Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
Transportation and Material Moving
Vehicles, machines, and other equipment are washed with water, cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, and hoses. Surfaces are rinsed and dried on racks or with cloths, squeegees, or air compressors, and windows are cleaned and polished. Paints, dyes, polishes, waxes, or masking materials may be applied to protect or restore finish, and parts or vehicles are scrubbed, scraped, or sprayed, then checked for cleanliness, damage, and whether they meet standards. The work can include mixing solutions to formula, tracking supply inventories, and driving vehicles to a workshop or to a customer's workplace or home. Works well for people who prefer thorough, hands-on cleaning and checking finished work against a clear standard.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$35'830
Median Wage Market Position
$35'830
What you might do
- Scrub, scrape, or spray vehicles and machines
- Rinse surfaces and dry them with cloths
- Clean and polish vehicle windows
- Apply wax, polish, or paint to vehicles
- Mix cleaning solutions from set formulas
- Check vehicles and parts for dirt or damage
Skills that matter
- Running wash hoses and air compressors
- Inspect washed vehicles for leftover dirt
- Watch for damage while you clean
- Track cleaning supplies and finished vehicles
- Time wash jobs and vehicle drop-offs
- Explain vehicle condition to customers
AI & the future of this role
Rinse bays and basic wash cycles can automate some high-volume cleaning. Varied vehicles, stubborn grime, and hands-on detailing still favor people who work with tools on the spot.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details