What Does a Vehicle Cleaner Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a vehicle cleaner do?

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment wash or otherwise clean vehicles, machinery and other equipment. The median pay is $35,830 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days on the job, and employment is projected to grow +3.9% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$35,830
$17.23/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+3.9%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
51,500
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
BLS classification
Time to train
A few days on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
419,500
Employment, 2025

What vehicle cleaners do

Vehicle cleaners make vehicles shine. They wash and detail cars at dealerships and car washes, clean buses and trucks for fleets, vacuum interiors, polish paint and clean heavy equipment.

No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects about average growth.

Typical duties

Wash vehicles
Vacuum interiors
Clean windows
Polish paint
Detail interiors
Clean equipment
Inspect results

Work environment and schedule

Cleaners work at car washes, dealerships, fleet yards and mobile detailing businesses.

Schedule: Full or part time, including weekends.

A day in the life

8:00 AMSet up the wash bay.
8:30 AMWash a new car for delivery.
10:00 AMVacuum and shampoo seats.
12:00 PMLunch.

See a full day in the life of a vehicle cleaner →

Vehicle Cleaner salary

Half of vehicle cleaners earned more than $35,830 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $27,380 for the lowest 10% to $47,610 for the top 10%.

$27,38010th$35,830Median$47,61090th

Full vehicle cleaner pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a vehicle cleaner

Apply to a car wash or dealer
Learn washing
Learn detailing
Build a portfolio
Advance

No formal educational credential is required.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a vehicle cleaner →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Washing
Detailing
Polishing
Interior cleaning
Chemical use

People skills

Attention to detail
Reliability
Speed
Pride in work

All vehicle cleaner skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Short training
Visible results
Can start a mobile business
Active work

Cons

Wet work
Chemicals
Weather
Low pay

Certifications and licenses

IDA detailing certification: International Detailing Association.
Chemical safety training: Employer.
Driver’s license: Often required.
Business license: For mobile detailers.

Career path

Washer: Entry.
Detailer: Detail.
Lead Detailer: Lead.
Business Owner: Run a business.

Learn the job before day one

Our Vehicle Cleaner training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as wash a car without scratching it and detail a car interior, safety and how to land your first job.

View Vehicle Cleaner training Is this career right for me?

Auto Body Technician

Repair and restore vehicles after collisions, from dents and frames to paint.

$54,890
6 months–2 years

Parking Attendant

Park cars, collect fees and help drivers at lots, garages and hotels.

$35,150
A few days on the job

Janitor

Clean and maintain schools, offices, hospitals and buildings.

$36,840
A few days on the job

Gas Station Attendant

Pump fuel, check fluids and do quick vehicle and boat services.

$35,670
A few days on the job

Compare: Vehicle Cleaner vs. Auto Body Tech · Vehicle Cleaner vs. Parking Attendant · Vehicle Cleaner vs. Janitor · Vehicle Cleaner vs. Gas Station Attendant

Vehicle Cleaner FAQ

Do I need experience?

No.

Can I start my own business?

Yes, many mobile detailers do.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects about average growth.

How much does a vehicle cleaner make?

The median annual wage for vehicle cleaners was $35,830 ($17.23 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $27,380 and the highest 10% earned more than $47,610.

How long does it take to become a vehicle cleaner?

Most people need about A few days on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.

Do you need a degree to be a vehicle cleaner?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-7061 (Cleaners of vehicles and equipment).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Cleaners of vehicles and equipment (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Vehicle Cleaner