Cleaning consultant

What does a cleaning consultant do? – Tasks and work environment

A cleaning consultant works with planning, leading, and quality assurance of cleaning assignments across various environments such as offices, schools, hospitals, and industries. Tasks often include analyzing client needs, designing cleaning schedules, instructing and training cleaning staff, and following up and reporting results to clients. The role also involves handling material procurement, work environment issues, and sometimes budget responsibilities. The work environment can vary between office work and on-site tasks, requiring flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to new environments and tasks.

Salary development over time

Salary levels for cleaning consultants have shown a relatively stable trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,900 SEK per month, increasing to 33 500 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has slightly decreased to 33 200 SEK, representing a total increase of approximately 4% over the three-year period. The temporary dip in the past year can be explained by increased competition for positions, some economic slowdown, and more younger and newly trained individuals being employed in the profession. Despite fluctuations, demand for qualified cleaning consultants remains high, especially in the public sector and larger companies where quality and documentation requirements are increasing.

Cleaning consultant salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 33 200 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 31,200 SEK/month (female, private sector employee, post-secondary education 3+ years)
• Highest salary: 38,000 SEK/month (male, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
• Hourly wage: 200 SEK/hour (average, hourly employee)
• Gender differences: Men 36 400 SEK, women 32,500 SEK (women earn 89% of men's salary)
• Regional differences: Highest salaries in regional sector, lower among private sector employees

Education and qualifications

To work as a cleaning consultant, a high school education is usually required, preferably with a focus on service, administration, or work management. Many supplement with short post-secondary courses in cleaning technology, work environment, and leadership. Practical experience from the cleaning industry is often a valuable merit, and some employers offer internal training or trainee programs to ensure the right competence.

• High school education: Service program or equivalent (3 years)
• Shorter post-secondary courses: Cleaning technology, work environment (up to 1 year)
• Certifications: Cleaning management training, SRY certification
• Internship: Practical experience from similar roles is highly valued
• Further training: Internal courses and digital training are common

Common benefits and compensations

Cleaning consultants are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, and compensation for unsocial hours. Other common benefits include work clothes, mobile phones, training grants, and sometimes bonuses linked to projects or quality targets. Some employers also offer flexible working hours or remote work options for administrative tasks.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a cleaning consultant is moderate but increasing as more see opportunities for career development in the field. Challenges include meeting high expectations for quality and efficiency, leading and motivating staff, and managing rapid changes in customer needs. Digitalization and increased demands for environmentally friendly solutions require higher competence development. Additionally, workload can be high at times, especially during larger assignments or staff shortages.

Tips for aspiring cleaning consultants

To succeed as a cleaning consultant, good organizational skills and an eye for detail are important, as planning and quality control are central parts of the work. Initiative and flexibility are key traits, as assignments and work environments can change quickly. Clear and professional leadership facilitates guiding and motivating the cleaning team. Being service-minded and communicative helps in contact with both clients and staff. Finally, a willingness to continuously further educate oneself, especially in digital tools and environmentally friendly work methods, can give a competitive edge in the profession.

Key facts about cleaning consultants

• Salary range: 31,200–38,000 SEK/month
• Education level: High school or equivalent, supplemented with courses
• Work environment: Varies between office and client premises
• Demand: 123 available jobs according to current statistics
• Gender salary gap: Women 89% of men's salary

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a cleaning consultant, opportunities exist to advance to roles such as work supervisor, site manager, or area manager within larger companies and organizations. Some choose to specialize in environmental certification, quality management, or training of cleaning staff. According to the Employment Service's forecasts, the future outlook for cleaning consultants is positive due to increased demand for professional cleaning expertise, especially in the public sector and companies with high quality standards. The number of available positions is expected to remain stable, although competition for the most attractive roles may increase as more people enter the profession.

Frequently asked questions about cleaning consultants

• What does a cleaning consultant earn?
  - The average salary for a cleaning consultant is 33 200 SEK per month, with a range between 31,200 SEK and 38,000 SEK.
• What education is required to become a cleaning consultant?
  - High school education with a focus on service or administration is most common, supplemented with courses in cleaning technology and work management.
• Are there salary differences between men and women?
  - Yes, men earn an average of 36 400 SEK while women have an average salary of 32,500 SEK, meaning women earn 89% of men's salaries.
• What are the future prospects for cleaning consultants?
  - The outlook is good, with 123 available jobs in the profession and stable demand according to the Employment Service.
• What career opportunities are available within the profession?
  - It is common to advance to roles such as work supervisor, site manager, or to specialize in quality management and training.
• What benefits are common for cleaning consultants?
  - Collective agreements, occupational pension, wellness allowance, compensation for unsocial hours, and opportunities for further training are often offered.
• What is the work environment like for cleaning consultants?
  - The work environment varies between office work and on-site tasks, requiring flexibility and good teamwork skills.