevate you above other candidates. Janitorial jobs may not seem glamorous, but they create opportunities.
Qualities of Successful Walmart Janitors
To truly excel as a Walmart janitor, there are some crucial qualities and skills beyond just being able to clean well.
Reliability: Managers need to have full faith you will show up on time and ready to tackle all assigned duties.
Positivity: Bring an upbeat attitude to create pleasant interactions with customers and coworkers.
Efficiency: Find ways to complete tasks faster without sacrificing quality.
Adaptability: Be ready to alter tasks based on changing store needs and priorities.
Communication: Ask clarifying questions, report concerns, and share ideas with your supervisor.
Problem-solving: Offer solutions when you notice process, supply, or equipment issues.
Initiative: Look for extra tasks to take on rather than waiting around with nothing to do.
Focus: Avoid distractions and stay fully present on completing each cleaning task thoroughly.
Janitors with these attributes and abilities tend to excel and win consideration for advancement. Bring them to the job each shift.
Top Mistakes to Avoid As a Janitor
It‘s also crucial to sidestep these common missteps I‘ve observed from underperforming janitors over the years:
- Showing up late consistently
- Allowing distractions to affect productivity
- Skipping or rushing through cleaning steps
- Ignoring safety protocols
- Acting bored, lazy, or entitled
- Not accepting feedback from managers
- Taking long breaks
- Forgetting to restock supplies
- Leaving things messy or unorganized
A single incident likely won‘t cost you the job. But habitual issues in any of these areas can limit your progression.
Set yourself up for success by maintaining high standards and commitment each shift. Your efforts will be noticed and rewarded.
Additional Tips for Thriving as a Walmart Janitor
If you want to excel and grow in this starter janitor role at Walmart, keep these additional success tips in mind:
Ask questions and don‘t be afraid to request clarification when unsure about any tasks or procedures. It‘s better to double check than make mistakes.
Take pride in your work – even cleaning floors or restrooms becomes rewarding when you focus on doing it exceptionally well.
Stay organized – keep your cleaning cart neatly arranged so tools and supplies are easily accessible. Being efficient saves time.
Learn maintenance skills like basic plumbing, electrical, and handyman fixes. Cross-training makes you more versatile.
Suggest improvements – if you notice equipment or processes that could be better, respectfully share ideas with your manager.
Build relationships – get to know fellow janitors and other departments. Teamwork and communication make the store function smoother.
Ask about benefits – don‘t leave any Walmart perks like employee stock options or tuition help on the table by fully understanding compensation.
Have a positive attitude – even cleaning tough messes and bathrooms stays satisfying with an upbeat outlook focused on providing excellent service.
Master these tips starting on day one to become a high-caliber janitor.
Conclusion
I hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of everything involved in being a Walmart janitor. The core duties involve heavy cleaning to maintain store appearance and safety standards. While the work itself can be physically strenuous, it offers a stable job right out of high school with decent hourly pay.
Most importantly, the role gives you a foot in the door with the potential to be promoted into retail management down the line if you consistently exemplify sterling performance, initiative, and commitment.
If you believe you have the diligence and determination needed to excel as a janitor, it can provide the first rung on the ladder of a rewarding, lifelong career with Walmart. Feel free to reference back to the advice and insights in this article to help you thrive. The rest is up to you – good luck!