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Lead custodian vs custodial supervisor

The differences between lead custodians and custodial supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a lead custodian and a custodial supervisor. Additionally, a custodial supervisor has an average salary of $34,652, which is higher than the $32,122 average annual salary of a lead custodian.

The top three skills for a lead custodian include cleanliness, floor care and safety procedures. The most important skills for a custodial supervisor are customer service, cleanliness, and corrective action.

Lead custodian vs custodial supervisor overview

Lead CustodianCustodial Supervisor
Yearly salary$32,122$34,652
Hourly rate$15.44$16.66
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs10,0754,393
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 35%
Average age4949
Years of experience22

What does a lead custodian do?

A Lead Custodian supervises the custodian division to maintain cleanliness in the office, building, and property at a given time, typically in the morning and evening. They are the ones in charge of performing minor maintenance, furniture, and other office equipment. They also ensure that all assigned tasks to members are completed within the scheduled time and conducts an inventory of all the equipment and supplies. Also, they keep the security surveillance to protect the employees and staff.

What does a custodial supervisor do?

A custodial supervisor oversees an organization's the custodial team. They develop plans and strategies to maintain the cleanliness of buildings and facilities, supervise the performance of custodial staff, delegate responsibilities, set goals and objectives, and solve issues and concerns when any arise. They may also participate in conducting routine maintenance inspections, recruiting staff, training staff, negotiating with suppliers, and securing supplies. Additionally, they ensure safety standards and policies are followed.

Lead custodian vs custodial supervisor salary

Lead custodians and custodial supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead CustodianCustodial Supervisor
Average salary$32,122$34,652
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $44,000Between $26,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CASouth San Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateVermontMassachusetts
Best paying companyCity of Roanoke, Virginia - GovernmentUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryEducationManufacturing

Differences between lead custodian and custodial supervisor education

There are a few differences between a lead custodian and a custodial supervisor in terms of educational background:

Lead CustodianCustodial Supervisor
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Lead custodian vs custodial supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between lead custodians' and custodial supervisors' demographics:

Lead CustodianCustodial Supervisor
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 68.0% Female, 32.0%Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 3.2% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.3% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between lead custodian and custodial supervisor duties and responsibilities

Lead custodian example responsibilities.

  • Operate equipment including carpet extractors, floor scrubbers, slow/high speeds for stripping/refinishing floors, furniture moving equipment and snow blowers.
  • Operate power tools, buffers, scrubbers, extractors, vacuums, brooms, mops, to ensure daily cleaning.
  • Perform repairs, including painting, basic carpentry, and wall repair, minor plumbing and electrical.
  • Execute minor repairs including furniture assembly, changing ballasts, plumbing, locks, windows, ceiling tiles.
  • Operate power equipment, scrubber, stripper, carpet extractors, pressure washer, and hand power tools.
  • Work and train under license / union electricians, learned and field used NEC codes and OSHA safety regulations.
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Custodial supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct building maintenance and cleanliness inspections for necessary repairs and safety hazards and report to customer along with follow up.
  • Scrub out toilets and urinals.
  • Perform general maintenance, repairs, and cleaning, floor scrubbing, sweeping, power washing, and plumbing.
  • Provide guidance to a crew of up to 12 staff in proper sanitation procedures according to OSHA rules/guidelines and company policies/procedures.
  • Facilitate all OSHA requirements and recommendations for safety.
  • Inspect all facilities for equipment operation and cleanliness; initiate and supervise preventive maintenance programs service contracts.
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Lead custodian vs custodial supervisor skills

Common lead custodian skills
  • Cleanliness, 11%
  • Floor Care, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Minor Maintenance, 5%
  • Building Maintenance, 3%
Common custodial supervisor skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Cleanliness, 9%
  • Corrective Action, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Floor Care, 4%

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