Top 10 Skills Needed for Custodial and Janitorial Jobs

Custodial workers typically maintain the property of public schools, hospitals, or businesses. They’re responsible for keeping a certain area clean, safe, and functioning properly. Each employer will have specific guidelines and needs for their custodial staff.

Custodial duties can include picking up trash, cleaning, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restocking or cleaning bathrooms, wiping windows, and executing minor repair work and maintenance work. Most custodial jobs don’t require formal education. However, high school courses in workshops can be helpful for jobs involving repair work.

While much of the learning is done on the job, there are certificates available through the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI), the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA), and the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA).

Different types of custodial jobs include janitors, custodians, building maintenance engineers, building superintendents, and building cleaners.

• Janitors are responsible for the day-to-day cleaning and maintenance of a building. They focus on keeping things dust-free by cleaning and polishing. They may also have outdoor responsibilities, like keeping the property litter-free and mowing the lawn. Additionally, they often lock properties and secure doors after hours.
  
  
• Custodians have similar responsibilities to those of janitors, but their specific duties vary based on the workplace. They are usually responsible for maintaining the building’s heating and air conditioning units as well.
  
  Generally, a custodian is someone who takes care of the same building or property at any given time of the day, whereas a janitor comes to a property at a specific time to clean. In larger companies, custodians frequently serve as team leaders over a crew of janitors responsible for cleaning tasks. They are also typically responsible for ordering cleaning supplies and work within a budget provided by management. When repairs need to be made, custodians notify management.
  
  
• Maintenance engineers are also tasked with keeping the property safe and clean. Maintenance engineers perform routine maintenance on electrical and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. They work on different machines, like those used in the health care facilities, aviation, and food preparation industries. They also typically coordinate cleaning schedules with the rest of the cleaning staff to ensure that cleanings aren’t disruptive to those occupying the building.
  
  
• Building superintendents maintain residential buildings, like apartments and condominiums. Some superintendents are responsible for collecting rent and showing vacancies to potential tenants.
  

Since most janitorial jobs don’t require formal education, the prevailing notion is that they’re fairly basic positions. However, custodial work is far from easy, and sometimes cleaning is only a part of the responsibilities. Some workers will find themselves leading a crew of cleaners and managing a whole list of tasks at any given time. Below we’ve outlined some essential skills that can help you flourish in these positions.

• Administrative skills. Janitors and cleaners work full-time and part-time schedules to keep all types of buildings clean, sanitary, and in overall good condition. As a custodian, you might be the manager of a team, so you should be able to delegate responsibilities accordingly. Time-management skills will also be important to keep track of inventory, order supplies, and schedule what tasks need to be done.

• Repair and maintenance skills. Even if you’re a part-time janitor, you won’t be able to clean if your equipment is busted. So if you have experience fixing specific brands or equipment — such as auto scrubbers, ride-on floor sweepers, or rotary floor machines — you’ll want to ensure that you include this information on your resume. It could very well give you a leg up on the competition.

• Attention to detail. As a janitor, your attention to detail is of the utmost importance to ensure that the property you’re overseeing stays sparkling. To be able to sufficiently keep things to a high standard, you’ll want to be a keen observer and hold yourself accountable for the smallest of details with minimal supervision.

• Self-discipline. Going hand-in-hand with attention to detail is the self-discipline required to not leave behind a job until it’s spotless. If you pride yourself on performing high-quality work, you should have no problem in this occupation.

• Organizational skills. As we mentioned earlier, janitors have their hands full with plenty of equipment. Sometimes spills, messes, and other emergencies happen, and you’ll be expected to react quickly. Organizational skills will help you know where things are and keep your workspaces, tools, equipment, and other supplies tidy.

• Cleaning skills. While all janitorial and custodial work will include some type of cleaning, each property may require a different approach. Be ready for buffing, mopping, dusting, scrubbing, burnishing, sweeping, and waxing. Specialized knowledge regarding sanitation, safety, and chemical use are also attractive skills employers consider when looking for a qualified custodial worker. Since some employers might prefer to use environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions, you should also mention if you have experience or knowledge of different cleaning supplies.

• Interpersonal skills. These soft skills will come into play more for individuals who work on a maintenance crew with other team members, where collaboration will be key to your success. You should be able to give and receive constructive feedback, direct other team members with patience, and hold others accountable for their work.

• Customer service skills. Some custodial teams will work for private clients, so providing them with the right kind of customer service will be imperative to maintaining a good relationship going forward. Many positions in this field may also interact directly with students, health care workers, hotel guests, or professionals in various environments. Whether in a school, hospital, hotel, or office space, you should be courteous to the people within.

• Problem-solving skills. When you boil it down, janitors, at their core, are problem solvers. Check job descriptions as you apply to see the specific tasks your employer might need. Depending on the facility the custodian is servicing, they might also be responsible for outdoor maintenance, like shoveling snow, keeping windows clean, or mowing the grass. You should be comfortable doing all the above.

• Advanced maintenance skills. Some custodians are also responsible for repairing minor electrical or plumbing problems, like leaky faucets, so the more mechanically minded you are, the farther you can go.

Since custodians must often transport cleaning materials and equipment, physical stamina and strength are also important qualities. For example, trash receptacles can be heavy. Moving furniture and fixtures can also be physically demanding.

Custodial workers increasingly receive safety and ergonomics training to prevent injury. Common injuries to be mindful of are minor cuts, bruises, and burns from machines, tools, and chemicals. Proper safety precautions should be taken when dealing with hazardous chemicals.

A commonly perceived danger for custodial workers in the health care sector is exposure to pathogens. Since custodial workers are responsible for keeping spaces safe and slip-free, they might also be exposed to these risks themselves. Providing slip-resistant footwear and proper training are ways employers can help mitigate these risks.

If you’re concerned about safety and injuries on the job, make sure you find an employer with insurance and policies that align with your needs.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for janitors and building cleaners was $14.31 in May of 2021. The median annual wage was $29,760. Most custodian jobs are full-time, whereas janitorial work can be either full-time or part-time.

Since many of the buildings are cleaned after hours, many cleaners work evening hours. If there is a need for 24-hour maintenance, which is often the case in hospitals and hotels, cleaners work in shifts.

However, each company will be different in the hours they require, the wages they provide, and the overtime they may offer. Weekend rates may also vary by employer.

Janitors and building cleaners held about 2.2 million jobs in 2020. The largest employers in this industry were services to buildings and dwellings (37%), elementary and secondary schools, (13%), health care and social assistance (7%), government (5%), and religious, grant-making, civic, professional, and similar organizations (5%).

In May of 2021, the median hourly wages for janitors and building cleaners in the top industries were as follows: $17.92 for jobs at government facilities; $14.78 for elementary and secondary school facilities; $14.41 for health care and social assistance facilities; $14.38 for religious, grant-making, civic, professional, and similar organizations facilities; and $13.98 for services to buildings and dwellings.

As far as job outlook, employment of janitors and building cleaners is projected to grow 6% from 2020 to 2030.

According to our research, some of the most popular states and cities hiring custodians include:

• Texas: Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio
• Ohio: Cincinnati and Columbus
• Florida: Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville
• Arizona: Phoenix
• California: San Diego and Los Angeles
• New Mexico: Albuquerque
• Missouri: Saint Louis
• Nevada: Las Vegas
• Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh
• Oklahoma: Tulsa
• Illinois: Chicago

There's a paradigm shift at work in this country, and it affects blue-collar workers. A February 2022 report was published exploring a feeling of renewed respect sweeping across the blue-collar workforce. Of the 2,000 workers polled who perform manual labor, 91% said they are proud of their work, and over half feel more respected and appreciated than before the pandemic.

This includes maintenance workers, who bore the brunt of ensuring facilities were safely disinfected so essential workers could carry out their duties during the darkest days of COVID-19. They put themselves in harm's way while worrying about their family at home. As the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund (MCTF) put it, "janitors are [America's] unseen essential workers."

If you're a janitor or custodian — or interested in becoming one — these words should instill you with an immense sense of pride. Channel that feeling when crafting your resume. Though cleaning and maintenance are universal tasks that most of us will do at some point, not everyone is cut out for this kind of work. Let your resume reflect that. Prospective employers will want to know if you have any experience managing a team, and what types of equipment, chemicals, and surfaces you've worked with in the past. You should strive to have your technical know-how and diligence in finishing the task at hand shine through in every bulleted list.

When browsing custodial jobs, including what each company might require and have to offer, you can use Joblist’s responsive search feature. Enter “custodial jobs” and fill in your preferred search criteria to find jobs curated just for you.

You can also save jobs that stand out to you and apply later. With strong projected growth, custodial jobs are in higher demand than in previous years.

Custodial jobs can offer a reliable career path — especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic when keeping workplaces, hospitals, schools, and other facilities clean is more important than ever.

To learn more about custodial jobs and openings near you, check out Joblist for a customized experience that can put you in touch with the right job.