Building cleaner vs custodian worker

The differences between building cleaners and custodian workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a custodian worker has an average salary of $28,309, which is higher than the $27,481 average annual salary of a building cleaner.

The top three skills for a building cleaner include polish furniture, clean bathrooms and cleanliness. The most important skills for a custodian worker are wax floors, cleanliness, and scrubbers.

Building cleaner vs custodian worker overview

	Building Cleaner	Custodian Worker
Yearly salary	$27,481	$28,309
Hourly rate	$13.21	$13.61
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	48,271	102,181
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 54%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	-	-

Building cleaner vs custodian worker salary

Building cleaners and custodian workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Building Cleaner	Custodian Worker
Average salary	$27,481	$28,309
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $35,000	Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	Minneapolis, MN	Schenectady, NY
Highest paying state	Washington	New York
Best paying company	Robbinsdale Area Schools	Idyllwild Arts
Best paying industry	Technology	Hospitality

Differences between building cleaner and custodian worker education

There are a few differences between a building cleaner and a custodian worker in terms of educational background:

	Building Cleaner	Custodian Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Building cleaner vs custodian worker demographics

Here are the differences between building cleaners' and custodian workers' demographics:

	Building Cleaner	Custodian Worker
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2%	Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 4.8% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.7% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between building cleaner and custodian worker duties and responsibilities

Building cleaner example responsibilities.

Maintain cleanliness of all floors in apartment building, sweeping and mopping.
Respond appropriately to the physical, emotional and developmental needs of patients.
Disinfect equipment and supplies, using germicides or steam-operate sterilizers.

Custodian worker example responsibilities.

Operate auto scrubbers, vacuums, and wet/dry extractors to mop, strip, wax, and buff floors.
Inspect assigned work locations to ensure cleanliness and organization.
Perform mechanical repairs and services to plumbing, electrical, mechanical systems and large rotating equipment including refrigeration systems.
Clean and disinfect lavatory areas including sinks, urinals and toilets using appropriate cleaning solutions.
Operate buffers and burnishers to strip, wax and buff floors and corridors in various facilities.

Building cleaner vs custodian worker skills

Common building cleaner skills

Polish Furniture, 14%
Clean Bathrooms, 13%
Cleanliness, 13%
Clean Windows, 11%
Hot Water, 7%
Bathroom Fixtures, 7%

Common custodian worker skills

WAX Floors, 15%
Cleanliness, 11%
Scrubbers, 8%
Window Sills, 6%
Class Rooms, 6%
Taking Care, 5%

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Building and Grounds Maintenance Industry
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Building Cleaner vs Custodian Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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