Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Production
Articles are marked with names or code numbers, then sorted by color, fabric, dirt, and the cleaning method they need. Washers, dry-cleaners, extractors, and driers are loaded and started; valves and levers control water, soap, bleach, starch, and other additives. Items come out to be counted, folded, wrapped, or hung, while filters are cleaned and equipment lubricated; some workers also spot-treat stains or dye articles. The load can be garments, linens, rugs, leather, or household textiles from homes or industry. It suits people who like machine routines, sorting by fabric and soil, and moving physical items through a wash-and-finish cycle.
Typical education: Less than a High School Diploma
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$34'890
Median Wage Market Position
$34'890
What you might do
- Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines
- Regulate soap, water, bleach, and other additives
- Sort items by color, fabric, and soil
- Run extractors and dryers after the wash
- Fold, wrap, or hang cleaned articles
- Mark incoming items with names or codes
Skills that matter
- Careful listening when articles are dropped off
- Color, fabric, and soil sorting
- Control of soap, bleach, and water
- Load timing from wash through dry
- Code marking of garments and linens
- Clear direction to others on loading
AI & the future of this role
Much of washing and sorting is already machine-driven, and further automation may trim routine loads. Spotting stains, handling varied fabrics, and caring for customers’ garments still need human judgment and careful hands-on work.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details