Custodial Supervisor
Lead cleaning crews in schools, hospitals, offices and hotels.
- $49,100
- Experience plus supervisor training
Hospitality, Food & Tourism career
Janitor
Also called: Custodian · Cleaner · Building Cleaner · Environmental Services Worker
What janitors 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 janitor do?
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners, keep buildings in clean and orderly condition and perform minor maintenance. The median pay is $36,840 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days on the job, and employment is projected to grow +2.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$36,840$17.71/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+2.2%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year321,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few days on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs2,432,600Employment, 2025
What janitors do
Janitors keep buildings clean and safe. They clean restrooms and floors, empty trash, disinfect high-touch surfaces, strip and wax floors, do minor repairs and report maintenance problems.
No formal education is required, and training is short. It is one of the largest occupations, and BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Clean restrooms
- Mop and vacuum
- Empty trash
- Disinfect surfaces
- Strip and wax floors
- Do minor repairs
- Report problems
Work environment and schedule
Janitors work in schools, offices, hospitals and factories.
Schedule: Often evenings or nights.
A day in the life
- Clock in and get assignments.
- Empty trash.
- Clean restrooms.
- Vacuum offices.
See a full day in the life of a janitor →
Janitor salary
Half of janitors earned more than $36,840 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $28,640 for the lowest 10% to $50,270 for the top 10%.
Full janitor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a janitor
- Apply
- Complete safety training
- Learn routes and methods
- Learn floor care
- Advance
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a janitor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Cleaning methods
- Floor care
- Chemical use
- Restroom sanitation
- Minor repairs
People skills
- Reliability
- Independence
- Attention to detail
- Trustworthiness
All janitor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Many openings
- Short training
- Independent work
- Benefits in schools and hospitals
Cons
- Physical work
- Night shifts
- Chemical exposure
- Low pay
Certifications and licenses
- Bloodborne pathogens training: Hospitals and schools.
- Chemical safety training: Employer.
- Floor care training: Helpful.
- CIMS training: Helpful.
Career path
- Janitor: Entry.
- Lead Custodian: Lead.
- Custodial Supervisor: Supervise.
- Facilities Manager: Manage.
Learn the job before day one
Our Janitor training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as clean a restroom thoroughly and strip and wax a floor, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Hotel Housekeeper
Clean and refresh guest rooms to keep hotels spotless and welcoming.
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Building Maintenance Technician
Keep apartments, offices, schools and facilities running with everyday repairs.
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Dishwasher
Keep the kitchen running by washing dishes, pots and equipment.
- $34,810
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Compare: Janitor vs. Custodial Supervisor · Janitor vs. Hotel Housekeeper · Janitor vs. Building Maintenance Tech · Janitor vs. Dishwasher
Janitor FAQ
Do I need experience?
No.
Is the job in demand?
Yes, it’s one of the largest occupations.
Can I move up?
Yes, to lead or supervisor.
How much does a janitor make?
The median annual wage for janitors was $36,840 ($17.71 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $28,640 and the highest 10% earned more than $50,270.
How long does it take to become a janitor?
Most people need about A few days on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a janitor?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 37-2011 (Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners (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.