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Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker

What Does it Take to Be a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker?

Career Description 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.

Life As a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker

  • Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs.
  • Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
  • Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics.
  • Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
  • Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors.
  • Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker Skills

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Other Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker Job Titles

  • Rug Sizer
  • Sizer
  • Washerette Machine Operator
  • Vault Custodian
  • Stamper

What Kind of Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker Job Opportunities Are There?

There were about 220,100 jobs for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker. The BLS estimates 29,500 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker are Utah, Colorado, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, Missouri, or Georgia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker Average Salary

The salary for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers ranges between about $18,120 and $32,530 a year.

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Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers who work in District of Columbia, Hawaii, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $21,960
Alaska $30,340
Arizona $27,600
Arkansas $21,500
California $28,600
Colorado $25,330
Connecticut $26,850
Delaware $23,870
District of Columbia $36,870
Florida $22,740
Georgia $21,850
Hawaii $31,870
Idaho $22,650
Illinois $24,140
Indiana $23,100
Iowa $24,510
Kansas $22,450
Kentucky $21,650
Louisiana $22,690
Maine $25,490
Maryland $23,920
Massachusetts $27,820
Michigan $24,770
Minnesota $28,180
Mississippi $20,210
Missouri $21,920
Montana $24,790
Nebraska $25,460
Nevada $24,750
New Hampshire $24,070
New Jersey $23,820
New Mexico $21,560
New York $26,610
North Carolina $22,020
North Dakota $27,600
Ohio $23,030
Oklahoma $21,020
Oregon $27,520
Pennsylvania $24,240
Rhode Island $28,090
South Carolina $22,640
South Dakota $23,570
Tennessee $21,540
Texas $23,400
Utah $24,720
Vermont $24,790
Virginia $22,280
Washington $28,910
West Virginia $24,090
Wisconsin $24,520
Wyoming $23,940

What Tools do Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Web browser software
  • Email software
  • Microsoft Windows

How to Become a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker

Are there Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers education requirements?

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What work experience do I need to become a Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker?

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Where Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Are Employed

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Below are examples of industries where Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers work:

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Are you already one of the many Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

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