How much does a vehicle cleaner make?

In the United States, experience and skill matter: detailers who polish or wax may do more specialized work than beginners. Pay also differs by employer and location; training or credentials an employer values can help, and extra hours or shift premiums can change total earnings.

Wash or otherwise clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. Use such materials as water, cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, and hoses. Excludes “Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners” (37-2011).

What's a typical day like?

They rinse and scrub a vehicle with soap, clean the windows, then dry and polish it. They may vacuum inside, wax the paint, and check for missed dirt or damage.

Apply for an entry-level wash or detailing job; employers teach you the tools, and some want a high-school diploma or GED. In the U.S., federal rules generally allow work from age 14, but under-16 workers face task and hour limits, and state rules may be stricter.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

Some vehicle cleaners use paintbrushes to clean plastic parts inside cars—much more detailed than just spraying a car with a hose.