Custodial aide vs sanitation worker

The differences between custodial aides and sanitation workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sanitation worker has an average salary of $33,159, which is higher than the $31,208 average annual salary of a custodial aide.

The top three skills for a custodial aide include general cleanup, building floors and squeegees. The most important skills for a sanitation worker are cleanliness, pallet jack, and food safety.

Custodial aide vs sanitation worker overview

	Custodial Aide	Sanitation Worker
Yearly salary	$31,208	$33,159
Hourly rate	$15.00	$15.94
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	48,430	27,943
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 61%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	-	-

Custodial aide vs sanitation worker salary

Custodial aides and sanitation workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Custodial Aide	Sanitation Worker
Average salary	$31,208	$33,159
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $38,000	Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	-	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Michigan State University
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between custodial aide and sanitation worker education

There are a few differences between a custodial aide and a sanitation worker in terms of educational background:

	Custodial Aide	Sanitation Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Custodial aide vs sanitation worker demographics

Here are the differences between custodial aides' and sanitation workers' demographics:

	Custodial Aide	Sanitation Worker
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 60.8% Female, 39.2%	Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 4.7% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 4.9% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between custodial aide and sanitation worker duties and responsibilities

Custodial aide example responsibilities.

Perform and manage routine building maintenance tasks, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing and HVAC repair and maintenance.
Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or othercleaners, sponges, or squeegees.
Use auto scrubbers and high speed burnisher.
Clean windows, glass partitions, and mirrors using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges or squeeze.
Used a snow blower, shovels and salt to remove snow from and maintain safety of grounds area.
Demonstrate ability to lift and move heavy objects owing to exceptional physical dexterity.

Sanitation worker example responsibilities.

Operate a forklift for logistic, to manage and relocate BMW's fixture material.
Use power equipment such as floor sweepers, vacuums, scrubbers, mops, power washers.
Maintain cleanliness of entire facility according to OSHA and FDA regulations
Drive heavy equipment with CDL'S.
Train on (loto) lockout tag out
Landscape work including edging, mulching and mowing.

Custodial aide vs sanitation worker skills

Common custodial aide skills

General Cleanup, 22%
Building Floors, 18%
Squeegees, 13%
Sponges, 11%
Routine Maintenance, 8%
Aquatics, 7%

Common sanitation worker skills

Cleanliness, 14%
Pallet Jack, 13%
Food Safety, 11%
Safety Standards, 9%
Production Equipment, 5%
Safety Procedures, 4%

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Building and Grounds Maintenance Industry
Custodial Aide
Custodial Aide vs Sanitation Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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