Janitor / Custodian salary
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What a janitor / custodian does
Janitors and custodians clean and maintain buildings — offices, schools, hospitals and facilities. Steady work, often on evening shifts.
Day-to-day duties
- Clean and sanitise floors, surfaces and restrooms
- Empty waste and manage recycling
- Restock supplies
- Report maintenance issues
- Handle floor care and deep cleaning
Skills employers look for
- Thoroughness and consistency
- Working independently
- Safe chemical handling
- Physical stamina
Requirements Entry level
- No formal education required
- Ability to lift and be on your feet
- Background check for schools and hospitals
- Evening or overnight availability
How to get started
- 1 Apply directly — no experience needed
- 2 Learn floor care and specialist equipment
- 3 Move to lead custodian
- 4 Progress into facilities or building maintenance
Job outlook: Every building needs cleaning, so demand is unusually stable. School district and hospital roles often carry better benefits than contract cleaning.
Common questions about janitors and custodians
What does a janitor / custodian do?
Janitors and custodians clean and maintain buildings — offices, schools, hospitals and facilities. Steady work, often on evening shifts. Day to day, that means clean and sanitise floors, surfaces and restrooms, empty waste and manage recycling, restock supplies and report maintenance issues.
How do you become a janitor / custodian?
The usual route is: (1) apply directly — no experience needed, (2) learn floor care and specialist equipment, (3) move to lead custodian, (4) progress into facilities or building maintenance. Employers typically look for no formal education required, ability to lift and be on your feet and background check for schools and hospitals.
Do you need a certification to work as a janitor / custodian?
Usually not. Most employers hire janitors and custodians without a specific licence, and train on the job.
Are janitors and custodians in demand?
Every building needs cleaning, so demand is unusually stable. School district and hospital roles often carry better benefits than contract cleaning.
Where are janitors and custodians most in demand?
See the metro and rural areas with the highest concentration of this work, ranked from Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.
Similar roles
Pay figures are estimates for guidance only, not an offer or guarantee. Advertised ranges come from job postings on LocalWork; government figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends on experience, certifications, shift and employer.