Production
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Also called: Dry Cleaner, Industrial Laundry Attendant, Laundry Aide, Laundry Assistant
US median pay
$34,890
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.3%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
28,200
204,900 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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 they do day to day
- Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
- Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
- Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
- Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
- 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.
- Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
- Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
- Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.
- Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.
- Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operation and Control2.9/5
- Time Management2.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.8/5
- Operations Monitoring2.6/5
- Coordination2.6/5
- Service Orientation2.5/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.4/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.2/5
Knowledge
- Production and Processing2.7/5
- English Language2.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.5/5
- Chemistry2.2/5
- Education and Training2.0/5
- Mathematics2.0/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.