Custodian

Print

Work Tasks

CUSTODIANS keep schools, office buildings, stores, hospitals, apartment houses, hotels, factories, and other buildings clean and in good condition. They fix leaky faucets, make repairs, change light bulbs, and do minor painting and carpentry. They make sure the heating and air-conditioning equipment are working properly and tend furnaces and boilers. Custodians also collect trash, and clean and restock restrooms. Other duties of custodians may involve vacuuming carpets, wet or dry-mopping and waxing floors, and dusting and polishing furniture. They may clean walls, windows, ceilings, draperies, upholstery, and light fixtures.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $26,000 average per year ($12.50 per hour)
• A very large occupation (2,070,900 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow slowly (0.4% per year)

Entry Requirements

No special education is required for most CUSTODIAN jobs, but beginners should know simple arithmetic and be able to follow instructions. High school shop courses are helpful for jobs that need repair work. Most custodians learn their skills on the job. Custodians need no license or certificate.