What is a custodian and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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A custodian maintains and cleans buildings such as schools, offices, and hospitals. They ensure that the premises remain sanitary and safe by mopping floors, emptying trash cans, dusting surfaces, and cleaning restrooms. Custodians may use equipment such as vacuums, brooms, and cleaning solutions. They must also learn safety procedures and regulations for handling chemicals and waste. Custodians aim to make public spaces comfortable and safe for people to use.

ScoreCustodianUS Average
Salary
2.4

Avg. Salary $30,176

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.7

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.31%

Asian 5.04%

Black or African American 10.39%

Hispanic or Latino 24.11%

Unknown 4.11%

White 55.05%

Gender

female 35.59%

male 64.41%

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

What are the pros and cons of being a Custodian?

Pros

  • Steady work with predictable hours

  • Opportunities for advancement within the custodial department

  • Potential for job stability and security

  • Minimal educational requirements

  • Possible access to benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans

Cons

  • Physically demanding work that can be strenuous on the body

  • May require working early mornings, evenings, or overnights

  • Limited opportunities for creativity or innovation in daily work tasks

  • May be subject to budget cuts or layoffs during economic downturns

  • Can be perceived as a low-status job in society

Custodian career paths

Key steps to become a custodian

  1. Explore custodian education requirements

    Most common custodian degrees

    High School Diploma

    48.1 %

    Bachelor's

    16.8 %

    Associate

    16.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific custodian skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Cleanliness12.98%
    Work Ethic8.26%
    Customer Service6.40%
    Building Floors6.31%
    Minor Maintenance4.99%
  3. Complete relevant custodian training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New 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 custodian based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real custodian resumes.
  4. Research custodian duties and 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.
  5. Prepare your custodian resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your 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 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 Custodian Resume templates

    Build a professional 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 Custodian resume.
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  6. Apply for custodian jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a 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 Custodian Job

Zippi

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Average custodian salary

The average Custodian salary in the United States is $30,176 per year or $15 per hour. Custodian salaries range between $23,000 and $39,000 per year.

Average Custodian Salary
$30,176 Yearly
$14.51 hourly

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How do custodians rate their job?

4/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Custodian reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2023
Pros

You get a job which gets you money

Cons

Cleaning really sucks also not very good pay


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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2023
Pros

Positive feeling

Cons

Emconsideration in the positive environment in which I've tried to creat.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2023
Pros

The finishing product

Cons

Was not much that I didn’t like .Working on my own didn’t bother me,was always interested in cleaning


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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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