Highest-Paying Custodian Jobs [2023]

Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of custodians that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of custodians:

• Maintenance Associate is the highest-paid type of custodian with an average salary of $35,101 and an average hourly rate of $16.88.

• The second highest-paying type of custodian is environmental services aide, with an average salary of $34,509.

• The average custodian salary is $30,176 per year, and the average hourly pay is $14.51.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a custodian, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of custodians are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of custodians:

1. Maintenance Associate

   Average Salary: $35,101

   A maintenance associate is responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities, as well as inspecting and repairing broken machines and defective equipment to avoid delays in the operations. Maintenance associates monitor the adequacy of inventories, especially in manufacturing settings, coordinating with suppliers and third-party vendors for distribution and delivery. They also report hazardous incidents to the management, resolve maintenance complaints, and suggest quality control strategies to prevent reoccurrence and improve operational structures.

2. Environmental Services Aide

   Average Salary: $34,509

   An environmental services aide is responsible for supporting the community programs and efforts for nature sustainability and assisting the citizens with their needs and concerns. Environmental services aides are also usually employed in health care centers to help patients and maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities. They monitor inventories, inspect tools and equipment, and adhere to safety standards and procedures. An environmental services aide must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in coordinating with other community organizations to provide quality services for the people.

3. Sanitation Worker

   Average Salary: $33,159

   A sanitation worker is employed to carry out valuable community tasks like garbage collection, hauling, and disposal. Sanitation workers take responsibility for the cleanliness and maintenance of the community. They ride or drive garbage trucks to collect trash from businesses and residents every day. They may work within companies as well following their respective corporate policies. One can become a sanitation worker if they have a college degree, high school degree, or any relevant job experience.

4. Lead Custodian

   Average Salary: $32,122

   A Lead Custodian supervises the custodian division to maintain cleanliness in the office, building, and property at a given time, typically in the morning and evening. They are the ones in charge of performing minor maintenance, furniture, and other office equipment. They also ensure that all assigned tasks to members are completed within the scheduled time and conducts an inventory of all the equipment and supplies. Also, they keep the security surveillance to protect the employees and staff.

5. Custodian/Substitute Custodian

   Average Salary: $30,974

   A custodian is primarily responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of a particular area, including preparing and setting-up equipment for public or private use. Although their duties depend on their area of assignment or industry of employment, those duties often include conducting routine maintenance checks on facilities, performing basic repairs, cleaning floors and windows, replacing fixtures, monitoring supply inventories, and ordering new supplies as necessary.

Below is a full table of the average pay for various custodian that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Custodians

Methodology

Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.

Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for custodians.

Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Custodian Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid custodian job?

   The highest-paid custodian job is a maintenance associate. Maintenance Associates earn an average salary of $35,101, which is $ 16.88 hourly.

   A maintenance associate is responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities, as well as inspecting and repairing broken machines and defective equipment to avoid delays in the operations. Maintenance associates monitor the adequacy of inventories, especially in manufacturing settings, coordinating with suppliers and third-party vendors for distribution and delivery. They also report hazardous incidents to the management, resolve maintenance complaints, and suggest quality control strategies to prevent reoccurrence and improve operational structures.

2. What is a good salary for a custodian?

   A good salary for a custodian is $30,176 or more. The average custodian salary is $30,176, so those making at least $30,176 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average custodian salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.

   In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a custodian, the average entry level salary is $23,664, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $30,176 average, as this includes all custodians of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Custodian jobs pay well?

   No, custodian jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some custodian jobs pay better than others, but the average custodian salary of $30,176 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many custodian jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of custodians earning $39,015 a year on average.

   Custodians’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a custodian. Do your research on the going rate for a custodian in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do custodians get paid the most?

   Custodians get paid the most in Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, custodians earn an average annual salary of $33,758 and an average hourly wage of $16.23.

   Following RI, the states with the highest-paid custodians are Michigan, Massachusetts, and Alaska, with average annual salaries of $29,601, $37,719, and $32,097 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid custodian salaries are:

   1. San Jose, CA – $38,293

   2. Boston, MA – $37,766

   3. Seattle, WA – $37,027

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.