What is a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker?
Job Description: Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
List of Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker Job Duties
- Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics.
- Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
- Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
- Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
- Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
- Start washers, dry cleaners, driers, or extractors, and turn valves or levers to regulate machine processes and the volume of soap, detergent, water, bleach, starch, and other additives.
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Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker Skills
These are the skills Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers say are the most useful in their careers:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Other Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker Job Titles
- Laundry Person
- Folding Machine Operator
- Cleaner
- Laundry Attendant
- Finisher
Job Demand for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
There were about 220,100 jobs for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 29,500 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker are Utah, Colorado, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, Missouri, or Georgia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker Salary
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers make between $18,120 and $32,530 a year.

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers who work in District of Columbia, Hawaii, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $21,960 |
Alaska | $30,340 |
Arizona | $27,600 |
Arkansas | $21,500 |
California | $28,600 |
Colorado | $25,330 |
Connecticut | $26,850 |
Delaware | $23,870 |
District of Columbia | $36,870 |
Florida | $22,740 |
Georgia | $21,850 |
Hawaii | $31,870 |
Idaho | $22,650 |
Illinois | $24,140 |
Indiana | $23,100 |
Iowa | $24,510 |
Kansas | $22,450 |
Kentucky | $21,650 |
Louisiana | $22,690 |
Maine | $25,490 |
Maryland | $23,920 |
Massachusetts | $27,820 |
Michigan | $24,770 |
Minnesota | $28,180 |
Mississippi | $20,210 |
Missouri | $21,920 |
Montana | $24,790 |
Nebraska | $25,460 |
Nevada | $24,750 |
New Hampshire | $24,070 |
New Jersey | $23,820 |
New Mexico | $21,560 |
New York | $26,610 |
North Carolina | $22,020 |
North Dakota | $27,600 |
Ohio | $23,030 |
Oklahoma | $21,020 |
Oregon | $27,520 |
Pennsylvania | $24,240 |
Rhode Island | $28,090 |
South Carolina | $22,640 |
South Dakota | $23,570 |
Tennessee | $21,540 |
Texas | $23,400 |
Utah | $24,720 |
Vermont | $24,790 |
Virginia | $22,280 |
Washington | $28,910 |
West Virginia | $24,090 |
Wisconsin | $24,520 |
Wyoming | $23,940 |
What Tools & Technology do Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Microsoft Windows
Becoming a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker
Learn what Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker?

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Sector

The table below shows the approximate number of Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers employed by various industries.

Similar Careers
Those who work as a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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