Post job

Plan administrator vs custodian

The differences between plan administrators and custodians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a plan administrator has an average salary of $68,435, which is higher than the $30,176 average annual salary of a custodian.

The top three skills for a plan administrator include payroll, HR and plan administration. The most important skills for a custodian are cleanliness, work ethic, and customer service.

Plan administrator vs custodian overview

Plan AdministratorCustodian
Yearly salary$68,435$30,176
Hourly rate$32.90$14.51
Growth rate2%4%
Number of jobs51,85647,364
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%High School Diploma, 48%
Average age4649
Years of experience6-

What does a plan administrator do?

A plan administrator's duties depend on their line of work or place of employment. Still, they typically include understanding the client or the project's needs, developing plans, performing research and analysis, liaising with internal and external parties, setting goals, establishing guidelines and timelines, and developing strategies to optimize procedures. They must also respond to issues and concerns, resolving them efficiently. Moreover, as a plan administrator, it is essential to monitor the daily operations and manage staff, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a custodian do?

A custodian, also referred to as janitor, is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and helping protect all facilities. Custodians make sure everything is clean, neat, in order, and free from clutter and safe. They perform routine maintenance tasks and heavy cleaning duties. They do everyday things to sweep floors, mop, scrub, vacuum, collect and empty trash, dust furniture, walls, and equipment. They mix solutions and chemicals in containers based on proportions for disinfecting windows, mirrors, and other partitions requiring cleaning. Some also do minor building maintenance and light repairs, while others are exposed to biohazardous materials.

Plan administrator vs custodian salary

Plan administrators and custodians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Plan AdministratorCustodian
Average salary$68,435$30,176
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $103,000Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMassachusetts
Best paying companyAppleLos Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industryManufacturingEducation

Differences between plan administrator and custodian education

There are a few differences between a plan administrator and a custodian in terms of educational background:

Plan AdministratorCustodian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Pennsylvania-

Plan administrator vs custodian demographics

Here are the differences between plan administrators' and custodians' demographics:

Plan AdministratorCustodian
Average age4649
Gender ratioMale, 39.1% Female, 60.9%Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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 Percentage35%5%

Differences between plan administrator and custodian duties and responsibilities

Plan administrator example responsibilities.

  • Create custom macro to expedite data transfer of manage ESOP.
  • Participate in establishing and testing pension plans on PeopleSoft to automate applicable calculations.
  • Establish and maintain IRA, SEP, SARSEP and Keogh plans.
  • Gather plan date (census, assets) from clients, CPA's, attorneys, and investment brokers.
  • Process monthly stock option and RSU grants.
  • Prepare RSU tax withholding calculations for mobility employees on a monthly basis.
  • Show more

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).
  • Show more

Plan administrator vs custodian skills

Common plan administrator skills
  • Payroll, 9%
  • HR, 7%
  • Plan Administration, 6%
  • Database, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • SOX, 4%
Common custodian skills
  • Cleanliness, 13%
  • Work Ethic, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Building Floors, 6%
  • Minor Maintenance, 5%
  • Ladders, 3%

Browse executive management jobs