How Much Does a Custodian Make in 2025?
Consistent throughout the years, the U.S. BLS has reported that custodians have an average job outlook of 3% for 2023 to 2033. Salary.com's data also shows custodians to have 25.41% more job postings for 2024 as well, further corroborating the aforementioned data.
Salary.com has also reported that custodians have a median salary of $36,300 per year in the United States for 2025. Read this salary guide to have a more comprehensive overview of custodians, job descriptions, FAQs, and job expectations.
What does a Custodian Do?
A custodian’s key role is to clean and maintain a building’s cleanliness by performing basic maintenance tasks like sweeping hallway floors or clearing snow from driveways. Most custodians work full-time, but part-time work is also available as well.
As per Salary.com, most custodian jobs require at least a high school diploma. They usually report to a supervisor or an immediate manager, and it usually requires 0 to 1 year of general work experience to apply for an entry-level position
What is a Custodian's Salary Overview?
The average salary for custodians in the United States in 2025 is $36,300 per year or $17 per hour, as of February 1, 2025.
Based on Salary.com salary data, a custodian’s salary range is between $29,613 to $45,279 per year, with most earning between $32,800 and $41,000. A custodian’s salary per month is $3, 025.
The salary for custodians averages $17 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $14 to $22. The average weekly salary for custodians is $698, with weekly pay ranging from $569 to $871.
2025 Custodian Average Salary: $36,300 per year ($17 per hour)
Meanwhile, the median core compensation for a custodian is $36,700 per year, including salary and bonuses, and varies depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $29,631 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 |
| 50th Percentile | $36,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,500 |
| 90th Percentile | $45,870 |
On the other hand, a custodian's total salary in the US is $56,634, according to Salary.com report. The total compensation package includes benefits like healthcare ($8,352), time off ($4,157), and Social Security ($2,808), which make up 27.7% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $36,300 | 64.1% |
| Bonus | $400 | 0.7% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $2,808 | 5.0% |
| 401K/403B | $1,541 | 2.7% |
| Disability | $734 | 1.3% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 14.7% |
| Pension | $1,982 | 3.5% |
| Time Off | $4,517 | 8.0% |
| Total Compensation | $56,634 | 100% |
What Can Affect a Custodian’s Salary?
Various factors such as experience level, geographic location, education, and skills can significantly influence the salary of a custodian. Below is a breakdown of key salary components:
By Experience Level
Salary.com data shows that entry-level custodians who entered their organization with less than one year of experience pay $35,291. In contrast, custodians with eight or more years of expertise, considered expert-level professionals, can expect to earn an average annual salary of $38,004 per year.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Custodian | $35,291 |
| Intermediate Level Custodian | $35,900 |
| Senior Level Custodian | $37,443 |
| Specialist Level Custodian | $37,654 |
| Expert Level Custodian | $38,004 |
By Geographic Location
Salary for custodians in the United States vary by geographic location due to key factors like cost of living, the local economy, and industry presence.
Among the hot cities in the United States, San Francisco, CA reports the highest average salary at $45,300, while Dallas, Texas, and Miami, Florida, reflect lower average salaries at $35,800 and $35,000 respectively.
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $41,000 | $45,300 | $51,200 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $36,500 | $40,400 | $45,600 |
| Miami, Florida | $31,600 | $35,000 | $39,500 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $34,400 | $38,000 | $43,000 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $36,800 | $40,600 | $45,900 |
| New York, New York | $38,300 | $42,300 | $47,800 |
| Dallas, Texas | $32,400 | $35,800 | $40,400 |
By Skills
The Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Report has suggested that knowledge about preventative maintenance and housekeeping skills can boost the salary for custodians by 9.28% and 5.36%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Preventative Maintenance | 2.14% | +9.28% |
| Housekeeping Services | 15.20% | +5.36% |
| Cleaning/Sanitation | 10.43% | +5.01% |
| Facilities Maintenance | 3.66% | +4.94% |
| Safety Procedures | 3.60% | +4.54% |
| Safety Policies and Procedures | 3.81% | +3.53% |
By Education
Although most custodian jobs only require a high school diploma, the vast majority of employed custodians possess a high school diploma (76.8%). Associate and bachelor's degree holders are the next most prominent ones, holding at least 10.6% and 7% of positions respectively.
| Degree Level | % of Users with this Level of Education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 5.6% |
| High School | 76.8% |
| Associates | 10.6% |
| Bachelors | 7.0% |
How to Become a Custodian
To become a custodian, consider following these steps:
- Acquire a high school diploma: Although the role of a custodian doesn’t usually require a high school diploma, having one can not only increase your prospects of being hired, but also having a higher base salary compared to your peers.
- Learn the needed skills: Since being a custodian usually requires maintaining a building’s cleanliness, knowing the basics of building maintenance and the like can help make the job easier, along with being a more tempting hire for employers.
- Get the required certification: Though there aren’t a lot of certifications for custodians, a certification from the Building Service Contractors Association International, the ISSA, or The International Sanitary Supply Association, and IEHA can help custodians negotiate a better salary.
What are the FAQs about Custodians?
Here are the most common questions about the salary of a custodian.
What is the top pay for a custodian?
As of February 2025, the top salary for custodians in the United States with more than 8 years of experience is $38,004. However, the 90th percentile of custodians have a salary of $45,870, which equates to $22 per hour or $3,773 per month.
What are the qualifications for a custodian job?
A custodian's duty usually boils down to these specific tasks:
- Maintain and ensure the building's overall cleanliness.
- Help grow plants that will make the building look better.
- Carry equipment from one building to another.
- Support the cleaning staff with their general tasks.
Is a custodian the same as a janitor?
No. Janitors are only responsible for cleaning and sweeping buildings, whereas custodians have a broader job description which includes overall building maintenance.
