Janitor / Custodian salary in Richmond, VA
Typical pay is $16.44/hr in Richmond, VA. Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for Richmond, VA.
What the range looks like
- 10th percentile Entry level / starting out
- $13.78/hr
- 25th percentile Below typical
- $14.17/hr
- Median Half earn more, half earn less
- $16.44/hr
- 75th percentile Above typical
- $18.24/hr
- 90th percentile Experienced / specialised
- $22.04/hr
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025) — Richmond, VA.
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Browse open janitors and custodians in Richmond, VA.
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 in Richmond, VA
How much does a janitor / custodian make in Richmond, VA?
The median pay for a janitor / custodian in Richmond, VA is $16.44 an hour — about $34,200 a year full time. That figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Richmond, VA (2025). Half of the roles pay more than this and half pay less, so treat it as the middle of the market rather than a target.
What is the pay range for janitors and custodians in Richmond, VA?
Most janitors and custodians in Richmond, VA earn between $13.78 an hour and $22.04 an hour — that is the 10th to the 90th percentile. The spread usually reflects experience, shift, certifications and employer size more than anything else.
How much do entry-level janitors and custodians make in Richmond, VA?
Pay at the bottom of the range — roughly what someone starting out can expect — is around $13.78 an hour in Richmond, VA. A quarter of janitors and custodians earn below $14.17 an hour, so the first year or two typically sits in that band. This is a role employers routinely fill with people who have no prior experience.
What do the highest-paid janitors and custodians earn?
The top 10% of janitors and custodians in Richmond, VA earn about $22.04 an hour or more, roughly 1.3× the median. Getting there usually means experience plus something specific — certifications, supervisory duties, specialised skills or premium shifts.
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 in Richmond, VA?
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.
Other roles in Richmond, VA
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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.