CFChooseField
Production

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
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Median pay

$33,800
Median annual pay for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

5.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

31,900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

202,600
Estimated U.S. employment for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+10,900
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Production and Processing
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Public Safety and Security
  5. 5Mathematics
  6. 6Administration and Management

Abilities

  1. 1Arm-Hand Steadiness
  2. 2Control Precision
  3. 3Manual Dexterity
  4. 4Near Vision
  5. 5Oral Comprehension
  6. 6Oral Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Integrity
  5. 5Cooperation
  6. 6Stress Tolerance

Work activities

  1. 1Handling and Moving Objects
  2. 2Performing General Physical Activities
  3. 3Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  4. 4Controlling Machines and Processes
  5. 5Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  6. 6Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Work context

  1. 1Spend Time Standing
  2. 2Health and Safety of Other Workers
  3. 3Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  4. 4Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
  5. 5Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  6. 6Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyCentsCurbside Laundries Wash and Fold POS SoftwareEmail softwareProperty management system PMS softwareSales processing softwareWash-Dry-Fold POSWeb browser software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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