What is the salary for an average high-rise window washer per year?
The pay for a window washer is variable depending on the job’s location, experience, and function. According to Glassdoor, the median salary for a window cleaning tech is $33,107 a year.
With experience or work in management, window cleaners can bring home much more. Owning your own window-cleaning business can also enable you to achieve higher compensation levels (in addition to giving you greater control over your working environment and customer base).
Not everyone wants to clean high-rise windows, however. There are a lot of windows around the world that should be cleaned, and most do not exist at 300 feet.
What is it like to be a window washer?
The work can be demanding and dangerous, but it is also thrilling and exhilarating. Window washers experience several occupational hazards, but not all of these trade encounters. The wind is one of the most significant hazards, and on an incredibly windy day, you might need to stop working and make plans to pick up your work later. Working outdoors and in the elements also means the possibility of sunburn, windburn, or exposure to associated hazards.
Cleaning windows from a height using platforms, scaffolding, or suspenders poses a risk of falling – through, generally, professional window-cleaning technicians are good at manoeuvring the size. Window cleaning technicians can expect to spend long hours on their feet, or suspended, off-building. For many, working high up in the air over a city or scaling skyscrapers represents a portion of the enjoyment and thrill of working in this field. It makes them glad to come to work each day.
If that part scares you, then maybe consider doing window washing jobs where they are slightly more on the ground.
Should I Start a Window Cleaning Business?
Working as a window cleaning service at your own business can provide additional flexibility and opportunities. It might be worth the try if you are self-starting and have the necessary skills to be a freelancer.
Service Skills: You will probably interact with customers regularly.
Office skills: Some administrative and clerical skills will help you keep up with customer contracts, invoices, scheduling, and other office tasks. The right field services software may be able to assist, but you still will need to have a solid understanding of the basics.
Marketing acumen: The ability to market your company will attract customers and give you what you need to scale up operations.
Management skills: As you grow, you may need to hire additional window washer and expand your operations.
Business skills: How well you can pull it all together in a functioning business will immediately affect your success. Professional window washing businesses, just like other businesses, take hard work, excellent skills, and sometimes even a little bit of luck.
Once you are ready to launch your business, you will want to put together a business plan and begin to get your first steps as a small business owner in place.
Clean-tech jobs are expected to grow by 10% from 2016-to 2026, so you have a lot of space to fill if that interests you. You can get started by finding a starting-level position. You do not necessarily need a college degree or certification, though there are opportunities for training and credentials, like the International Window Cleaning Associations Security Certificate program. By studying the field, you can set yourself apart from other job applicants and advance in your career more quickly and higher.
Training also serves as excellent preparation for starting your own window-cleaning business. If you are ready to get into the window cleaning field, begin doing more research and making plans. Or, simply begin applying to jobs in the window cleaning industry, and come in prepared to learn and work hard. Remember, opportunities are sky-high for window cleaning professionals who have the right skills and the right attitude.
