ENTRY-LEVEL CAREER
KITCHEN EXHAUST CLEANING TECHNICIAN.
The person on the end of the pressure-washer wand. Cleans commercial hoods to NFPA 96 spec overnight, documents the job, and applies the inspection sticker. Mostly physical, mostly overnight, and the gateway role for every other job on this list.
$20–$32 / hour; $45k–$68k annual with overtime and overnight differential
PATHWAY
How to get in
Four steps, in order. Skipping steps is possible but rarely recommended — every shortcut costs you on the back end.
- 1
Get hired as a crew helper
No certification required to start. Apply at local hood cleaning companies or respond to HOODZ / Hood Cleaning Pros / PowerVac postings. Pay starts near $18/hr.
- 2
Complete OSHA 10 + field training
First 90 days: learn containment, chemical mixing, access-panel removal, and documentation. Most reputable shops cover OSHA 10 after you stick.
- 3
Earn CECS within 12–18 months
Once you have a year of field time, sit the CECS exam. This is the moment your pay ceiling jumps from $22/hr to $28–$32/hr — and you become a credible lead tech.
- 4
Take on lead-tech or foreman role
Lead tech runs the rig, signs the sticker, and deals with the restaurant GM. Foreman runs multiple crews a night. Foreman pay in major metros hits $75–$95k with overtime.
DAY IN THE LIFE
What the job actually looks like
- 8:30 PM — arrive at restaurant after close; walk the kitchen with the closing manager
- 9:00 PM — lay containment, remove hood filters, tag out cooking equipment
- 9:30 PM — apply degreaser, let it dwell 20 minutes while you set up the rooftop rig
- 10:00 PM — pressure-wash hood interior, vertical duct, and fan housing; reassemble
- 12:30 AM — photo-document, apply NFPA 96 sticker, walk-through with the manager, sign off
- 1:00 AM — pack out, drive to next job or back to shop
PROS & CONS
Honest trade-offs
What you'll like
- Tangible skill — you can see the 'before' and 'after' every single night
- Low-drama work environment (empty restaurants at 1am)
- Overnight differential means real pay for hourly work
- Clear promotion path: helper → tech → lead → foreman → owner
What you won't
- Physical. You will climb ladders with 5-gallon pails
- Overnight schedule — not compatible with a 9-to-5 household
- Caustic chemicals require discipline on PPE
CREDENTIALS THAT MATTER
Certifications for this path
IKECA
IKECA Certified Exhaust Cleaning Specialist (CECS)
The most widely recognized hood cleaning certification in North America. CECS proves you understand NFPA 96, safe chemical use, containment, and documentation.
OSHA-authorized trainer
OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety
Basic jobsite safety card. Every tech should have one. Many commercial property managers now require OSHA 10 before a vendor sets foot on site.
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GEAR
Equipment used in this role
4,000 PSI / 4 GPM Gas Pressure Washer
Entry-level cold-water rig with a Honda GX390 or equivalent. Enough pressure to strip an average hood if you pair it with a strong degreaser.
Caustic-Rated PPE Kit (per tech)
Tyvek CHF suit, nitrile-over-neoprene gauntlet gloves, full-face splash goggles, P100 half-mask respirator, steel-toe rubber boots.
ADJACENT CAREERS
Where this path leads
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