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.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
SOC: 51-6011 O*NET: 51-6011.00
Median Salary
$33,800
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.4%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
31.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
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 does a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$26,270
10th percentile
Early Career
$29,530
25th percentile
Median
$33,800
50th percentile
Experienced
$36,760
75th percentile
Top Earners
$42,370
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$26,270
25th
$29,530
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$33,800
Mean: $33,990
75th
$36,760
90th
$42,370
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $16,100 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $29,530 and $36,760
- •Salary spread is 21.4% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 195,360 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:202,600
Top Industries
Other Services (except Public Administration)49.6%
Personal and Laundry Services49.3%
Drycleaning and Laundry Services49%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.4%
Annual Openings:31,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)202,600
Current
2034 (Projected)213,500
+5.4%
+10,900
Employment Change
+5.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
22,630 jobs$36,7400.99x
Texas
16,250 jobs$29,0600.93x
Florida
13,940 jobs$30,3201.12x
New York
13,270 jobs$33,8801.10x
Illinois
7,830 jobs$35,1401.02x
Ohio
6,670 jobs$30,1500.95x
Pennsylvania
6,000 jobs$33,4600.79x
Michigan
5,700 jobs$34,9001.02x
Tennessee
5,650 jobs$32,3201.36x
North Carolina
5,530 jobs$30,1200.89x
New Jersey
5,490 jobs$34,3301.02x
Virginia
4,900 jobs$30,9200.95x
Georgia
4,880 jobs$28,3700.79x
Nevada
4,180 jobs$33,6902.16x
Indiana
4,070 jobs$29,9601.01x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Helpers--Roofers67%
2 shared skills
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers50%
2 shared skills
Recycling and Reclamation Workers50%
2 shared skills
Packers and Packagers, Hand50%
1 shared skills
Sewing Machine Operators50%
1 shared skills
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers50%
2 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
Senior Level
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (17)Management & Supervision (3)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.07
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.94
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.92
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.89
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.85
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.84
Complete Work Styles Profile
Independence
4.1
Attention to Detail
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Dependability
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
Self-Control
3.8
Initiative
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Concern for Others
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
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