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How much does a Custodian III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Custodian III in the United States is $46,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, a Custodian III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $55,470
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,500 to $51,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,040

Key Factors That Influence Custodian III Salaries

A Custodian III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Custodian Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Custodian III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Custodian I (0-1 years): $37,306
  • Custodian II (1-3 years): $41,736
  • Custodian III (3-5 years): $46,229
  • Custodial Supervisor (5+ years): $55,422
  • Custodial Manager (5+ years): $78,096
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Custodian I0-1 years$37,306
Custodian II1-3 years$41,736
Custodian III3-5 years$46,229
Custodial Supervisor5+ years$55,422
Custodial Manager5+ years$78,096

Top Paying Cities for Custodian IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $58,400
  • San Francisco: $57,700
  • Oakland: $56,500

Custodian III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Custodian III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $51,742. While startup companies pay approximate $43,769.

Custodian III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $43,769
Growth Stage 51~500 $46,290
Established 501~5000 $49,964
Enterprise 5000+ $51,742

Custodian III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Custodian III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Custodian positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Custodian III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Custodian III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$55,560$27.020%

Custodian III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Custodian III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$42,500
Average $46,300/year
$51,100
$3,542
Average $3,858/month
$4,258
$817
Average $890/week
$983
$20
Average $22/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $51,100 $4,258 $983 $25
Average $46,300 $3,858 $890 $22
25th Percentile $42,500 $3,542 $817 $20

Custodian III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Custodian III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Custodial Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $55,500 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Custodian III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Custodian III

Here are companies hiring for Custodian III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Custodian III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Custodian III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Custodian III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is a S3 job level?

A S3 job level is a senior-level position that involves performing complex tasks. It typically requires considerable related experience and expertise. In terms of salary, custodians at this level can expect to earn between $41,900 and $55,000, with a mid-range salary of approximately $47,400.

3. What states pay childcare workers the most?

This map illustrates the states in the U.S. shaded by average wage for childcare workers. In 2020, the states with the highest average annual wages were District of Columbia ($23,068), Maryland ($20,595), and Massachusetts ($20,216). For custodians, salaries range from $41,900 to $55,000, with a midpoint of $47,400, reflecting a competitive wage landscape.

4. Who is the highest paid janitor?

The average salary for a custodian ranges from $41,900 to $55,000, with a mid-salary of $47,400. While some custodians may earn significantly more due to overtime or special circumstances, the typical earnings are much lower than the extraordinary case of a janitor in San Francisco who reportedly made over $275,000 in 2015.

5. How much does an S3 make?

The salary for a Custodian typically ranges from $41,900 to $55,000 per year, with a mid-range salary of approximately $47,400. This reflects the compensation structure for custodial roles, which may vary based on experience and location.

6. What states pay custodians the most?

The highest paying cities for custodians in the United States include Portland, OR, with an hourly rate of $20.01, translating to an annual salary of approximately $41,800. New York, NY follows closely at $19.96 per hour, around $41,500 annually. Other notable cities are Chicago, IL at $17.74 per hour, and Detroit, MI at $16.53 per hour, both within the salary range of $41,900 to $55,000.

7. How much is a custodian paid in the USA?

How much does a Custodian make? The salary for a Custodian in the USA ranges from a minimum of $41,900 to a maximum of $55,000, with a mid-salary of $47,400 per year. These figures reflect the typical earnings for custodians based on collected data.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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