Industrial cleaner vs custodian worker

The differences between industrial cleaners and custodian workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an industrial cleaner has an average salary of $28,367, which is higher than the $28,309 average annual salary of a custodian worker.

The top three skills for an industrial cleaner include industrial cleaning, building floors and safety procedures. The most important skills for a custodian worker are wax floors, cleanliness, and scrubbers.

Industrial cleaner vs custodian worker overview

	Industrial Cleaner	Custodian Worker
Yearly salary	$28,367	$28,309
Hourly rate	$13.64	$13.61
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	79,374	102,181
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 54%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	-	-

Industrial cleaner vs custodian worker salary

Industrial cleaners and custodian workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Industrial Cleaner	Custodian Worker
Average salary	$28,367	$28,309
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $36,000	Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	Minneapolis, MN	Schenectady, NY
Highest paying state	Washington	New York
Best paying company	Star Tribune	Idyllwild Arts
Best paying industry	Energy	Hospitality

Differences between industrial cleaner and custodian worker education

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

	Industrial Cleaner	Custodian Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Industrial cleaner vs custodian worker demographics

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

	Industrial Cleaner	Custodian Worker
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 62.8% Female, 37.2%	Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 4.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	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%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between industrial cleaner and custodian worker duties and responsibilities

Industrial cleaner example responsibilities.

Operate a forklift for logistic, to manage and relocate BMW's fixture material.
Train new hires, operate various floor scrubbers.
Execute commercial building following safety awareness to maintain cleanliness and neatness of working area and premises.
Disinfect equipment and supplies, using germicides or steam-operate sterilizers.

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.

Industrial cleaner vs custodian worker skills

Common industrial cleaner skills

Industrial Cleaning, 31%
Building Floors, 11%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Scrubbers, 5%
Steel Toe Boots, 5%
PPE, 4%

Common custodian worker skills

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

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Industrial Cleaner vs Custodian Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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