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Sanitizer vs custodian

The differences between sanitizers and custodians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sanitizer has an average salary of $35,199, which is higher than the $30,176 average annual salary of a custodian.

The top three skills for a sanitizer include food safety, production equipment and power washers. The most important skills for a custodian are cleanliness, work ethic, and customer service.

Sanitizer vs custodian overview

SanitizerCustodian
Yearly salary$35,199$30,176
Hourly rate$16.92$14.51
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs60,21147,364
Job satisfaction54
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 48%
Average age4949
Years of experience--

What does a sanitizer do?

It is the job of a sanitizer to clean, disassemble, and reassemble processing equipment. Sanitizers clean based on the established specifications and guidelines and make certain that the equipment is operational in the production. They prepare and manage the equipment and chemicals used for sanitation. Their job entails the creation and maintenance of extensive databases to determine raw materials, release finish product testing, and in-process testing results.

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.

Sanitizer vs custodian salary

Sanitizers and custodians have different pay scales, as shown below.

SanitizerCustodian
Average salary$35,199$30,176
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $43,000Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaMassachusetts
Best paying companyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterLos Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industryManufacturingEducation

Differences between sanitizer and custodian education

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

SanitizerCustodian
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Sanitizer vs custodian demographics

Here are the differences between sanitizers' and custodians' demographics:

SanitizerCustodian
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 80.9% Female, 19.1%Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 5.0% White, 55.3% 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 Percentage5%5%

Differences between sanitizer and custodian duties and responsibilities

Sanitizer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the receipt and tracking of control substances as well as the DEA biennial inspection.
  • Clean grinders, augers, line equipment for raw meat processing for pet food products.
  • Follow all GMP and FDA rules and regulations to ensure food contamination/ cross contamination doesn't occur
  • Assure quality, complete all paper work, and comply with all safety and GMP standard.
  • Clean and prepare mixers and production lines, food allergen cleaning for dairy and nut allergen.
  • Confirm that lines are cleaned in accordance with USDA and proper chemicals are used on specific equipment.
  • 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

Sanitizer vs custodian skills

Common sanitizer skills
  • Food Safety, 12%
  • Production Equipment, 7%
  • Power Washers, 5%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • GMP, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%
Common custodian skills
  • Cleanliness, 13%
  • Work Ethic, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Building Floors, 6%
  • Minor Maintenance, 5%
  • Ladders, 3%

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