The Ultimate Guide to Aircraft Cleaner Salary

Aircraft are our gateways to adventure. And these gateways record high traffic volume. Increased traffic volume means more dirt. It's the support services, more specifically aircraft cleaners, who ensure that the airplanes look spic and span. This detailed blog gives a breakdown of aircraft cleaner salary, including aircraft cabin cleaners salary.

When a flyer walks in, they judge your ability to keep them safe and secure. It is up to you to create an immaculate environment. This is why aircraft cabin cleaner pay varies from region to region. Let's look into it in detail.

Aircraft Cleaner Salary and Qualifications

United States

Salary: Aircraft cabin cleaner pay in the United States varies depending on the location. But the average can be placed at about $87,314. Location plays a big part. For instance, an airplane cleaner salary in Dallas, Texas, is around $20.61 per hour, while the same in Arizona Phoenix is around $15.72 per hour.

Qualification: The qualification to become an aircraft cleaner is quite simple. One needs a high school diploma and security clearance. Authorities will also check your background and identity. While formal qualifications are standard, employers value communication skills in this job.

United Kingdom

Salary: As is the case in the US, location makes a huge difference in aircraft cleaner pay in the United Kingdom. But the average salary can be placed around £18,579 ($23420) per year. If we look at some of the locations, then an airplane cleaner salary is around £14.48–£15.73 ($18.25-$19.83) per hour in Gatwick, £13.15 ($16.58) per hour in Central London, and £11.60 ($14.62) per hour in Carlisle. In the UK, aircraft cleaners also receive a night premium during their night shift.

Qualification: In the UK, the qualifications for this job remain standard. You need a high school diploma and pass the security clearance. While most airplanes have no specific qualification for this job, some may value prior cleaning experience or certificates like a City & Guilds Level 1 or 2 in Cleaning and Support Services. Even if you don't possess one, you don't have to worry. Once you secure a job, airlines usually provide on-the-job training.

India

Salary: Aircraft cabin cleaner pay in India is impacted based on the location and experience. Cities like Kolkata offer slightly lower pay compared to cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru. The average can be around ₹21,787 ($251.46) per month.

Qualification: There is no specific qualification required to become an aircraft cleaner in India. As is the case with other countries, a high school diploma is enough. An identity check is mandatory, including a background check. Most airlines have a training program to help candidates understand interior and exterior cleaning techniques, proper chemical usage, and waste disposal. Airlines also place a value on basic proficiency in English and one local language.

Australia

Salary: Aircraft cabin cleaner salary in Australia varies depending on factors like experience and location. But the median salary is AUD22 ($14.02) per hour.

Qualification: No formal qualification is required to become an aircraft cleaner in Australia. Basic training is usually provided by employers, which includes safety protocol and cleaning techniques for different aircraft types. Additionally, airlines require a police check from candidates. Other criteria like the ability to perform under pressure, a keen eye for small details, and overall physical fitness are valued by potential employers.

Germany

Salary: In Germany, aircraft cleaner pay ranges from €27,963 ($29167.62) per year for 1-3 years of experience to €31,677 ($33041.62) for experience of 8+ years.

Qualification: Besides a high school diploma, German employers value physical fitness, willingness to work shifts, and proficiency in German and English.

UAE

Salary: Aircraft cleaner pay in UAE falls in the range of AED 2,000 to AED 7,500 ($544.52-$2041.94). The exact number varies depending on the level of experience an aircraft cleaner has.

Qualification: As with other countries mentioned above, a high school diploma is a mandatory qualification. Besides this, employers require background verification and identity check. On-the-job training is usually provided for candidates to have a thorough understanding of cabin cleaning and critical scenarios that might occur while on the job.

Malaysia

Salary: Depending on the candidate's education and experience, aircraft cabin cleaner pay in Malaysia ranges from MYR 1,700 to MYR 2,500 ($382.23-$562.10) per month.

Qualification: In addition to a high school diploma, candidates must pass the security check and background verification. To handle specific tasks on the job, employers provide a training module that includes all the cleaning procedures and security protocols. Physical fitness is valued since the job can be physically tiring on some days.

Canada

Salary: Aircraft cabin cleaner salary varies depending on the location. For instance, aircraft cleaner jobs in Alberta pay around CAD 61,836 ($43490.50) annually. In British Columbia, it stands at CAD 58,182 ($40920.56) per year. The average airplane cleaner salary is between CAD 31,824 ($22382.46) and CAD 40,276 ($28326.92) annually.

Qualification: A driver's license, security clearance, and a high school diploma are required to become an aircraft cleaner in Canada. Employers might also want you to have some experience in operating baggage-handling equipment. For everything else, aircraft cleaners go through on-the-job training.

What does an Aircraft Cleaner do?

Aircraft cleaners have a varied list of tasks to handle on a day-to-day basis. They are primarily responsible for maintaining cleanliness and top-notch hygiene standards in aircraft cabins between flights. Their duties and responsibilities are as follows:

Vacuuming, mopping, and dusting the aircraft cabin
Restocking all the amenities and refreshments
Cleaning the laboratories, galley, and other areas of the aircraft cabin
Carrying our regular checks of the cabin to ensure nothing is amiss
Assisting in loading and unloading customer baggage
Monitoring maintenance protocols and reporting any discrepancies to the airline team
Ensuring that the cleaning and hygiene standards adhere to the company policies
Perform any other duty that is assigned by the production manager

Aircraft Cleaner: Key Skills

There is a lot that goes into ensuring that airlines provide a stellar experience to their customers. The cleanliness, hygiene, and safety of aircraft cabins play a big part in leaving a good impression in the minds of the customers. Aircraft cleaners play a crucial role here.

Aircraft cleaner jobs are in high demand across the world. With more and more airports opening to handle the influx of passengers, this trend will only see an upward tick. We have already mentioned the standard qualifications that aspiring candidates require to enter the field. Besides that, there are some key skills that can go a long way in securing a high aircraft cabin cleaner pay.

An eye for detail: Aircraft cleaners should be able to see what is amiss and fix the small issues quickly.
Physical stamina: Considering that the job will have some long hours at a time, aircraft cleaners are expected to be physically fit.
Time management: Cleaning cabins in between flights or ensuring that the baggage is loaded and unloaded in a timely fashion requires an aircraft cleaner to prioritize critical tasks and meet deadlines.
Safety protocols: While safety protocols are taught during on-site training, it is the duty of the aircraft cleaner to ensure and remember the guidelines.
Teamwork: Working in a team is an important part of aircraft cleaning. The ability to communicate with colleagues and clients ensures that the tasks are completed on time.
Flexibility: At times, aircraft cleaners might be required to work on a Sunday or give in a couple of extra hours. The ability to adapt to changing schedules and tasks is an important skill here.

All the above skills are helpful when looking at promotions and higher aircraft cleaner pay.

Enjoying the article?

Aircraft Cleaner Interview Questions

A higher aircraft cleaner salary depends on how well you can answer the interview question. Here are the top 5 questions interviewers generally ask when interviewing a candidate for this position.

Are you familiar with regulations for the use of cleaning chemicals in aircraft?

To ace the question, mention a few specific regulations of the country and explain how you will handle chemicals to comply with them.

Describe a situation where you were tasked with handling a safety hazard.

This question is designed to test your attention to detail. Mention a specific incident to ace it.

What type of products have you used in your prior job?

The interviewer wants to know your familiarity with the products and specific use cases.

Do you have experience in working in a high-security area?

Questions like this gauge how well you can follow security protocols by airline and airport authorities.

How do you ensure that your teammates can meet their deadlines?

This question helps employers understand your ability to manage and coordinate within teams.

Conclusion

There is so much more to being an aircraft cleaner than just the day-to-day maintenance of cleanliness. And the job demands various skills to ace the field. If you are sure you have what it takes, start applying now. Your dream job might be just a click away!

Aircraft Cleaner: Salary Guide