Administrative
Elementary School Custodian / Janitor
Maintains cleanliness and safety of school facilities
- Pay range
- $25,000–$42,000
- Median
- $32,000
- Education
- High school diploma
- Job outlook
- Stable
What you'll do
- Clean classrooms and common areas
- Maintain restroom cleanliness
- Set up for events and activities
- Perform minor repairs
- Monitor building security
- Handle waste management
A typical day
- Unlock building and check systems
- Clean and sanitize spaces
- Empty trash and recycling
- Floor care and maintenance
- Respond to cleaning emergencies
- Set up cafeteria and events
- Evening deep cleaning
Education & certification path
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Custodial experience helpful
- Basic maintenance skills
- Safety training
Required certifications
- Background check
- Safety training certification
- Chemical handling training
Career progression
- Custodian → Lead Custodian
- Head Custodian
- Building Engineer
- Facilities Supervisor
Where and when you'll work
- Work environment
- Throughout school building, physical work, chemical exposure
- Typical schedule
- 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM or 2:30 PM - 11:00 PM shifts
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school custodian make?
Elementary school custodians typically earn between $30,000 and $52,000 per year, with a median around $38,000, paid hourly. Pay varies widely by district and region: unionized and higher-cost-of-living districts pay toward the top of the range, and lead or head custodians earn more. Full-time school custodian positions usually include health insurance and participation in the state public-employee pension, which is a significant part of total compensation.
Do you need a degree to be a school custodian?
No. A high school diploma or equivalent is the usual requirement, along with a background check. Custodial or maintenance experience helps but is not always required — many districts train new hires. Some roles that involve operating a building's heating and cooling systems (often titled "building engineer") require a boiler or HVAC certificate, which can raise pay.
What does a school custodian do all day?
A school custodian keeps the building clean, safe, and running: cleaning and sanitizing classrooms and restrooms, emptying trash and recycling, floor care, minor repairs, setting up and breaking down for events and cafeteria service, monitoring building security, and responding to spills and emergencies during the day. Day-shift custodians handle live-building needs while evening-shift custodians do deep cleaning after dismissal.
What hours does a school custodian work?
Most school custodians work a full-time shift, commonly 6:00 AM–2:30 PM (day) or 2:30 PM–11:00 PM (evening). Positions generally follow the school calendar, though many custodians also work through the summer on deep-cleaning and building projects. Evening shifts sometimes pay a small shift differential.
How do you become a school custodian?
Apply directly through the school district's employment page, not an individual school. You will need a completed application and to pass a background check and, in many districts, chemical-handling and safety training that the district provides. Custodial jobs are also a common entry point into schools that can lead to lead custodian, head custodian, or building engineer roles over time.