Custodian worker vs maintenance worker

The differences between custodian workers and maintenance workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a maintenance worker has an average salary of $36,132, which is higher than the $28,309 average annual salary of a custodian worker.

The top three skills for a custodian worker include wax floors, cleanliness and scrubbers. The most important skills for a maintenance worker are plumbing, GRASS, and general maintenance.

Custodian worker vs maintenance worker overview

	Custodian Worker	Maintenance Worker
Yearly salary	$28,309	$36,132
Hourly rate	$13.61	$17.37
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	102,181	115,130
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	49	47
Years of experience	-	4

Custodian worker vs maintenance worker salary

Custodian workers and maintenance workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Custodian Worker	Maintenance Worker
Average salary	$28,309	$36,132
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $36,000	Between $25,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	Schenectady, NY	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	New York	Alaska
Best paying company	Idyllwild Arts	ABB
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Manufacturing

Differences between custodian worker and maintenance worker education

There are a few differences between a custodian worker and a maintenance worker in terms of educational background:

	Custodian Worker	Maintenance Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Custodian worker vs maintenance worker demographics

Here are the differences between custodian workers' and maintenance workers' demographics:

	Custodian Worker	Maintenance Worker
Average age	49	47
Gender ratio	Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6%	Male, 88.0% Female, 12.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.7% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 4.5% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	2%

Differences between custodian worker and maintenance worker duties and responsibilities

Custodian worker example responsibilities.

Operate auto scrubbers, vacuums, and wet/dry extractors to mop, strip, wax, and buff floors.
Inspect assigned work locations to ensure cleanliness and organization.
Perform mechanical repairs and services to plumbing, electrical, mechanical systems and large rotating equipment including refrigeration systems.
Clean and disinfect lavatory areas including sinks, urinals and toilets using appropriate cleaning solutions.
Operate buffers and burnishers to strip, wax and buff floors and corridors in various facilities.

Maintenance worker example responsibilities.

Clean windows or mirrors, using cleaners, and squeegees.
Promote and enforce safety procedures; render first aid and CPR.
Conduct electrical repairs to include replacing outlets, light switches, and fixture replacements.
Identify safety hazards; respond to accidents and emergencies and administers first aid and CPR.
Mow, edge, trim and rake fields; operate riding mowers, light duty vehicles, blowers, edger.
Respond to service requests including custodial work, preventative maintenance and assessment of roofing, HVAC, furnace and electrical systems.

Custodian worker vs maintenance worker skills

Common custodian worker skills

WAX Floors, 15%
Cleanliness, 11%
Scrubbers, 8%
Window Sills, 6%
Class Rooms, 6%
Taking Care, 5%

Common maintenance worker skills

Plumbing, 10%
GRASS, 8%
General Maintenance, 7%
Hand Tools, 5%
Building Maintenance, 5%
Mowing, 4%

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Custodian Worker vs Maintenance Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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