Custodian Job Description Template and Examples 2025

Updated 2025/11 — This custodian job description blog gives you a copy-ready template, setting-specific examples, salary guidance, and compliance language so you can publish a complete, transparent posting today.

What Is a Custodian? (Quick Definition)

Here’s a plain-language definition so your posting aligns with what candidates expect.

A custodian maintains the cleanliness, safety, and basic upkeep of buildings and grounds.

The role typically includes:

Daily cleaning
Trash removal
Restroom sanitation
Simple maintenance tasks
Event setups and breakdowns
Routine safety checks

Custodians work across schools, hospitals, offices, and public spaces to keep facilities clean, stocked, and hazard-free for occupants.

Expect frequent interaction with building users and coordination with facilities staff to keep operations running smoothly.

Core Responsibilities of a Custodian

Here are the core duties hiring managers expect from a custodian. This section helps you clarify scope and set realistic workload expectations.

Custodians manage a mix of cleaning, light maintenance, and safety tasks. They operate equipment, follow chemical handling procedures, respond to work orders, and support events or seasonal deep cleans.

In many organizations, custodians also help monitor inventory and report building issues. Framing your posting with these themes helps candidates self-assess and reduces mismatched applications.

Use the following lists to assemble a balanced, copy-ready custodian job responsibilities list in your posting.

Daily tasks

These daily tasks anchor the role and should be prioritized on a custodian schedule.

Sweep, mop, vacuum, and dust common areas, offices, classrooms, and corridors
Clean, sanitize, and restock restrooms and break areas to hygiene standards
Empty and dispose of trash and recycling; replace liners and manage waste rooms
Spot-clean glass, walls, and high-touch surfaces; respond to spills immediately
Replenish supplies (paper, soap, sanitizer) and track inventory usage
Lock/unlock doors, secure spaces, and set up rooms/furniture per event needs
Complete work orders and log tasks in a CMMS or work order app

Periodic and deep-clean tasks

These duties happen weekly, monthly, or seasonally and should be scheduled.

Deep-clean floors (scrub, strip, wax, burnish) and shampoo carpets
Clean vents, blinds, high surfaces, and light fixtures; remove cobwebs
Pressure wash exterior walkways and clean entrances/lobbies
Perform minor repairs (replace bulbs/filters, tighten hardware, patch scuffs)
Service equipment (inspect cords, replace pads/filters, clean tanks)
Assist with snow/ice removal and seasonal groundskeeping as needed
Support moves, surplus pickup, and large-scale event setups/breakdowns

Safety and hazard prevention

Safety is core to a custodian’s work and should be explicit in your job description.

Follow OSHA Hazard Communication (HazCom) for chemical handling and labeling
Use proper PPE; set wet-floor signs; cordon off hazards; report unsafe conditions
Handle sharps and bodily fluid cleanups per Bloodborne Pathogens protocol
Store chemicals with dilution control; never mix incompatible products
Lockout/tagout equipment as directed by facilities procedures
Conduct routine safety checks (exits, fire extinguishers, trip hazards)
Participate in safety meetings, drills, and incident reporting

Requirements, Skills, and Certifications

Set clear, realistic qualifications to improve applicant quality and reduce misalignment.

Many employers hire for reliability and train on equipment and chemicals.

You can differentiate “minimum” vs. “preferred” to broaden your candidate pool while still highlighting excellence. Clear requirements also help you comply with pay transparency and fair-chance laws by showing how pay relates to skills.

Minimum requirements (education/experience)

Use these as baseline custodian requirements to attract qualified applicants.

High school diploma or equivalent (GED) or relevant experience
6+ months of custodial, janitorial, housekeeping, or facilities experience
Ability to read safety labels/SDS and follow written and verbal instructions
Basic mechanical aptitude for light repairs and equipment use
Ability to work assigned shifts, including occasional weekends/holidays

Preferred skills and soft skills

These skills elevate performance, safety, and customer satisfaction.

Experience with floor care (strip, wax, burnish) and carpet extraction
Familiarity with CMMS/work order apps and inventory tracking
Strong attention to detail, time management, and accountability
Customer service mindset; professional, respectful communication
Teamwork across facilities, maintenance, and security

Safety training and credentials (OSHA, HazCom, BBP)

Signal your safety culture and any credentials you’ll accept or train.

OSHA 10 General Industry or equivalent safety orientation (preferred)
Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200) training (required or within 30 days)
Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030) for BBP cleanups (required in healthcare)
Ladder safety, slips/trips/falls prevention, and ergonomic lifting
Chemical-specific training (dilution systems, disinfectants) and SDS access

Physical Demands and Work Environment (ADA-Compliant Wording)

Use clear, essential-function language and invite accommodations. Avoid blanket exclusions.

This role works in occupied buildings and utility areas with frequent walking, standing, lifting, and equipment use. Conditions may include noise, odors, temperature changes, and exposure to cleaning chemicals using proper PPE.

Keep descriptions objective and tied to essential functions to support ADA compliance.

Sample ADA-compliant phrasing (tailor to your site):

This role frequently involves standing, walking, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling carts and equipment.
Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs occasionally and 25 lbs frequently, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Regular use of custodial equipment (auto-scrubbers, vacuums) and ladders/step stools.
Work may occur during off-hours and include responding to spills or urgent cleanups.
We provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Tools, Equipment, Chemicals, and PPE

List typical tools and PPE so candidates understand the safety and technical expectations.

Custodians operate powered and manual equipment and handle EPA-registered disinfectants and other cleaning agents. Clear expectations support safer work and lower equipment damage.

If you use site-specific brands or systems, add them so new hires can ramp up faster.

Common tools, supplies, and PPE:

Equipment: commercial vacuums, backpack vacs, auto-scrubbers, burnishers, extractors, floor buffers, wet/dry vacs, pressure washers
Hand tools: dust mops, microfiber systems, squeegees, putty knives, basic repair tools
Chemicals: neutral/alkaline cleaners, disinfectants, glass cleaners, degreasers, floor finishes/strippers (per SDS and dilution control)
PPE: gloves (nitrile), safety glasses, non-slip footwear, aprons/coveralls, hearing protection, masks/respirators as required by SDS and policy
Digital: CMMS or mobile work-order apps; inventory and inspection checklists

Green cleaning and sustainability practices:

Use Green Seal/UL ECOLOGO-certified products and low-VOC options where feasible
Standardize microfiber and color-coding to reduce cross-contamination
Adopt dilution control to minimize waste and exposure
Prioritize daytime cleaning where practicable to reduce energy usage
Track consumables and reduce liners and single-use plastics where allowed

Shifts, Scheduling, and Coverage

Outline shift models to match building usage and service level agreements (SLAs).

Custodial coverage often blends day, swing, and night shifts to balance visibility, occupant support, and deep-clean windows. Clarify on-call, overtime, weekend, and holiday expectations to avoid surprises.

Note any union bidding or seniority rules so candidates understand how assignments change over time.

Common scheduling options:

Day shift (visible service, restocking, incident response)
Swing/afternoon shift (post-occupancy cleaning and setups)
Night shift (deep cleans, floor care, project work)
Rotating weekends/holidays; on-call coverage for floods, weather, or events
Team structures by zone or building; union seniority/bidding may apply

Pay, Benefits, and Transparency

Post a pay range with source notes to improve conversion and comply with pay-transparency laws.

Use market data (BLS, O*NET, local postings, union contracts) and add differentials for nights, weekends, or specialized certifications. Revisit ranges annually to account for inflation and labor market shifts.

When you publish, include how pay is determined (experience, shift, certifications) to set expectations.

National and regional pay ranges (with sources/date)

As of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2023 release (Janitors and Cleaners, SOC 37-2011), the national median wage provides a reliable baseline.

Cross-check your city using OEWS or recent public postings to set a competitive, transparent range. Adjust for sector norms—healthcare and unionized roles often pay more than small commercial sites.

Examples to localize your range (verify before posting):

New York City: often higher due to cost of living and union scales; many postings show hourly rates in the low-to-mid $20s
San Francisco Bay Area: commonly upper teens to mid-$20s per hour, with differentials for nights
Chicago: mid-teens to low-$20s per hour, with public sector roles sometimes higher
Dallas–Fort Worth: mid-teens to high-teens per hour; benefits packages vary widely
Phoenix: mid-teens to high-teens per hour; floor-care skills can command a premium

Method tip: Set a midpoint near the latest BLS median for your metro, then publish a range around that midpoint (e.g., ±10–15%) and note shift/certification differentials.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2023 (released 2024); O*NET OnLine task and skill taxonomy; local postings and union contracts where applicable.

Common benefits and differentials (shift, certifications)

Make total compensation explicit to improve applicant quality.

Health, dental, vision; HSA/FSA options
Paid time off, holidays, and sick leave; floating holidays
Retirement plan (401(k)/403(b)) with employer match
Uniforms, footwear stipend, and PPE provided
Paid training (floor care, HazCom, BBP) and certification premiums
Shift differentials for nights/weekends; on-call/OT pay
Transit or parking benefits; tuition or certification reimbursement

Setting-Specific Variants (Copy-Ready Examples)

Use these examples to tailor the custodian job description to your environment.

School custodian job description example

Clean and sanitize classrooms, restrooms, cafeterias, gyms, and buses as assigned
Support classroom setups, assemblies, and athletic events with equipment/furniture moves
Maintain hallways, lockers, and entrances; remove snow/ice and apply deicer
Restock and track supplies; secure classrooms and monitor lost-and-found
Perform minor repairs (hinges, floor tiles, bulbs) and promptly report hazards
Follow district safety protocols, including HazCom and BBP for student incidents
Collaborate with teachers, office staff, and security to support a safe campus

Hospital/EVS custodian job description example

Perform terminal cleans and daily disinfection of patient rooms, ORs, and isolation areas
Follow infection prevention protocols (contact/droplet/airborne precautions) and BBP
Handle regulated medical waste, sharps containers, and soiled linen per policy
Clean waiting rooms, restrooms, labs, and staff areas to hospital standards
Use EPA-registered disinfectants and document contact times and room turnovers
Coordinate with nursing/EVS leads for STAT cleanups and bed-ready priorities
Maintain equipment, replace pads/filters, and restock carts by zone assignments

Office/commercial custodian job description example

Clean lobbies, conference rooms, workstations, restrooms, and pantries per nightly route
Vacuum, dust, spot-clean glass/partitions, and sanitize high-touch surfaces
Maintain supply rooms; replenish paper, soap, and coffee area items
Set up meeting rooms and special events; return spaces to standard layout
Perform floor care and carpet extraction per monthly/quarterly schedule
Respond to tenant work orders via CMMS and close out tasks on time
Follow building security procedures; lock/unlock and alarm as required

Custodian vs. Janitor vs. Porter vs. EVS Technician

Choose the title that best matches duties and industry norms to reach the right candidates.

Custodian: Broad building care role covering cleaning, minor maintenance, and safety across schools, offices, and public buildings.
Janitor: Often synonymous with custodian; sometimes used more for night cleaning or contracted roles.
Porter: Visible, guest-facing role focused on lobby/common-area upkeep, restocking, and quick response during operating hours.
EVS Technician: Healthcare-specific custodial role emphasizing infection prevention, BBP, and room turnover protocols.

KPIs and Quality Standards for Custodial Roles

Define measurable outcomes so custodians know how success is evaluated.

Sample KPIs and SLAs:

Work order response and completion times (e.g., respond within 30 minutes; resolve within 24 hours)
Inspection scores/pass rates on scheduled checklists (e.g., 95%+ pass)
Restroom quality metrics (e.g., complaints per 10,000 occupant hours)
Floor care schedule adherence (e.g., 100% of planned deep cleans completed monthly)
Safety: zero recordable incidents; near-miss reporting participation
Inventory variance and cost per square foot within target range
Customer satisfaction (tenant/staff surveys) at or above benchmark

In-House vs. Outsourced Custodial Services: How to Decide

Use a structured approach to determine staffing strategy based on cost, control, and risk.

In-house teams offer culture fit, control, and institutional knowledge. Vendors provide scalability, specialized training, and simplified administration.

Many organizations use a hybrid model (in-house for day porters; outsourced for night and deep cleans). Decide based on your compliance, quality, and flexibility needs—not just headline hourly rates.

Decision criteria:

Scope and complexity: Healthcare and labs may favor specialized vendors; schools often benefit from in-house continuity
Cost predictability: Vendors provide fixed rates; in-house teams offer wage transparency and retention benefits
Quality control: In-house enables direct supervision; vendors require robust SLAs and inspections
Flexibility and coverage: Vendors can flex staff quickly; in-house may need on-call pools
Union and compliance: Consider collective bargaining, living-wage, and prevailing-wage requirements

Copy-Paste Custodian Job Description Template

Use this custodian job description template as your starting point and tailor for your setting.

Job Title: Custodian

Summary

We are hiring a Custodian to keep our facilities clean, safe, and well-maintained. You will perform daily cleaning, periodic deep cleans, minor repairs, and safety checks while delivering excellent service to building occupants.

Responsibilities

Clean and sanitize restrooms, break rooms, offices, and common areas; restock supplies
Sweep, mop, vacuum, and dust; empty trash/recycling and manage waste rooms
Respond to spills and urgent cleanups; set safety signage and follow HazCom/BBP
Perform periodic floor care (scrub, strip, wax, burnish) and carpet extraction
Support room setups, events, and moves; secure spaces by opening/closing procedures
Complete work orders in our CMMS; report maintenance and safety issues
Maintain equipment (inspect cords, change pads/filters) and storage areas
Assist with exterior tasks (entrances, sidewalks, snow/ice) as assigned

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent; 6+ months of custodial/janitorial experience
Ability to read/follow SDS and safety instructions; basic mechanical aptitude
Familiarity with commercial cleaning equipment and safe chemical use
Customer service skills; reliable, punctual, and team-oriented
Preferred: floor care expertise; CMMS experience; OSHA/HazCom/BBP training

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and pushing/pulling carts and equipment
Lift/move up to 50 lbs occasionally and 25 lbs frequently, with or without reasonable accommodation
Work in occupied spaces and utility areas; exposure to cleaning chemicals with PPE provided
Night/weekend/holiday shifts may be required

Schedule

[Day/Swing/Night], [Full-time/Part-time], [Rotating weekends/on-call as needed]

Pay and Benefits

Pay range: [Insert localized hourly range] plus [shift differential/cert premiums if any]
Benefits: [Health, dental, vision], paid time off, retirement plan, uniforms/PPE, paid training

EEO/ADA

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and provide reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process and on the job.

Background Checks

Employment is contingent on [applicable background checks consistent with law]. We follow FCRA, ban-the-box, and state/local requirements.

How to tailor this template (fast): 1) Insert your setting (school, hospital, office) into the Summary.

2) Select the relevant responsibilities and add any unique tasks (e.g., terminal cleans).

3) Set schedule specifics (shift, weekends, on-call) and union notes if applicable.

4) Publish a localized pay range with shift/certification differentials.

5) Add your EEO statement, accommodation contact, and background check language.

Compliance Boilerplate: EEO/ADA and Background Checks

Post the statements candidates and regulators expect to see.

EEO: “We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”
ADA accommodations: “We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance completing the application or during the interview process, contact [email/contact method].”
Background checks: State the type (e.g., criminal background, employment verification, motor vehicle if driving) and timing (post-conditional offer), and note FCRA-compliant authorization/disclosure. Include ban-the-box/local fair-chance statements where required.
Safety training: Indicate required pre-hire or post-hire training (HazCom, BBP, site-specific safety) and PPE provided at no cost.
Pay transparency: If your jurisdiction requires, include your wage range and how pay is determined (experience, skills, shift).

Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Consult counsel to adapt language to your jurisdiction, including union/prevailing wage requirements.

FAQs

What does a custodian do each day?

Custodians clean and sanitize restrooms and common areas, sweep/mop/vacuum floors, empty trash and recycling, restock supplies, and respond to spills or work orders.

Many also open/close buildings, set up rooms for meetings, and report maintenance issues so facilities stay safe and operational. On larger sites, duties may rotate by zone or shift to balance coverage.

What certifications are required or preferred?

Most employers provide training, but many prefer OSHA-aligned safety training.

Common items include Hazard Communication (HazCom), Bloodborne Pathogens (healthcare/BBP cleanups), ladder and ergonomic training, and sometimes OSHA 10 General Industry. Floor care certifications and CMMS proficiency are valuable differentiators.

How much does a custodian make? (Updated 2025/11)

BLS OEWS data (May 2023, released 2024) for Janitors and Cleaners (SOC 37-2011) provides the national median baseline.

Local pay varies by city, sector, union status, and shift. Publish a localized range using BLS metro data plus recent postings, and include differentials for nights/weekends and specialized credentials. Revisit annually to keep pace with inflation and contracts.

Is custodian the same as janitor?

Often, yes—many organizations use the titles interchangeably.

“Custodian” can imply broader building care and light maintenance, while “janitor” may emphasize cleaning tasks. Choose the title your candidates search for in your industry and region.

How should I phrase physical requirements and accommodations?

Describe essential functions (standing, walking, lifting, equipment use) with objective, job-related terms, and add “with or without reasonable accommodation.”

Invite accommodation requests and provide a contact method. Avoid blanket exclusions or non-essential requirements.

Sources and Methodology

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners (SOC 37-2011), May 2023 (released 2024)
O*NET OnLine, 37-2011 Janitors and Cleaners: tasks, knowledge, skills, and work context
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (HazCom)
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens
NIOSH guidance on chemical handling, PPE, and ergonomics

Salary method: We recommend combining (1) BLS OEWS national and metro medians for SOC 37-2011, (2) 30–60 days of local postings (public sector, healthcare, education, commercial), and (3) union or prevailing wage data where applicable.

Set a midpoint near your metro median, publish a range around it, and state factors affecting pay (experience, shift, certifications). Refresh ranges annually or when contracts/laws change.

If you need a customized custodian job description template for your setting, copy the template above and adjust the responsibilities, schedule, and pay details to match your site and local regulations.