What does a custodian worker do?
Custodian worker responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real custodian worker resumes:
- 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.
Custodian worker skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Custodian Workers are proficient in WAX Floors, Cleanliness, and Scrubbers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Physical strength, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Custodian Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- WAX Floors, 15%
Wax floors strip floors power wash bathrooms trash removal and cleaning class rooms and set up for assemblies
- Cleanliness, 11%
Inspected assigned work locations to ensure cleanliness and organization.
- Scrubbers, 8%
Maintained working facilities-Used floor scrubbers to clean assigned areas-Polished floors-Cleaned bathrooms and took out garbage to maintain a clean environment
- Window Sills, 6%
Hand dust and wipe clean office furniture,fixtures and window sills.
- Class Rooms, 6%
Clean inside and outside of school and pulled trash though out clean class rooms bathrooms.sweep, mop.
- Taking Care, 5%
make sure all is taking care of
Most custodian workers use their skills in "wax floors," "cleanliness," and "scrubbers" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential custodian worker responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for a custodian worker to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "janitors and building cleaners must interact well other cleaners and the people who live or work in the buildings they service." Additionally, a custodian worker resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "team player with excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. "
Physical strength. Many custodian worker duties rely on physical strength. "janitors and building cleaners often must lift and move heavy cleaning materials and equipment.," so a custodian worker will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways custodian worker responsibilities rely on physical strength: "perform light maintenance and physical duties that reach teacher's needs. "
Time-management skills. custodian workers are also known for time-management skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to custodian worker responsibilities, because "janitors and building cleaners must plan and complete tasks in a timely manner." A custodian worker resume example shows how time-management skills is used in the workplace: "performed numerous cleaning tasks under deadlines duties include sanitizing surfaces, sweeping, mopping, cleaning bathrooms and trash removal. "
Mechanical skills. A big part of what custodian workers do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to custodian worker responsibilities because "janitors and building cleaners need to understand general building operations and should be able to make routine repairs, such as to leaky faucets." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical custodian worker tasks: "strip and wax floors, mechanical skills were also used"
The three companies that hire the most custodian workers are:
- ServiceMaster28 custodian workers jobs
- UniFirst21 custodian workers jobs
- The SOS Group
12 custodian workers jobs
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Compare different custodian workers
Custodian worker vs. Housekeeping aide
The primary job of a housekeeping aide is to maintain the cleanliness of an assigned area, including hospital rooms, hotel rooms, and corridors. This role will require you to perform various housekeeping chores as requested by the housekeeping manager, such as cleaning the restrooms and kitchens. You will be responsible for keeping the office pantries tidy and ensuring the availability of supplies for beverages such as chocolate and coffee at all times. Other duties include cleaning floors, clearing away garbage, and attending to the needs of guests.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between custodian workers and housekeeping aide. For instance, custodian worker responsibilities require skills such as "class rooms," "office buildings," "general maintenance," and "vacuum floors." Whereas a housekeeping aide is skilled in "patients," "guest rooms," "customer service," and "home health." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Housekeeping aides tend to make the most money working in the hospitality industry, where they earn an average salary of $30,153. In contrast, custodian workers make the biggest average salary, $30,045, in the hospitality industry.On average, housekeeping aides reach similar levels of education than custodian workers. Housekeeping aides are 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Custodian worker vs. Floor technician
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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real custodian worker resumes. While custodian worker responsibilities can utilize skills like "window sills," "class rooms," "taking care," and "office buildings," floor technicians use skills like "extraction," "patients," "safety guidelines," and "safety precautions."
On average, floor technicians earn a higher salary than custodian workers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, floor technicians earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $31,091. Whereas custodian workers have higher pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $30,045.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Floor technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than custodian workers. In fact, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Custodian worker vs. Janitor
Janitors are primarily responsible for maintaining the sanitation and cleanliness of the workspace. They are in charge of sweeping and mopping floors, wiping surfaces, and ensuring that the area they are assigned to is properly sanitized. They manage the inventory of supplies and ensure that they would never run out of cleaning supplies by properly tracking the usage of each material. Some skilled janitors are also responsible for doing minor repairs to different office equipment and fixtures. They also help in company event setups and cleanups, as well as in liaising tasks that the office might need.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a custodian worker is likely to be skilled in "taking care," "trash receptacles," "patient rooms," and "hard surface floors," while a typical janitor is skilled in "patients," "customer service," "work ethic," and "bathroom fixtures."
Janitors earn the best pay in the hospitality industry, where they command an average salary of $30,059. Custodian workers earn the highest pay from the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $30,045.Most janitors achieve a similar degree level compared to custodian workers. For example, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Custodian worker vs. Professional cleaner
Types of custodian worker
Updated January 8, 2025
