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Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

Typical education: High school diplomaLower pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $34,890 Median per year · $16.78/hr Most earn $27,440–$43,190

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
  • Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.
  • Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
  • Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.
  • Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes.
  • Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled articles.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 28,200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Drycleaning and laundry services47.6%
  • Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)10.5%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals3.1%
  • Self-employed (their own business)2.5%
  • Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly2.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: None

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: NoneEntry-level

Laundry and dry-cleaning work is an entry-level job. Most people start right after high school, and the job usually comes with on-the-job training, with no prior work experience needed.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    A diploma is the usual minimum education, and it's enough to apply for this work. Strong reading, math, and hands-on skills help you learn the machines quickly.

  2. Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker

    Learned on the job, usually within weeks to a few months

    You learn to run washers, dryers, and dry-cleaning machines, sort fabrics, and spot-treat stains. Doing this well builds the skills needed to move into pressing or supervising roles.

Where it can lead

  1. Presser, Textile and Garment

    Typically 1-2 years in a laundry or dry-cleaning role of experience first

    You move from running machines to finishing garments and linens by pressing them to shape. It takes practice with steam equipment and attention to detail on fabrics.

  2. Laundry Supervisor

    Varies by employer; often several years of hands-on experience of experience first

    You oversee a team, schedule shifts, check quality, and train new workers. It usually requires reliability, good communication, and a strong track record on the floor.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and chemistry classesBasic measuring, following directions, and understanding cleaning chemicals are useful on this job.
  • Get a part-time or summer job at a laundromat, dry cleaner, or hotelEven a few hours a week shows employers you can work reliably and gives you real experience with machines.
  • Volunteer with a community or school laundry driveHelping sort, wash, and fold clothes for others builds hands-on skills and a record of dependable work.
  • Learn basic sewing or mendingRepairing garments and understanding fabric types can help you handle delicate items with care.

In college

  • Take a short course in textile care or fabric scienceLearning how different fibers react to heat, water, and solvents helps you treat items correctly and avoid damage.
  • Work a campus job in dining, residence hall laundry, or facilitiesCampus jobs often include equipment care and cleaning routines, which give you relevant experience while you study.
  • Take a workplace safety or chemical handling course if your school offers oneKnowing how to handle cleaning agents safely is valuable in any laundry or dry-cleaning setting.
  • Build customer service and teamwork skills through a student job or clubMany laundry businesses serve customers directly, so friendly communication and working well with a team help you advance.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local laundry or dry cleaner whether you can shadow a worker for a few hours. Seeing the work up close will tell you if the pace and tasks fit you.
  • Get comfortable with physical work. This job involves standing, lifting heavy loads of wet laundry, and working in warm, humid rooms, so building stamina helps.
  • Learn basic safety habits early, such as reading chemical labels and following machine rules. Employers value workers who are careful and dependable.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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