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Cleaning team member vs custodian

The differences between cleaning team members and custodians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a custodian has an average salary of $30,176, which is higher than the $27,848 average annual salary of a cleaning team member.

The top three skills for a cleaning team member include cleanliness, safety standards and equipment issues. The most important skills for a custodian are cleanliness, work ethic, and customer service.

Cleaning team member vs custodian overview

Cleaning Team MemberCustodian
Yearly salary$27,848$30,176
Hourly rate$13.39$14.51
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs199,88847,364
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 48%
Average age4949
Years of experience--

What does a cleaning team member do?

A cleaning team member is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of a particular area or space by performing moderate to heavy chores. Often working under the directives and supervision of a manager, a cleaning team member's tasks may revolve around sweeping floors, wiping windows, handling the laundry, washing and sanitizing dishes, and replenishing supplies such as toilet papers and soap. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with the team, reporting to the leader or manager should there be any problems or concerns.

What does a custodian do?

A custodian, also referred to as janitor, is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and helping protect all facilities. Custodians make sure everything is clean, neat, in order, and free from clutter and safe. They perform routine maintenance tasks and heavy cleaning duties. They do everyday things to sweep floors, mop, scrub, vacuum, collect and empty trash, dust furniture, walls, and equipment. They mix solutions and chemicals in containers based on proportions for disinfecting windows, mirrors, and other partitions requiring cleaning. Some also do minor building maintenance and light repairs, while others are exposed to biohazardous materials.

Cleaning team member vs custodian salary

Cleaning team members and custodians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cleaning Team MemberCustodian
Average salary$27,848$30,176
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $35,000Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyDeloitteLos Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industryRetailEducation

Differences between cleaning team member and custodian education

There are a few differences between a cleaning team member and a custodian in terms of educational background:

Cleaning Team MemberCustodian
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesBusiness
Most common college--

Cleaning team member vs custodian demographics

Here are the differences between cleaning team members' and custodians' demographics:

Cleaning Team MemberCustodian
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 55.5% Female, 44.5%Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 4.6% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian, 5.0% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between cleaning team member and custodian duties and responsibilities

Cleaning team member example responsibilities.

  • Assemble merchandise for customers such as grills, lawn mowers and snow blowers.
  • Maintain store cleanliness following safety standards require.
  • Wash, dry, and put away dishes.
  • Use solvent, such as carbon tetrachloride; rags, brushes, pads and sponges.
  • Stock, bag groceries and move carts.
  • Clean restrooms including clean toilets, urinals and sinks.
  • Show more

Custodian example responsibilities.

  • Operate janitorial equipment including: vacuum cleaners, floor scrubbers, carpet cleaners, presser washers, leaf blowers, etc.
  • Fill in for custodians when they need off, clean schools, mow grass, salt lots.
  • Rake leaves, cut and water grass.
  • Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, with sponges, or squeegees.
  • Strip and wax floors, clean windows, replace burnt-out light bulbs and ballasts.
  • Clean and perform preventative maintenance on all mechanical equipment (HVAC & ventilation systems).
  • Show more

Cleaning team member vs custodian skills

Common cleaning team member skills
  • Cleanliness, 37%
  • Safety Standards, 19%
  • Equipment Issues, 15%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 12%
  • Clean Windows, 6%
  • Building Exteriors, 5%
Common custodian skills
  • Cleanliness, 13%
  • Work Ethic, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Building Floors, 6%
  • Minor Maintenance, 5%
  • Ladders, 3%

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