Vehicle Cleaners

At a Glance

Clean using scrapers, brushes, soaps, water, or steam
May do minor maintenance and repairs
Usually work outdoors
Most work 40 hours a week
May work days, nights, or weekends
Train on the job

Career summary

Vehicle cleaners clean vehicles, machinery, and other types of equipment.

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Vehicle cleaners often work at car washes. They inspect the vehicle and assess how dirty it is and whether there is damage. They use the following to wash the outside of vehicles:

Brushes
Scrapers
Soaps
Steam
Water

Cleaners may take things apart in order to clean them thoroughly. Sometimes they soak parts in cleaning solutions. When these parts are clean, cleaners put them back together.

Vehicle cleaners polish vehicles by applying wax and removing it by hand or with a buffing machine. They may apply paint to restore color or condition.

To clean the inside of vehicles, cleaners use vacuums. They may also steam clean the seats and carpets.

Vehicle cleaners may document the type of cleaning they performed.

Vehicle cleaners operate cleaning equipment, such as pressure washers. They connect, disconnect, and clean the hoses on these machines. They make sure that all cleaning equipment is working properly and report any problems to a supervisor. Vehicle cleaners mix cleaning solutions and make sure enough cleaning supplies are on hand.

Vehicle cleaners may do minor maintenance, such as check tire pressure and add water to the radiator. They may replace windshield wiper blades and change tires. Cleaners remove protective coatings and plastic coverings on new cars.

Vehicle cleaners often drive vehicles to and from the cleaning area. Sometimes they pick up or deliver vehicles to customers. They usually are responsible for keeping their work area neat.

Related careers

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to vehicle cleaners.

Inspect vehicles or equipment for cleanliness.
Scrub, scrape, or spray machine parts, equipment, or vehicles.
Perform minor repairs and adjustments to vehicles and equipment.
Mix cleaning solutions according to formulas.
Make sure equipment is operating correctly and report problems to supervisor.
Operate cleaning equipment or machines.
Clean and polish vehicle windows.
Rinse and dry parts, using cloth, squeegees, or air compressors.
Drive vehicles to and from workshops and customers' work places or homes.
Take apart machines or remove vehicle parts when necessary.
Turn valves on equipment to control pressure from air and water.
Connect hoses and lines to cleaning equipment.
Maintain inventory of supplies.
Pre-clean parts by soaking them in cleaning solution.
Apply paint, waxes, or polishes.
Turn valves or disconnect hoses to stop operation of equipment.
Sweep or vacuum loose dirt.
Move materials and equipment to and from work areas, using carts or hoists.
Collect and test samples of cleaning solutions.
Clean plastic inside car, using paintbrushes.

Common work activities

Vehicle cleaners perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Get information needed to do the job
Perform activities that use the whole body
Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
Handle and move objects

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, vehicle cleaners:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a medium level of social interaction. Vehicle cleaners talk with customers and supervisors, but usually work alone.
Are responsible for customers' health and safety.
Are responsible for work outcomes.
Communicate with supervisors and customers weekly by telephone or in person.
Work in a group or as part of a team.
Sometimes are placed in conflict situations in which customers may be rude or angry.

Physical work conditions

Usually work outdoors, but sometimes work inside car washes or mechanic shops that do not have air conditioning or heat.
Work inside vehicles on a daily basis.
Are often exposed to contaminants, such as abrasive cleansers.
Usually wear protective clothing, such as rubber gloves.
Often are exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable, such as loud cleaning equipment.
Are often exposed to hazardous equipment, such as power washers.
Are often exposed to hazardous conditions, such as chemicals used in cleaning solutions.
Sometimes are exposed to extremely bright or inadequate lighting.
Sometimes are exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures while working outdoors.
Work near other people, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from others.

Work performance

Must be exact in their work. Errors could damage vehicles.
Are able to set some tasks for the day without talking to a supervisor. This is because they repeat the same physical activities over and over.
Are able to make most decisions without talking to a supervisor.
Must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.

Hours/travel

Generally have a set schedule each week.
May work full time or part time, but most work 40 hours a week.
May work days, evenings, or weekends.

Physical demands

Vehicle cleaners frequently:

Stand for long periods of time.
Walk or run for long periods of time.
Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Repeat the same movements.
Bend or twist their body.

It is important for vehicle cleaners to be able to:

See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for vehicle cleaners to be able to:

Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Understand the speech of another person.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Determine the distance between objects.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
Move arms and legs quickly.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.

Skills and abilities

Vehicle cleaners need to:

Reason and problem solve

Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Work with things

Operate and control equipment.
Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a vehicle cleaner, you typically need to:

complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent. You may also need a driver's license so you can move vehicles.

On-the-job training

Vehicle cleaners learn their skills on the job from experienced workers. Training can last up to a month, but usually is complete in a few days.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Driver Education
Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers may prefer people who are at least 16 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants should be physically able to perform the work. Some employers require applicants to pass a drug test. In general, experience is not required for entry-level vehicle cleaners. Some experience or training may be required for performing tasks such as painting and making minor repairs.

Employers look for people who are reliable and hard-working. Employers may also require a valid driver's license.

Vehicle cleaners who work for city or county transit systems, usually must be able to work non-traditional hours - swing, graveyard, weekend shifts, and holidays. Workers may also need to pass a physical examination.

#Comments from March 1, 2007 Vehicle Cleaner job announcement from Intercity Transit, CJ.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment (SOC 53-7061)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$11.70	$12.18	$13.85	$16.26	$19.09
	Monthly	$2,028	$2,111	$2,400	$2,818	$3,308
	Yearly	$24,340	$25,340	$28,810	$33,820	$39,710
Bellingham	Hourly	$12.14	$12.51	$14.56	$18.37	$22.00
	Monthly	$2,104	$2,168	$2,523	$3,184	$3,813
	Yearly	$25,256	$26,004	$30,275	$38,210	$45,760
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	$12.03	$12.17	$12.67	$17.47	$25.56
	Monthly	$2,085	$2,109	$2,196	$3,028	$4,430
	Yearly	$25,020	$25,311	$26,349	$36,349	$53,159
Clarkston-Lewiston	Hourly	$9.64	$10.61	$12.33	$15.92	$18.09
	Monthly	$1,671	$1,839	$2,137	$2,759	$3,135
	Yearly	$20,055	$22,076	$25,656	$33,110	$37,631
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$12.14	$12.48	$13.42	$15.89	$18.72
	Monthly	$2,104	$2,163	$2,326	$2,754	$3,244
	Yearly	$25,253	$25,961	$27,917	$33,036	$38,929
Longview	Hourly	$12.04	$12.22	$12.73	$14.04	$15.53
	Monthly	$2,087	$2,118	$2,206	$2,433	$2,691
	Yearly	$25,049	$25,409	$26,496	$29,209	$32,303
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	Hourly	$12.09	$12.40	$13.88	$16.18	$18.78
	Monthly	$2,095	$2,149	$2,405	$2,804	$3,255
	Yearly	$25,141	$25,803	$28,872	$33,646	$39,071
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	$12.16	$12.71	$13.92	$15.41	$18.57
	Monthly	$2,107	$2,203	$2,412	$2,671	$3,218
	Yearly	$25,308	$26,453	$28,939	$32,048	$38,640
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$12.16	$13.20	$15.15	$17.77	$20.35
	Monthly	$2,107	$2,288	$2,625	$3,080	$3,527
	Yearly	$25,304	$27,446	$31,505	$36,965	$42,318
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$12.15	$12.50	$13.29	$15.06	$17.41
	Monthly	$2,106	$2,166	$2,303	$2,610	$3,017
	Yearly	$25,277	$25,987	$27,645	$31,325	$36,216
Vancouver	Hourly	$11.16	$12.14	$13.38	$15.31	$18.88
	Monthly	$1,934	$2,104	$2,319	$2,653	$3,272
	Yearly	$23,203	$25,266	$27,825	$31,825	$39,284
Walla Walla	Hourly	$12.06	$12.32	$13.37	$14.91	$16.55
	Monthly	$2,090	$2,135	$2,317	$2,584	$2,868
	Yearly	$25,077	$25,617	$27,802	$31,013	$34,430
Wenatchee	Hourly	$12.15	$12.43	$13.38	$14.93	$17.37
	Monthly	$2,106	$2,154	$2,319	$2,587	$3,010
	Yearly	$25,284	$25,852	$27,815	$31,068	$36,124
Yakima	Hourly	$12.08	$12.33	$12.80	$14.43	$16.61
	Monthly	$2,093	$2,137	$2,218	$2,501	$2,879
	Yearly	$25,127	$25,636	$26,607	$30,025	$34,546
United States	Hourly	$8.96	$10.21	$11.79	$14.44	$18.41
	Monthly	$1,553	$1,769	$2,043	$2,502	$3,190
	Yearly	$18,630	$21,230	$24,530	$30,040	$38,280

Wages vary by area of the country, employer, and the cleaner's level of responsibility.

Car washes may supply vehicle cleaners with uniforms. Cleaners may also receive discounts on gas and free weekly car washes. Full-time vehicle cleaners may receive additional benefits, such as health insurance and paid vacation.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment (SOC 53-7061)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	8,973	12.8%	16.1%	1,551
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	411	13.1%	13.4%	71
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	146	13.7%	8.6%	25
Benton and Franklin Counties	435	12.0%	15.0%	74
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	334	12.6%	11.9%	57
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	665	14.6%	15.2%	118
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	555	1.8%	14.1%	77
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	637	13.2%	14.6%	112
King County	2,729	13.2%	19.6%	474
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	462	16.7%	13.8%	84
Pierce County	905	15.2%	15.2%	162
Snohomish County	951	8.2%	12.4%	151
Spokane County	827	13.5%	13.9%	145
United States	408,500	6.0%	5.2%	63,700

National employment

Major employers:

Auto repair shops
Motor vehicle dealers
Car rental agencies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is strong. This is due to the increase in auto dealerships where many vehicle cleaners work. Limiting demand will be the decline of full-service car washes.

Job turnover is high in this occupation because of the low wages and high physical demands. Many job openings occur as people find better-paying jobs.

Other resources

The International Detailing Association
2345 Rice Street, Suite 220
St. Paul, MN 55113
651.925.5526

References

Career cluster

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Career path

Realistic (Technical)

O*Net occupation

Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment (53-7061.00)

O*Net job zone

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.