Window cleaner vs custodian

The differences between window cleaners and custodians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a custodian has an average salary of $30,176, which is higher than the $29,697 average annual salary of a window cleaner.

The top three skills for a window cleaner include ladders, clean windows and safety procedures. The most important skills for a custodian are cleanliness, work ethic, and customer service.

Window cleaner vs custodian overview

	Window Cleaner	Custodian
Yearly salary	$29,697	$30,176
Hourly rate	$14.28	$14.51
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	40,491	47,364
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	-	-

Window cleaner vs custodian salary

Window cleaners and custodians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Window Cleaner	Custodian
Average salary	$29,697	$30,176
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $38,000	Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Burien, WA	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Janus Henderson U.S.	Los Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industry	Construction	Education

Differences between window cleaner and custodian education

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

	Window Cleaner	Custodian
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Window cleaner vs custodian demographics

Here are the differences between window cleaners' and custodians' demographics:

	Window Cleaner	Custodian
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%	Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 4.2% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	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 Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between window cleaner and custodian duties and responsibilities

Window cleaner example responsibilities.

Operate a forklift for logistic, to manage and relocate BMW's fixture material.
Used tools such as scrubbers, squeegees, scrapers, extension poles, adjustable pole angles.
Use tools such as shovels, pick axes, jackhammer.
Scrape black caulking off the windows.
Clean building windows using squeegees and/or wands.
Handle maintenance work; caulking, remolding and framework.

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).

Window cleaner vs custodian skills

Common window cleaner skills

Ladders, 23%
Clean Windows, 10%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Exterior Windows, 5%
Commercial Cleaning, 5%

Common custodian skills

Cleanliness, 13%
Work Ethic, 8%
Customer Service, 6%
Building Floors, 6%
Minor Maintenance, 5%
Ladders, 3%

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Window Cleaner vs Custodian

Updated January 8, 2025

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