Highest-Paying Custodian Jobs in 2026
Research Summary: The Zippia data team has compiled average salary estimates for custodian positions across the United States using a blend of governmental data and insights from thousands of job postings. This analysis highlights the highest-paying custodian roles based on their average annual salaries.
Below is a summary of our findings regarding the most lucrative custodian positions:
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The highest-paid custodian role is that of a Maintenance Associate, with an average salary of $35,101 and an hourly rate of $16.88.
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Next in line is the Environmental Services Aide, earning an average salary of $34,509.
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The overall average custodian salary stands at $30,176 per year, equating to an hourly pay of $14.51.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be a challenge. While salary is an important consideration, it shouldn’t be the sole factor in your decision-making process. If you are aspiring to work as a custodian, understanding which roles offer the highest pay can assist you in planning your career trajectory.
Here are the top salaries for various custodian roles:
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Maintenance Associate
Average Salary: $35,101
A Maintenance Associate is tasked with maintaining cleanliness and order in facilities, while also inspecting and repairing malfunctioning machines and equipment to prevent operational delays. They oversee inventory levels, particularly in manufacturing contexts, and coordinate with suppliers for timely delivery. Additionally, they are responsible for reporting hazards and suggesting quality control measures to improve operations.
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Environmental Services Aide
Average Salary: $34,509
An Environmental Services Aide supports community sustainability efforts and assists the public with their needs. Typically employed in healthcare facilities, they ensure cleanliness and safety standards are upheld. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential for coordinating with various organizations to deliver quality services.
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Sanitation Worker
Average Salary: $33,159
A Sanitation Worker plays a crucial role in community cleanliness through garbage collection and disposal. They operate garbage trucks to collect waste from both businesses and residences. This role can be accessible to individuals with varying educational backgrounds or relevant experience.
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Lead Custodian
Average Salary: $32,122
A Lead Custodian supervises the custodial staff to ensure cleanliness and maintenance of the premises. They perform minor maintenance tasks and ensure that all assignments are completed timely, along with managing inventory of supplies and equipment.
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Custodian/Substitute Custodian
Average Salary: $30,974
A Custodian is primarily responsible for maintaining cleanliness in assigned areas and preparing facilities for use. Duties may include routine maintenance checks, basic repairs, cleaning tasks, and inventory management.
Below is a comprehensive table listing the average salaries of various custodian roles, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Custodians
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maintenance Associate | |
| 2 | Environmental Services Aide | |
| 3 | Sanitation Worker | |
| 4 | Lead Custodian | |
| 5 | Custodian/Substitute Custodian | |
| 6 | Janitorial Services Supervisor | |
| 7 | Housekeeping Aide | |
| 8 | Porter | |
| 9 | Floor Technician | |
| 10 | Day Porter | |
| 11 | Service Cleaner | |
| 12 | Custodian Worker | |
| 13 | Cleaning Crew Member | |
| 14 | Cleaner | |
| 15 | Janitor | |
| 16 | Office Cleaner | |
| 17 | Professional Cleaner | |
| 18 | General Cleaner | |
| 19 | Cleaning And Maintenance Worker | |
| 20 | Janitorial Maintenance Worker |
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to derive its salary estimates.
The data science team also reviews job postings and company resources for updated salary information for custodial positions.
After gathering the data, they calculate a weighted average for each job title. For further details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
FAQs on Highest-Paying Custodian Jobs
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What is the highest-paid custodian job?
The highest-paid custodian job is a Maintenance Associate. Maintenance Associates have an average salary of $35,101, which translates to an hourly rate of $16.88.
Maintenance Associates are responsible for maintaining cleanliness and order in facilities, inspecting and repairing broken machines, and ensuring operational efficiency. They also manage inventories and coordinate with suppliers for deliveries.
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What is a good salary for a custodian?
A good salary for a custodian is $30,176 or more. This figure represents the average salary, indicating those earning at least this amount are above the average pay scale.
However, salaries can vary significantly based on location and experience, so it’s wise to research local averages to assess your compensation accurately.
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Do custodian jobs pay well?
Custodian jobs generally do not pay as well as some other professions. The average custodian salary of $30,176 is lower than the average national salary, which is around $44,225. However, many custodial jobs offer high earning potential, particularly for experienced workers.
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Where do custodians get paid the most?
Custodians earn the highest salaries in Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, custodians average about $33,758 annually, with an hourly wage of $16.23.
Following Rhode Island, states like Michigan, Massachusetts, and Alaska also offer competitive salaries for custodians.
The cities with the highest custodian salaries include:
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San Jose, CA – $38,293
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Boston, MA – $37,766
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Seattle, WA – $37,027
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Author
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.
