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.
Also called: Bag Washer, Benzene Washer, Benzene Worker, Blanket Washer, Carpet Cleaner, Cleaner
Median pay
$34,890
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$27,440 – $43,190
People employed
198,040
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 2.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What laundry and dry-cleaning workers do
- 01Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
- 02Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
- 03Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
- 04Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
- 05Start 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.
- 06Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Chemistry
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders89% · +25%
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment84% · +3%
- Packers and Packagers, Hand84% · +4%
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers84% · +18%
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers83% · +19%
Change into laundry and dry-cleaning workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment84% · $35,830
- Dishwashers84% · $34,810
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders83% · $43,530
- Helpers--Production Workers81% · $39,070
- Packers and Packagers, Hand81% · $36,280