Cleaning and maintenance worker vs custodian worker

The differences between cleaning and maintenance workers 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 $26,619 average annual salary of a cleaning and maintenance worker.

The top three skills for a cleaning and maintenance worker include building floors, plumbing and clean windows. The most important skills for a custodian worker are wax floors, cleanliness, and scrubbers.

Cleaning and maintenance worker vs custodian worker overview

	Cleaning And Maintenance Worker	Custodian Worker
Yearly salary	$26,619	$28,309
Hourly rate	$12.80	$13.61
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	155,040	102,181
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 54%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	-	-

Cleaning and maintenance worker vs custodian worker salary

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

	Cleaning And Maintenance Worker	Custodian Worker
Average salary	$26,619	$28,309
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $33,000	Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	Springfield, MA	Schenectady, NY
Highest paying state	Connecticut	New York
Best paying company	House of Blues	Idyllwild Arts
Best paying industry	Technology	Hospitality

Differences between cleaning and maintenance worker and custodian worker education

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

	Cleaning And Maintenance Worker	Custodian Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cleaning and maintenance worker vs custodian worker demographics

Here are the differences between cleaning and maintenance workers' and custodian workers' demographics:

	Cleaning And Maintenance Worker	Custodian Worker
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 59.8% Female, 40.2%	Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 4.7% White, 59.2% 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 cleaning and maintenance worker and custodian worker duties and responsibilities

Cleaning and maintenance worker example responsibilities.

Assist with light building repairs, maintain building cleanliness, strip and wax floors, order and manage supplies.
Perform emergencies work requests, schedule and unschedule maintenance program, emergencies and coordinate special projects as directed.
Operate buffers and burnishers to strip, wax and buff floors and corridors in various facilities.

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.

Cleaning and maintenance worker vs custodian worker skills

Common cleaning and maintenance worker skills

Building Floors, 22%
Plumbing, 14%
Clean Windows, 8%
Bathroom Fixtures, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Safety Hazards, 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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Cleaning And Maintenance Worker vs Custodian Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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