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The average salary for custodians and substitute custodians in the United States is approximately $30,974 per year, or about $15 per hour. Salaries can vary based on factors such as geographic location, experience, and specific employment sectors. For instance, custodians in educational institutions may have different pay scales compared to those in healthcare or corporate environments.
Understanding salary variations by state is crucial. States like California and New York typically offer higher wages, reflecting the cost of living and demand for custodial services. Conversely, states with a lower cost of living may present lower average salaries.
As with many roles, experience significantly affects salary. Entry-level custodians often start at lower pay, while those with several years in the field can command salaries closer to $40,000 annually. Gaining certifications or specialized training can further enhance earning potential.
For those considering a career as a custodian or substitute custodian, job opportunities are available in various sectors, including schools, hospitals, and corporate offices. Understanding the salary dynamics can help job seekers make informed career choices, ensuring they find positions that align with their financial goals.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level custodian/substitute custodian | $24,300 | $11.68 |
| Mid-level custodian/substitute custodian | $31,700 | $15.25 |
| Senior-level custodian/substitute custodian | $40,000 | $19.25 |
The highest-paying states for custodians/substitute custodians are Massachusetts, New York, and California. The lowest average custodian/substitute custodian salary states are Idaho, Alabama, and Texas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $32,105 | $15.44 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | $30,217 | $14.53 |
| 3 | Nevada | $33,014 | $15.87 |
| 4 | North Dakota | $32,361 | $15.56 |
| 5 | Michigan | $29,667 | $14.26 |
| 6 | Vermont | $33,462 | $16.09 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $41,607 | $20.00 |
| 8 | New York | $35,522 | $17.08 |
| 9 | Iowa | $28,937 | $13.91 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $30,382 | $14.61 |
| 11 | Alaska | $29,672 | $14.27 |
| 12 | Maine | $31,963 | $15.37 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $27,887 | $13.41 |
| 14 | California | $34,433 | $16.55 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $30,635 | $14.73 |
| 16 | Washington | $33,709 | $16.21 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $30,318 | $14.58 |
| 18 | Indiana | $28,264 | $13.59 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $27,958 | $13.44 |
| 20 | Hawaii | $33,646 | $16.18 |
| 21 | Kansas | $27,584 | $13.26 |
| 22 | Arizona | $28,391 | $13.65 |
| 23 | District of Columbia | $33,866 | $16.28 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| 25 | Oregon | $29,923 | $14.39 |
| 26 | Ohio | $24,973 | $12.01 |
| 27 | Illinois | $26,623 | $12.80 |
| 28 | Montana | $25,197 | $12.11 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $26,678 | $12.83 |
| 30 | Delaware | $28,249 | $13.58 |
| 31 | Florida | $26,582 | $12.78 |
| 32 | Maryland | $27,463 | $13.20 |
| 33 | West Virginia | $25,707 | $12.36 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $27,029 | $12.99 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $23,889 | $11.49 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $23,700 | $11.39 |
| 37 | Utah | $24,889 | $11.97 |
| 38 | Missouri | $23,543 | $11.32 |
| 39 | Colorado | $25,835 | $12.42 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $24,011 | $11.54 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $24,525 | $11.79 |
| 42 | Virginia | $26,095 | $12.55 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $24,069 | $11.57 |
| 44 | Idaho | $23,252 | $11.18 |
| 45 | Georgia | $23,946 | $11.51 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $20,289 | $9.75 |
| 47 | Texas | $22,295 | $10.72 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $18,313 | $8.80 |
| 49 | North Carolina | $23,365 | $11.23 |
| 50 | Alabama | $22,326 | $10.73 |
| 51 | New Mexico | $21,851 | $10.51 |
The highest-paying cities for custodians/substitute custodians are Santa Rosa, CA, Brentwood, NY, and Bremerton, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $36,561 | $17.58 |
| 2 | Brentwood, NY | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| 3 | Bremerton, WA | $34,145 | $16.42 |
| 4 | Danbury, CT | $30,359 | $14.60 |
| 5 | Salem, OR | $30,075 | $14.46 |
| 6 | York, PA | $27,708 | $13.32 |
| 7 | Frederick, MD | $27,464 | $13.20 |
| 8 | Billings, MT | $24,928 | $11.98 |
| 9 | Pocatello, ID | $22,729 | $10.93 |
| 10 | Albuquerque, NM | $21,909 | $10.53 |
| 11 | Lafayette, LA | $18,285 | $8.79 |
A custodian/substitute custodian's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $30,974 | $2,581 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
The highest paying types of custodians/substitute custodians are carpet technician, floor care specialist, and floor staff.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor Staff | $33,187 | $2,766 | $15.96 | 84,351 |
| Janitor | $27,954 | $2,329 | $13.44 | 57,146 |
| Day Porter | $28,820 | $2,402 | $13.86 | 84,003 |
| Porter | $29,861 | $2,488 | $14.36 | 87,777 |
| Floor Technician | $29,785 | $2,482 | $14.32 | 31,859 |
| General Cleaner | $27,205 | $2,267 | $13.08 | 96,320 |
Top companies hiring custodians/substitute custodians now:
Custodian/substitute custodian salaries at Mt. San Antonio College and Grand Ledge High School are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average custodian/substitute custodian salary at companies like Central Valley School District and Contra Costa College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mt. San Antonio College | $46,383 | $22.30 |
| 2 | Grand Ledge High School | $41,561 | $19.98 |
| 3 | Central Valley School District | $40,962 | $19.69 |
| 4 | Contra Costa College | $40,449 | $19.45 |
| 5 | Fremont Public Schools | $40,363 | $19.41 |
| 6 | Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES | $39,314 | $18.90 |
| 7 | Jefferson Elementary School District | $38,972 | $18.74 |
| 8 | Lafayette School District | $38,937 | $18.72 |
| 9 | Solana Beach School District | $38,379 | $18.45 |
| 10 | Andover Public Schools | $38,053 | $18.29 |
| 11 | Madison High School | $37,893 | $18.22 |
| 12 | Campbell Union High School District | $37,762 | $18.15 |
| 13 | Oak Grove School | $37,607 | $18.08 |
| 14 | West Contra Costa Unified School District | $37,457 | $18.01 |
| 15 | Region 14 Education Service Center | $37,382 | $17.97 |
| 16 | Tustin Unified School District | $37,355 | $17.96 |
| 17 | La Cañada Unified School District | $37,274 | $17.92 |
| 18 | Alameda Unified | $37,027 | $17.80 |
| 19 | Naperville School District 203 | $36,943 | $17.76 |
| 20 | Pioneer High School | $36,908 | $17.74 |
The average custodian/substitute custodian salary has risen by $7,147 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average custodian/substitute custodian earned $23,827 annually, but today, they earn $30,974 a year. That works out to a 20% change in pay for custodians/substitute custodians over the last decade.
Compare custodian/substitute custodian salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare custodian/substitute custodian salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,000 | $14.89 | +5.7% |
| 2024 | $29,200 | $14.05 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | $27,800 | $13.37 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $26,600 | $12.80 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | $25,800 | $12.39 | +3.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White River School District 416 | Substitute Custodian | Ione, WA | 06/28/2025 | $45,392 |
| Mason City School District | Lebanon City Schools: Substitute Custodian) | Mason, OH | 06/27/2025 | $34,436 |
| Independent School District 518 | Substitute Custodian | Worthington, MN | 06/27/2025 | $43,117 |
| White River School District | Substitute Custodian | Buckley, WA | 06/27/2025 | $45,392 |
| Ottumwa Community School District | Substitute Custodian | Ottumwa, IA | 06/27/2025 | $33,893 |
| Fargo Public Schools | Substitute Custodians | Fargo, ND | 06/26/2025 | $30,345 |
| West Virginia Department of Education | Additional Substitute Custodian(S) County) | West Virginia | 06/26/2025 | $35,651 |
| Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District | Substitute Custodians-District-Wide | Wilbraham, MA | 06/26/2025 | $33,392 |
| Marlborough Public Schools | Custodian Substitutes-Daily & | Marlborough, MA | 06/25/2025 | $36,523 |
| Garrett County Public Schools | Substitute Custodian Candidate Pool)-Gcps | Oakland, MD | 06/25/2025 | $32,870 |
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