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Custodian vs floor technician

The differences between custodians and floor technicians 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 $29,785 average annual salary of a floor technician.

The top three skills for a custodian include cleanliness, work ethic and customer service. The most important skills for a floor technician are extraction, patients, and safety guidelines.

Custodian vs floor technician overview

CustodianFloor Technician
Yearly salary$30,176$29,785
Hourly rate$14.51$14.32
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs47,36431,859
Job satisfaction45
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 56%
Average age4949
Years of experience--

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.

What does a floor technician do?

A floor technician's role is to maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of various areas within an establishment. Their responsibilities include operating cleaning equipment, conducting minimal repairs and inventory checks, arranging furniture and fixtures, organizing supplies, and keeping floors free from obstructions. There are also instances where they must replenish soap or tissue dispensers, use strong chemicals, and even dispose of hazardous waste. Furthermore, a floor technician follows directives from managers or supervisors, reporting to them should there be any issues.

Custodian vs floor technician salary

Custodians and floor technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

CustodianFloor Technician
Average salary$30,176$29,785
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $39,000Between $23,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsWashington
Best paying companyLos Alamos National LaboratoryMindtree
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between custodian and floor technician education

There are a few differences between a custodian and a floor technician in terms of educational background:

CustodianFloor Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Custodian vs floor technician demographics

Here are the differences between custodians' and floor technicians' demographics:

CustodianFloor Technician
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 64.4% Female, 35.6%Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 5.2% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between custodian and floor technician duties and responsibilities

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

Floor technician example responsibilities.

  • Operate flooring equipment including extractors and buffing machines.
  • Provide and ensure exceptional customer service, provide information to customers for pricing and services and perform upholstery.
  • Used the MSDS when mixing hazardous and non hazardous materials.
  • Apply filler compound and coats of finish to floors to seal wood.
  • Expose to all aspects of rehabilitation at an inclusive nursing and rehab center.
  • Clean and disinfect sinks, urinals, toilets, counters, tables, etc.
  • Show more

Custodian vs floor technician skills

Common custodian skills
  • Cleanliness, 13%
  • Work Ethic, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Building Floors, 6%
  • Minor Maintenance, 5%
  • Ladders, 3%
Common floor technician skills
  • Extraction, 16%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Safety Guidelines, 11%
  • Safety Precautions, 9%
  • Floor Tech, 7%
  • WAX Floors, 5%

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