Duct cleaner vs custodian

The differences between duct cleaners and custodians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a duct cleaner has an average salary of $31,620, which is higher than the $30,176 average annual salary of a custodian.

The top three skills for a duct cleaner include duct systems, HVAC and air ducts. The most important skills for a custodian are cleanliness, work ethic, and customer service.

Duct cleaner vs custodian overview

	Duct Cleaner	Custodian
Yearly salary	$31,620	$30,176
Hourly rate	$15.20	$14.51
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	35,485	47,364
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	-	-

Duct cleaner vs custodian salary

Duct cleaners and custodians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Duct Cleaner	Custodian
Average salary	$31,620	$30,176
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $41,000	Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Los Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between duct cleaner and custodian education

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

	Duct Cleaner	Custodian
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Heating And Air Conditioning	Business
Most common college	-	-

Duct cleaner vs custodian demographics

Here are the differences between duct cleaners' and custodians' demographics:

	Duct Cleaner	Custodian
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 97.2% Female, 2.8%	Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 4.9% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	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%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between duct cleaner and custodian duties and responsibilities

Duct cleaner example responsibilities.

Clean HVAC systems and duct work in residential homes as well as commercial buildings.
Work within the guidelines set forth by Amtrak, OSHA, and the environmental management system.
Maintain cleanliness of Amtrak's passenger trains.
Use blue signal protection and knowledge of FRA to work safely.
Assist techs with maintenance of equipment used in daily production of Nissan products.
Clean ducts and HVAC systems, as well as carpet and post construction clean up.

Custodian example responsibilities.

Operate janitorial equipment including: vacuum cleaners, floor scrubbers, carpet cleaners, presser washers, leaf blowers, etc.
Fill in for custodians when they need off, clean schools, mow grass, salt lots.
Rake leaves, cut and water grass.
Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, with sponges, or squeegees.
Strip and wax floors, clean windows, replace burnt-out light bulbs and ballasts.
Clean and perform preventative maintenance on all mechanical equipment (HVAC & ventilation systems).

Duct cleaner vs custodian skills

Common duct cleaner skills

Duct Systems, 32%
HVAC, 28%
Air Ducts, 21%
Customer Service, 11%
Commercial Buildings, 3%
Residential Homes, 2%

Common custodian skills

Cleanliness, 13%
Work Ethic, 8%
Customer Service, 6%
Building Floors, 6%
Minor Maintenance, 5%
Ladders, 3%

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Duct Cleaner vs Custodian

Updated January 8, 2025

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