Career outlook for car valet
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£19,760
Currently employed in Scotland
3,500
Five year job forecast
+5.58%
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures.
What's it like?
You would make sure that people’s cars are clean inside and out so they look as good as new.
You’d use high-pressured hoses to wash the outside of the car and polish the metalwork with special waxes to make it shiny.
You would:
- Wash down the outside of the car to remove dirt and mud
- Polish the windows, wheels, door handles and mirrors
- Vacuum and shampoo the seats and carpets
- Wax and polish the surfaces
- Apply gels and other finishes to bumpers and trims
- Steam-clean the engine, frame and wheel arches
You might need to collect vehicles and deliver them back to the owners when they have been cleaned.
You could be based in one place or work from a mobile unit which contains water, a generator, a power washer and wet/dry vacuum cleaner.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
66%
Part-time
19%
Self employed
15%
Top skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Persevering
- Cooperating
- Respecting
- Attention to detail
- Concentrating
- Managing resources
- Time management
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need.
Qualifications
No formal qualifications are required though most employers value a good general education.
Useful subjects
- English
- Maths
Enterprise and business subjects can also be useful if you are considering self employment.
Helpful to have
Qualifications that demonstrate your employability, skills with cars, customer and/or cleaning such as
- SQA Employability Award (SCQF level 3/4)
- Enterprise & Employability (SCQF level 4/5).
Once in work you can also join the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS) Car Valeting Certificate Scheme.