Jobs Similar to Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to laundry and dry-cleaning workers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders, Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders and Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers: $34,890 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
79% similar · $43,530 (+25%) · High school
- 2Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
77% similar · $43,220 (+24%) · High school
- 3Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
77% similar · $46,460 (+33%) · High school
- 4Helpers--Production Workers
77% similar · $39,070 (+12%) · High school
- 5Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
77% similar · $50,270 (+44%) · High school
- 6Packers and Packagers, Hand
77% similar · $36,280 (+4%) · High school
- 7Machine Feeders and Offbearers
77% similar · $41,220 (+18%) · High school
- 8Sewing Machine Operators
77% similar · $36,670 (+5%) · High school · Same group
- 9Recycling and Reclamation Workers
76% similar · $40,240 (broader group) · High school
- 10Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
76% similar · $38,180 (+9%) · High school · Same group
- 11Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
76% similar · $46,170 (+32%) · High school
- 12Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
76% similar · $39,530 (+13%) · High school · Same group
- 13Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
75% similar · $48,040 (+38%) · High school
- 14Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
75% similar · $40,240 (+15%) · High school
- 15Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
75% similar · $48,540 (+39%) · High school
- 16Pourers and Casters, Metal
75% similar · $51,810 (+48%) · High school
- 17Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
75% similar · $43,960 (+26%) · High school
- 18Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
75% similar · $46,350 (+33%) · High school · Same group
- 19Tire Builders
75% similar · $57,390 (+64%) · High school
- 20Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
75% similar · $48,220 (+38%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than laundry and dry-cleaning workers.
- Tire Builders75% similar · $57,390 (+64%)
- Pourers and Casters, Metal75% similar · $51,810 (+48%)
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders77% similar · $50,270 (+44%)
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders75% similar · $48,540 (+39%)
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders75% similar · $48,040 (+38%)
- Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers75% similar · $48,220 (+38%)
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for laundry and dry-cleaning workers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where laundry and dry-cleaning workers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment (84)
- Dishwashers (84)
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders (83)
- Helpers--Production Workers (81)
- Packers and Packagers, Hand (81)
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners (80)
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers (80)
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners (77)
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand (77)
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers (76)
Questions about jobs like laundry and dry-cleaning workers
What jobs are most similar to laundry and dry-cleaning workers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders (79% similar), Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders (77% similar), Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders (77% similar), Helpers--Production Workers (77% similar) and Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (77% similar).
Which jobs like laundry and dry-cleaning workers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Tire Builders ($57,390, +64%; usually a high school diploma), Pourers and Casters ($51,810, +48%; usually a high school diploma) and Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders ($50,270, +44%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with laundry and dry-cleaning workers ($34,890). Without more preparation than laundry and dry-cleaning workers usually need: Tire Builders, Pourers and Casters and Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.