Homemaker vs. Housekeeper: What Are the Differences?

Homemakers and housekeepers are both responsible for keeping a household clean and organized. However, there are several key differences between these two roles. Homemakers typically have more responsibilities beyond cleaning, such as cooking and caring for children. Housekeepers are usually employed by someone to clean their home on a regular basis. If you’re considering a career as a homemaker or housekeeper, this article will provide more information on the duties, skills and qualifications required for each role.

What is a Homemaker?

A homemaker is a person who manages the household of a family or single person. They are responsible for the day-to-day running of the household, including cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, paying bills and taking care of any children or pets. A homemaker may also be responsible for budgeting and managing the family finances, as well as coordinating schedules and activities. In some cases, a homemaker may also provide personal care or nursing services to elderly or disabled family members.

What is a Housekeeper?

Housekeepers are responsible for cleaning and maintaining homes and apartments. They may work for individual families or for companies that provide housekeeping services. Housekeepers typically perform a variety of tasks, such as vacuuming, dusting, mopping, and cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. They may also do laundry, ironing, and grocery shopping for their clients. Some housekeepers may also provide child care or pet care services.

Homemaker vs. Housekeeper

Here are the main differences between a homemaker and a housekeeper.

Job Duties

Both housekeepers and homemakers can perform basic cleaning duties, such as vacuuming, dusting and scrubbing floors. However, a homemaker may have additional responsibilities, such as laundry, meal preparation and doing routine doctor visits for elderly family members or children. In contrast, housekeepers typically focus only on the cleaning aspect of household care. Housekeepers also tend to work in commercial settings more often than homemakers. They may clean hotel rooms, offices or medical facilities.

Job Requirements

There are no formal education requirements for homemakers or housekeepers, but some may choose to pursue a high school diploma or equivalent. Many of these professionals learn through on-the-job training, though some may receive certification from professional organizations, such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or the American Institute of Architects (AIA). These certifications can demonstrate a homemaker’s or housekeeper’s commitment to their profession and highlight their skills to potential employers.

Work Environment

Housekeepers and homemakers can work in different environments depending on the needs of their clients. Housekeepers often work for families or individuals who live in homes, apartments or condos. They may travel to these locations daily or weekly to clean them. Homemakers typically work for older adults or people with disabilities who need assistance living independently. These professionals usually work from home, but they may visit their clients’ homes regularly to provide care.

Skills

Both homemakers and housekeepers perform many of the same tasks, such as cooking, cleaning and laundry. However, there are some key differences in the skills they use on the job.

Homemakers typically need to have excellent time management skills to juggle all of their responsibilities, including taking care of children, managing the household budget and keeping the home clean. They also need to be organized so that they can maintain a tidy home and keep track of everything that needs to be done. Housekeepers, on the other hand, may not need to be as organized because they typically only have one employer and do not have to juggle as many responsibilities.

Housekeepers also need to have strong cleaning skills so that they can complete their tasks quickly and efficiently. They should know how to use different cleaning products and equipment and understand the best methods for cleaning various surfaces. Homemakers may not need to have as strong of cleaning skills because they are not responsible for cleaning homes as a profession.

Salary

The average salary for a homemaker is $27,276 per year. The average salary for a housekeeper is $31,038 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the type of work you’re doing, your location and your experience level.