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What is a senior custodian and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Senior custodians are experienced maintenance professionals, who take care of a building or property. They make sure the premises are clean and in excellent condition, resolving various technical issues related to anything from plumbing, heating, electrical wiring, and more.

Working as a senior custodian, you will hire and train maintenance workers and oversee their tasks. You will make sure interior spaces are just as clean and organized as external areas. Waxing floors, cleaning carpets, sanitizing restrooms will be among your tasks. You will see to it that necessary supplies are on stock, equipment used for maintenance work is functional, and safety measures are respected.

No specialized education is needed to fill this role. Experience in trades or maintenance work is important to have, and a driver's license is generally required. You will need to manage your time and communicate efficiently, organizing contractors for larger jobs beyond your scope. You can expect to earn around $31,000 per year on average working in this position.

ScoreSenior CustodianUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $32,547

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.7

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.65%

Asian 4.71%

Black or African American 11.65%

Hispanic or Latino 32.13%

Unknown 4.48%

White 45.39%

Gender

female 24.07%

male 75.93%

Age - 51
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 51
Stress level
5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
9.1

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Senior custodian career paths

Key steps to become a senior custodian

  1. Explore senior custodian education requirements

    Most common senior custodian degrees

    High School Diploma

    50.4 %

    Associate

    17.3 %

    Bachelor's

    15.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific senior custodian skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Ladders9.00%
    Windows7.42%
    Floor Care5.68%
    Floor Machines5.17%
    General Maintenance5.00%
  3. Complete relevant senior custodian training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior custodians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior custodian based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior custodian resumes.
  4. Research senior custodian duties and responsibilities

    • Maintain cleanliness ofschools, monitor seventeen man work crew
    • Operate power equipment such as carpet extractors, pressure washer, hand, and power tools.
    • Maintain cleanliness throughout college campus which includes bathroom, hallways, laboratories lodges, offices, and lecture hall
    • Maintain exteriors by sweeping and/or blowing down sidewalks, stairs, or cleaning with high-pressure washers and riding sidewalk scrubbers.
  5. Get senior custodian experience

  6. Prepare your senior custodian resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior custodian resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior custodian resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable senior custodian resume templates

    Build a professional senior custodian resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your senior custodian resume.
    Senior Custodian Resume
    Senior Custodian Resume
    Senior Custodian Resume
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    Senior Custodian Resume
    Senior Custodian Resume
    Senior Custodian Resume
    Senior Custodian Resume
    Senior Custodian Resume
  7. Apply for senior custodian jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a senior custodian job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first senior custodian job

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Average senior custodian salary

The average senior custodian salary in the United States is $32,547 per year or $16 per hour. Senior custodian salaries range between $23,000 and $44,000 per year.

Average senior custodian salary
$32,547 Yearly
$15.65 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do senior custodians rate their job?

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Senior custodian reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Pros

The people I work for.

Cons

The scarcity of businesses willing to pay someone to work for them. Custodial work is an honest way of making a living.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

interacting with employees while making sure things get do accordingly

Cons

Not being recognized as being important as other positions and not getting raises.


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

I love working with others. Im an expert in detailing and doing things in a fast speed. I'm good with multi task. I can help others succeed.

Cons

What I don't like is having to deal with leads that they expect to much when you only have a few hours. Also can't deal with lazy people. Who don't like to progress.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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