How to become a laundry and dry-cleaning worker
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.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What laundry and dry-cleaning workers do
- 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.
- Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
- Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
- 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.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
Is laundry and dry-cleaning worker a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 32% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Washington $39,590
- Oregon $37,800
- California $37,790
- District of Columbia $37,790
- Colorado $37,680
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.