Janitor
Clean and maintain schools, offices, hospitals and buildings.
- $36,840
- A few days on the job
Hospitality, Food & Tourism career
Custodial Supervisor
Also called: Janitorial Supervisor · Housekeeping Supervisor · Environmental Services Supervisor · Building Services Supervisor
What custodial supervisors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a custodial supervisor do?
First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers directly supervise work activities of cleaning personnel in hotels, hospitals, offices and other establishments. The median pay is $49,100 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Experience plus supervisor training, and employment is projected to grow +3.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$49,100$23.61/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.2%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year30,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainExperience plus supervisor trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs265,200Employment, 2025
What custodial supervisors do
Custodial supervisors keep buildings clean. They schedule crews, assign areas, inspect work, train staff on chemicals and infection control, order supplies and respond to spills and special requests.
A high school diploma and some experience are typical. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Schedule crews
- Assign cleaning areas
- Inspect work
- Train staff
- Order supplies
- Handle special requests
- Ensure safety
Work environment and schedule
Supervisors work in schools, hospitals, offices and hotels.
Schedule: Often evening or night shifts.
A day in the life
- Review the night schedule.
- Brief the crew.
- Inspect restrooms.
- Train a new custodian.
See a full day in the life of a custodial supervisor →
Custodial Supervisor salary
Half of custodial supervisors earned more than $49,100 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,520 for the lowest 10% to $76,430 for the top 10%.
Full custodial supervisor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a custodial supervisor
- Work as a custodian
- Become a lead
- Learn scheduling and chemicals
- Earn a credential
- Become a supervisor
A high school diploma and some cleaning experience are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a custodial supervisor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Cleaning methods
- Chemical safety
- Infection control
- Scheduling
- Inspections
People skills
- Leadership
- Communication
- Organization
- Fairness
All custodial supervisor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Leadership without a degree
- Steady demand
- Benefits in schools and hospitals
- Clear results
Cons
- Night shifts
- Staffing shortages
- Physical walking
- Complaints
Certifications and licenses
- CEH or CHESP: Hospital environmental services credentials.
- ISSA CIMS training: Cleaning industry standard.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Bloodborne pathogens training: Required in hospitals.
Career path
- Custodian: Entry.
- Lead Custodian: Lead.
- Custodial Supervisor: Supervise.
- Facilities or EVS Manager: Manage.
Learn the job before day one
Our Custodial Supervisor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as inspect a cleaned area and build a custodial schedule, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Hotel Housekeeper
Clean and refresh guest rooms to keep hotels spotless and welcoming.
- $35,510
- 1–2 weeks
Facilities Manager
Keep buildings safe, working and efficient.
- $106,660
- Several years of experience
Building Maintenance Technician
Keep apartments, offices, schools and facilities running with everyday repairs.
- $49,590
- 3–12 months on the job
Compare: Custodial Supervisor vs. Janitor · Custodial Supervisor vs. Hotel Housekeeper · Custodial Supervisor vs. Facilities Manager · Custodial Supervisor vs. Building Maintenance Tech
Custodial Supervisor FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
What credentials help?
CHESP for hospitals; CIMS for buildings.
How much does a custodial supervisor make?
The median annual wage for custodial supervisors was $49,100 ($23.61 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,520 and the highest 10% earned more than $76,430.
How long does it take to become a custodial supervisor?
Most people need about Experience plus supervisor training of training. A high school diploma and some cleaning experience are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a custodial supervisor?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education.
More custodial supervisor questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 37-1011 (First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.