Production
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Also called: Boarder, Dry Cleaner Presser, Garment Presser, Ironing Machine Operator
US median pay
$35,060
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-15.7%
declining
Openings a year (US)
2,200
26,300 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
What they do day to day
- Hang, fold, package, and tag finished articles for delivery to customers.
- Operate steam, hydraulic, or other pressing machines to remove wrinkles from garments and flatwork items, or to shape, form, or patch articles.
- Straighten, smooth, or shape materials to prepare them for pressing.
- Remove finished pieces from pressing machines and hang or stack them for cooling, or forward them for additional processing.
- Finish pleated garments, determining sizes of pleats from evidence of old pleats or from work orders, using machine presses or hand irons.
- Lower irons, rams, or pressing heads of machines into position over material to be pressed.
- Identify and treat spots on garments.
- Shrink, stretch, or block articles by hand to conform to original measurements, using forms, blocks, and steam.
- Finish fancy garments such as evening gowns and costumes, using hand irons to produce high quality finishes.
- Push and pull irons over surfaces of articles to smooth or shape them.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operation and Control3.0/5
- Time Management2.5/5
- Operations Monitoring2.5/5
- Troubleshooting2.2/5
- Equipment Maintenance2.2/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.2/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.1/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- Production and Processing3.3/5
- English Language2.9/5
- Public Safety and Security2.9/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
- Administration and Management2.5/5
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.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Less than high school59%
- High school diploma26%
- Doctoral degree14%
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.