Job Features

• Housekeepers at hospitals dust furniture, sweep and wet-mop floors, vacuum carpets and rugs, clean bathrooms, make beds, wash bed frames and restock clean linens. Hospital housekeepers typically work during the day, but some positions are in the evening.
  
  

Pay Range

• About 17 percent of all housekeepers worked at hospitals, nursing homes and other residential care facilities in 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most hospital housekeeping positions are in urban areas, since cities typically have numerous medical facilities. The average wage for all housekeepers as of May 2009 was about $10 per hour, or $20,840 per year for those who worked full-time. Those working in hospitals had an average pay rate of $11 per hour, or $22,900 per year. Housekeepers working in nursing care facilities earned an average of $9.90 per hour, or $20,620 per year.
  
  

Specifics

• The job search website Indeed.com lists over 3,000 jobs for hospital housekeepers throughout the country in January 2011. The listings may be for housekeeping aides, housekeeping technicians or housekeeping services assistants. Some employers were looking for hospital housekeeping managers. Part-time and full-time positions are available, and working every other weekend is a common requirement. Full-time hospital housekeeping positions provide full benefits packages with company-contributed health and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) or other savings plan and paid time off for vacations, holidays and personal days.
  
  

Outlook

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects good prospects for all types of housekeepers through at least 2018. Because this occupation employs very large numbers of people and the workers regularly change to different jobs, many openings are usually available for all types of housekeepers. In addition, the healthcare industry continues to grow, leading to the building and expansion of hospitals and other medical facilities, all of which need daily cleaning.