How To Become An Aircraft Cleaner: What It Is and Career Path

What is an aircraft cleaner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

An aircraft cleaner doesn't just walk around the cockpit and aircraft aisles with a vacuum in one hand and a duster in the other. If you're interested in aircraft, you'll quickly find that an aircraft cleaner is one of the most appreciated positions on the runway.

Aircraft cleaners keep the aircraft up to standard by maintaining the interior and exterior according to protocol. While they are responsible for keeping the cabin and cockpit cleaned and disinfected, they take care of washing the exterior, stocking the plane's materials, and even help the runway crew with baggage, utilities, and more. The aircraft cleaning team needs to have effective and clear communication in order to prepare the aircraft in a timely manner, keeping their job at a fast and effective pace.

Aircraft cleaners may be required to have a bachelor's degree or certification in some field of aircraft maintenance, but some positions may take applicants with a high school diploma/GED. Their primary focus will be on experience in a similar field. This is typically an hourly position earning, on average, $13 per hour.

ScoreAircraft CleanerUS Average

Salary

2.4

Avg. Salary $31,199

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.6

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.04%

Asian 4.27%

Black or African American 14.06%

Hispanic or Latino 18.53%

Unknown 5.41%

White 56.69%

Gender

female 47.91%

male 52.09%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress Level

6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

7.1

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.6

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an aircraft cleaner

Explore aircraft cleaner education requirements

Most common aircraft cleaner degrees

High School Diploma

57.9 %

Diploma

14.3 %

Associate

11.9 %

Start to develop specific aircraft cleaner skills

Skills	Percentages
Squeegees	16.92%
Safety Procedures	16.52%
Aircraft Cabin	11.16%
Clean Aircraft	8.31%
Restrooms	6.28%

Complete relevant aircraft cleaner training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New aircraft cleaners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an aircraft cleaner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real aircraft cleaner resumes.

Research aircraft cleaner duties and responsibilities

Clean cockpit, restrooms, tray tables, and change pillowcases and fold blankets.
Clean all seats, seat back pockets, tray tables and replace soil magazines.
Assist TSA with cabin inspections and security searches.
Clean stoves after kitchens are close and prepare for next shift

Prepare your aircraft cleaner resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your aircraft cleaner resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an aircraft cleaner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Aircraft Cleaner Resume templates

Build a professional Aircraft Cleaner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Aircraft Cleaner resume.

Apply for aircraft cleaner jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an aircraft cleaner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do aircraft cleaners rate their job?