Janitor vs custodian worker

The differences between janitors and custodian workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a custodian worker has an average salary of $28,309, which is higher than the $27,954 average annual salary of a janitor.

The top three skills for a janitor include building floors, cleanliness and patients. The most important skills for a custodian worker are wax floors, cleanliness, and scrubbers.

Janitor vs custodian worker overview

	Janitor	Custodian Worker
Yearly salary	$27,954	$28,309
Hourly rate	$13.44	$13.61
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	57,146	102,181
Job satisfaction	3.67	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 54%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	-	-

Janitor vs custodian worker salary

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

	Janitor	Custodian Worker
Average salary	$27,954	$28,309
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $35,000	Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	Lexington, MA	Schenectady, NY
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	New York
Best paying company	Argonne National Laboratory	Idyllwild Arts
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Hospitality

Differences between janitor and custodian worker education

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

	Janitor	Custodian Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Janitor vs custodian worker demographics

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

	Janitor	Custodian Worker
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9%	Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 4.4% White, 58.5% 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 janitor and custodian worker duties and responsibilities

Janitor example responsibilities.

Clean private residents entire home, floors, windows, using soapy water and other cleaners, sponges, and squeegees.
Use of floor extractors machine to strip, scrub, wax, and buff floors.
Wash windows and mirrors, tables and counter tops using window cleaner and cloths or paper, sponges, squeegees.
Organize supplies such as broom, mop, sponges, cleaning supplies, etc.
Used solvent, such as carbon dioxide, rags, brushes, pads, and sponges.
Dust and vacuums shred rooms and personal cubicle areas.

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.

Janitor vs custodian worker skills

Common janitor skills

Building Floors, 12%
Cleanliness, 12%
Patients, 9%
Window Sills, 6%
Commercial Cleaning, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

Common custodian worker skills

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

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Janitor vs Custodian Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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