Elementary cleaning occupations

How to become a window cleaner

Official title: Window cleaners

Also called: Cleaner, Window cleaner, Windows cleaner, Window cleaning contractor, Cleaning contractor

Window cleaners wash and polish windows and other glass fittings.

Main tasks

Secures ladders and other equipment to gain safe access to glass
Selects appropriate cleaning or polishing implement
Washes and polishes glass with brushes, cloths, sponges, water and solvents

How to become one

No academic qualifications are required. On-the-job training may be available in larger firms. Relevant vocational qualifications at level 2 are available.

Pay · Outlook

Median full-time pay: £29,185 a year
About 48,300 people work in this job now, and about 46,600 are projected by 2035. (-3.7%)

Questions people ask

How do I become a window cleaner?

No academic qualifications are required. On-the-job training may be available in larger firms. Relevant vocational qualifications at level 2 are available.

How much does a window cleaner earn in the UK?

Median full-time pay is £29,185 a year (Office for National Statistics).

Is a window cleaner a growing career in the UK?

Employment is projected to fall 4% by 2035, from about 48,300 to about 46,600 people (Department for Education).

Sources

Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03