Cleaner vs custodian worker

The differences between 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 $28,075 average annual salary of a cleaner.

The top three skills for a cleaner include commercial cleaning, building floors and ventilation. The most important skills for a custodian worker are wax floors, cleanliness, and scrubbers.

Cleaner vs custodian worker overview

	Cleaner	Custodian Worker
Yearly salary	$28,075	$28,309
Hourly rate	$13.50	$13.61
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	74,355	102,181
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 54%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	-	-

Cleaner vs custodian worker salary

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

	Cleaner	Custodian Worker
Average salary	$28,075	$28,309
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $36,000	Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Schenectady, NY
Highest paying state	Washington	New York
Best paying company	Columbia University in the City of New York	Idyllwild Arts
Best paying industry	Education	Hospitality

Differences between cleaner and custodian worker education

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

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

Cleaner vs custodian worker demographics

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

	Cleaner	Custodian Worker
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 49.7% Female, 50.3%	Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 59.6% 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 cleaner and custodian worker duties and responsibilities

Cleaner example responsibilities.

Operate a forklift for logistic, to manage and relocate BMW's fixture material.
Remove snow from sidewalks, using snow blowers, and/or snow shovels, and spread snow melting chemicals.
Use of various equipment used for methods of cleaning areas in the school such sweepers and snow blowers.
Maintain church building and grounds by handling general maintenance including electrical and plumbing and providing custodial services
Complete weekly order for PPE.
Clean Toyota after trucks build.

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.

Cleaner vs custodian worker skills

Common cleaner skills

Commercial Cleaning, 8%
Building Floors, 8%
Ventilation, 8%
Cleanliness, 7%
Customer Service, 7%
Work Ethic, 6%

Common custodian worker skills

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

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Cleaner vs Custodian Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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