Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in Washington
Want to work as a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in Washington? Here’s what you need to know. 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.
What do Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Make in Washington?
For a laundry and dry-cleaning workers working in Washington, wages run about $39,220 per year (or about $18.85/hour).Earnings range from $35,110 at the 10th percentile to $46,180 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| 25th percentile | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| Median (50th) | $39,220 | $18.85 |
| 75th percentile | $43,730 | $21.02 |
| 90th percentile | $46,180 | $22.20 |
The job concentration index in Washington nationwide is 0.82, meaning fewer laundry and dry-cleaning workers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, laundry and dry-cleaning workers earn a median of $66,423 per year ($31.93/hour), lower than the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 858,171 laundry and dry-cleaning workers in the U.S.. In Washington alone, about 3,680 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 2,470 laundry and dry-cleaning workers.
Top Washington Metros for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
These are the Washington metros with the most laundry and dry-cleaning workers in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 2,140 | $42,500 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 350 | $36,180 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 170 | $37,440 |
| Bellingham, WA | 140 | $36,980 |
| Yakima, WA | 110 | $35,480 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 90 | $37,130 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 90 | $37,010 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 80 | $37,390 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 40 | $37,230 |
Top States for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Employment
The table below shows the states where the most laundry and dry-cleaning workers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 22,630 |
| Texas | 16,250 |
| Florida | 13,940 |
| New York | 13,270 |
| Illinois | 7,830 |
| Ohio | 6,670 |
| Pennsylvania | 6,000 |
| Michigan | 5,700 |
| Tennessee | 5,650 |
| North Carolina | 5,530 |
| New Jersey | 5,490 |
| Virginia | 4,900 |
| Georgia | 4,880 |
| Nevada | 4,180 |
| Indiana | 4,070 |
| Missouri | 4,030 |
| Arizona | 3,900 |
| Maryland | 3,890 |
| Washington | 3,680 |
| Massachusetts | 3,680 |
Highest-Paying States for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Where laundry and dry-cleaning workers earn the most: laundry and dry-cleaning workers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $39,220 |
| North Dakota | $37,710 |
| Oregon | $37,190 |
| District of Columbia | $37,070 |
| Vermont | $37,030 |
| Maine | $36,840 |
| California | $36,740 |
| Montana | $36,640 |
| Minnesota | $36,560 |
| Massachusetts | $36,310 |
Skills
Top laundry and dry-cleaning workers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for laundry and dry-cleaning workers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, laundry and dry-cleaning workers typically:
- Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
- 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.
- Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
- Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
- Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
- Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
- Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
- Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
- Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
- Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.
- Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
- Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Training and Teaching Others
- Getting Information
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Related occupations to laundry and dry-cleaning workers include:
- Dishwashers
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
- Sewing Machine Operators
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
Also Known As
Assorter, Bag Hanger, Bag Washer, Benzene Washer, Benzene Worker, Blanket Washer, Box Storage Worker, Bundle Breaker, Buttoner, Carpet Cleaner, Carpet Renovator, Classifier, Cleaner, Cleaner and Dyer, Cleaner and Presser.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-6011.00
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