What Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers"; "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"; "Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them"; "Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required"; "Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 204,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 213,700 in 2035, an increase of 8,800 jobs (+4.3%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 28,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 13.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $34,890, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $35,651 in New Jersey to $38,457 in California, a gap of $2,806 (1.08 times). 3 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $34,890 and 0 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 21,080, which is 37.0% of the 57,040 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 18,290.
Highest-paying states
California ($38,457), New York ($35,667) and New Jersey ($35,651) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($35,651) and New York ($35,667) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at -$884. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $11,273 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 0 of the 3 markets and falls short in 3. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 78.3% and 110.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (51-6000) include Sewing Machine Operators.
Frequently asked questions about Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
How much do Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $34,890. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $35,651 to $38,457.
Which state pays Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $38,457. New York is next at $35,667.
Is Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 4.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 28,200 openings a year.
What education do Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: -$884 on a median wage of $35,910.