U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Smithsonian Institution / Custodial Working

Job-title file

Custodial Working at Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Federal Government

Operate, maintain, and repair equipment or facilities, performing skilled hands-on work.

16 employees hold this title in Smithsonian Institution. Median total compensation for the role is $47,131, below the department median of $94,562.

Employees: 16
Total payroll: $799.3K
Role median: $47,131
Agency median: $94,562
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$42,053$86,137+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 16 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Custodial Working pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — about 2,209,760 people — is $36,840. Smithsonian Institution pays a median base salary of $46,905 for this role, 27% above that figure — about the 82nd percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Smithsonian Institution sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$28,640

$32,240

$36,840

$44,060

$50,270

Smithsonian Institution median · $46,905

The bar is the range of annual wages for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Smithsonian Institution’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Smithsonian Institution is $47,131, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Custodial Working is held in 12 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Smithsonian Institution, the median of $47,131 ranks #6 of 12.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Social Security Administration

$68,725 · 3

Department of Treasury

$65,614 · 2

Government Publishing Office

$59,793 · 32

Government Printing Office

$57,914 · 25

Department of Interior

$47,688 · 526

Department of Commerce

$46,959 · 7

Department of Homeland Security

$46,832 · 3

Armed Forces Retirement Home

$46,811 · 1

Department of Health and Human Services

$46,707 · 590

Department of Agriculture

$44,745 · 39

Department of Veterans Affairs

$44,244 · 14,820

Median total compensation for the Custodial Working role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Same department

Other job titles in Smithsonian Institution

Accounting 26
Administrative Officer 57
Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic 12
Architecture 40
Archivist 41
Astronomy and Space Science 44
Audiovisual Production 14
Auditing 12
Biological Science Technician 30
Budget Analysis 39
Construction Control Technical 35
Contracting 30
Ecology 19
Electrician 33
Electronics Technical 25
Engineering Technical 76
Exhibits Specialist 120
Facility Operations Services 80
Financial Administration and Program 60
Gardening 16
General Anthropology 13
General Arts and Information 312
General Attorney 34
General Education and Training 36
General Engineering 39
General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences 65
General Physical Science 18
Geology 23
Horticulture 45
Human Resources Management 72
Information Technology Management 221
Laboring 31
Librarian 54
Library Technician 25
Maintenance Mechanic 80
Management and Program Analysis 78
Masonry 17
Miscellaneous Administration and Program 315
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 58
Miscellaneous General Maintenance & Operations Work 20
Miscellaneous General Services and Support Work 73
Miscellaneous Plant and Animal Work 113
Miscellaneous Transportation/Mobile Equipment Oper 326
Motor Vehicle Operating 17
Museum Curator 143
Museum Specialist and Technician 404
Painting 21
Photography 21
Pipefitting 16
Program Management 33
Public Affairs 38
Safety and Occupational Health Management 32
Security Administration 73
Security Guard 784
Support Services Administration 16
Utility Systems Repairing-Operating 174
Visual Information 61
Writing and Editing 25
Zoology 16

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Otha Brown

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2025 total comp

$101,605

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $99,613
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,992
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $101,605
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Junior

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,613
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $99,613
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

At Smithsonian Institution, Otha Brown serves as a Custodial Working based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2025 pay totaled $101,605. They are classified at grade 11.

Harry Brittingham

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2025 total comp

$50,046

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $49,065
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $981
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,046
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,065
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $49,065
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

Harry Brittingham is a Custodial Working at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2025 total compensation came to $50,046. They are classified at grade 03.

Roval Crawford

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$49,566

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $49,566
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,566
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,566
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $49,566
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

At Smithsonian Institution, Roval Crawford serves as a Custodial Working based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $49,566. They are classified at grade 03.

Carris Fields

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$49,566

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $49,566
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,566
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,566
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $49,566
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

At Smithsonian Institution, Carris Fields serves as a Custodial Working based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $49,566. They are classified at grade 03.

Dawn Thompson

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$49,566

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $49,566
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,566
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,566
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $49,566
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

Dawn Thompson holds the role of Custodial Working at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $49,566. Their pay grade is 03.

Rosario Cordero

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$47,980

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $47,980
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,980
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,980
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,980
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

At Smithsonian Institution, Rosario Cordero serves as a Custodial Working based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $47,980. They are classified at grade 03.

James Mcdowell

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$47,980

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $47,980
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,980
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,980
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,980
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

James Mcdowell is a Custodial Working at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $47,980. They are classified at grade 03.

Damarco Salley

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$47,792

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $47,792
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,792
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,792
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,792
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

At Smithsonian Institution, Damarco Salley serves as a Custodial Working based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $47,792. They are classified at grade 03.

Latavia Brown

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2025 total comp

$46,470

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $45,559
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $911
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,470
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Jenee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,559
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,559
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

Latavia Brown works as a Custodial Working for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Latavia earned $46,470 in 2025. Their pay grade is 03.

Monay Jackson

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$46,018

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $46,018
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,018
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Lynn

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $46,018
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $46,018
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

Monay Jackson holds the role of Custodial Working at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $46,018. Their pay grade is 03.

Dominique Middleton

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2025 total comp

$44,682

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $43,806
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $876
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,682
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $43,806
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $43,806
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

Dominique Middleton works as a Custodial Working for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Dominique earned $44,682 in 2025. Their pay grade is 03.

Dashaun Cook

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2025 total comp

$44,682

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $43,806
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $876
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,682
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $43,806
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $43,806
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

Dashaun Cook holds the role of Custodial Working at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2025, their total compensation was $44,682. Their pay grade is 03.

Mercedes Hoston

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$44,244

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $44,244
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,244
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Montize

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,244
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $44,244
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

Mercedes Hoston is a Custodial Working at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2026 total compensation came to $44,244. They are classified at grade 03.

Dnaya Smith

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$44,244

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $44,244
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,244
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Monay

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,244
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $44,244
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

Dnaya Smith works as a Custodial Working for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Dnaya earned $44,244 in 2026. Their pay grade is 03.

Gerald Matthews

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$42,846

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $42,846
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,846
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,846
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,846
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

Gerald Matthews holds the role of Custodial Working at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $42,846. Their pay grade is 03.

Daishell Tate

Custodial Working/Smithsonian Institution

2025 total comp

$42,053

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $42,053
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,053
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,053
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,053
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 3566

At Smithsonian Institution, Daishell Tate serves as a Custodial Working based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2025 pay totaled $42,053. They are classified at grade 03.