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The differences between custodians and general cleaners 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 $27,205 average annual salary of a general cleaner.
The top three skills for a custodian include cleanliness, work ethic and customer service. The most important skills for a general cleaner are cleanliness, break rooms, and light fixtures.
| Custodian | General Cleaner | |
| Yearly salary | $30,176 | $27,205 |
| Hourly rate | $14.51 | $13.08 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 47,364 | 96,320 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 3 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
General cleaners are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of all the facilities of the company premises. A general cleaner also monitors the adequacy of cleaning materials in the storage area. They also respond to the visitors' inquiries and concerns, directing them to the appropriate personnel and department for their business needs. A general cleaner must be highly-organized, ensuring the safety of the establishment by following strict sanitary standards and cleaning procedures. They report defective items, inspect office equipment, and request additional supplies.
Custodians and general cleaners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Custodian | General Cleaner | |
| Average salary | $30,176 | $27,205 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $39,000 | Between $21,000 And $34,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Los Alamos National Laboratory | Boston Medical Center |
| Best paying industry | Education | Construction |
There are a few differences between a custodian and a general cleaner in terms of educational background:
| Custodian | General Cleaner | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | General Studies |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between custodians' and general cleaners' demographics:
| Custodian | General Cleaner | |
| Average age | 49 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6% | Male, 51.0% Female, 49.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 4.0% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |