A hotel houseman takes care of common areas in a hotel, such as the lobby, restrooms and pool area. Each hotel follow its own housekeeping guidelines and standards, which may depend on whether it's part of a large chain or a boutique inn. As part of the housekeeping staff, a houseman must be detail-oriented, have good customer service skills, be able to lift heavy items and understand cleaning basics.

Daily Duties

The hotel houseman provides housekeepers with the items needed to clean guest rooms and helps stock the carts. He is also responsible for more labor-intensive tasks, such a flipping mattresses, hanging pictures and moving furniture or debris. He works closely with hotel supervisors to ensure that all room accessories and electronics are in working order. It's also the houseman's responsibility to comply with security regulations, restock the housekeeping shelves, and make sure that outside areas, like patios and pool areas, are kept clean, tidy and in working order.

Other Expectations

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, housekeepers held 1.4 million jobs in 2012. They are part- or full-time employees with weekend, holiday, late-night and around-the-clock shifts in larger hotels. Depending on the size of the hotel, a houseman is also responsible for helping guests with requests and concerns, and delivering heavier items, such as a rollaway bed, ironing board and crib. The houseman is also expected to help clean common places, such as hallways and sitting areas; remove trash from the grounds; shovel snow from walkways; and ensure that all keys work.

Salary Range

The median annual wage for housekeeping positions was $19,570 in May 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Two years later, Indeed reported a slight increase to about $21,000 a year. There generally is no education requirement for this occupation, and housemen are typically trained on the job. Workers may be paid hourly or earn a salary, depending on the hotel and hours worked.

Job Outlook

The majority of jobs in the hotel industry from 2012 to 2022 will go to service workers such as hotel housemen, states the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry is expected to grow 13 percent in this time, which is favorable for those workers who have hotel or service-oriented experience.