Custodian worker vs service cleaner

The differences between custodian workers and service cleaners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a service cleaner has an average salary of $28,584, 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 service cleaner are urinals, window sills, and building floors.

Custodian worker vs service cleaner overview

	Custodian Worker	Service Cleaner
Yearly salary	$28,309	$28,584
Hourly rate	$13.61	$13.74
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	102,181	77,556
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 52%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	-	-

Custodian worker vs service cleaner salary

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

	Custodian Worker	Service Cleaner
Average salary	$28,309	$28,584
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $36,000	Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	Schenectady, NY	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	New York	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Idyllwild Arts	Hudson Pacific Properties
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Government

Differences between custodian worker and service cleaner education

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

	Custodian Worker	Service Cleaner
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 52%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Custodian worker vs service cleaner demographics

Here are the differences between custodian workers' and service cleaners' demographics:

	Custodian Worker	Service Cleaner
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6%	Male, 33.1% Female, 66.9%
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, 11.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between custodian worker and service cleaner 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.

Service cleaner example responsibilities.

Make repairs around the stadium including, plumbing, electrical, HVAC etc.
Work alongside the head custodian in learning basic HVAC maintenance.
Sweep or shovels snow from steps and walks at building entrances.
Help repair furniture, windows, and plumbing fixtures for students living in the residence halls.
Make rounds of facility to check fire alarms, boilers, HVAC equipment, doors and windows.
Execute commercial building following safety awareness to maintain cleanliness and neatness of working area and premises.

Custodian worker vs service cleaner skills

Common custodian worker skills

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

Common service cleaner skills

Urinals, 49%
Window Sills, 8%
Building Floors, 8%
Exam Rooms, 6%
Patient Rooms, 5%
Public Restrooms, 4%

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Custodian Worker vs Service Cleaner

Updated January 8, 2025

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