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Healthcare
Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers keep clothing, linens, and uniforms moving through fast, machine-heavy workflows. The work is distinct because it mixes sorting fabrics and stains with operating washers, dryers, extractors, and dry-cleaning equipment. The tradeoff is clear: entry is easy and openings are steady, but the job is repetitive, physically demanding, and usually pays modestly unless you move into supervision.
Also known as Laundry AttendantLaundry WorkerLaundry AideDry-Cleaning AttendantPresser
Median Salary
$33,800
Mean $33,990
U.S. Workforce
~195K
31.9K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+5.4%
202.6K to 213.5K
Entry Education
No formal educational credential
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~195K workers, with a median annual pay of $33,800 and roughly 31.9K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 202.6 K in 2024 to 213.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with No formal educational credential, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Entry-Level Laundry Attendant and can progress toward Laundry Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, and Commercial Laundry Machines & Dry-Cleaning Equipment, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Time Management, and Speaking.
Core Responsibilities
- Sort incoming clothes, linens, and uniforms by fabric, color, and how they need to be cleaned.
- Load washers, dryers, or dry-cleaning machines and set the right cycle, temperature, and cleaning additives.
- Unload finished items, count them, and fold, hang, or wrap them for return to customers or departments.
- Tag garments and linens with names or codes so each order stays organized.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Sort incoming clothes, linens, and uniforms by fabric, color, and how they need to be cleaned.
02 Load washers, dryers, or dry-cleaning machines and set the right cycle, temperature, and cleaning additives.
03 Unload finished items, count them, and fold, hang, or wrap them for return to customers or departments.
04 Tag garments and linens with names or codes so each order stays organized.
05 Watch machines while they run, adjust controls as needed, and deal with small problems before they slow production.
06 Clean filters, wipe down equipment, and do basic upkeep to keep the laundry area running smoothly.
Industries That Hire
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Hospitality & Hotels
Marriott International, Hilton, Hyatt
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Commercial Laundry Services
Cintas, UniFirst, Alsco
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Dry Cleaning & Garment Care
Tide Cleaners, ZIPS Cleaners, Martinizing Dry Cleaning
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Contract Services & Facilities
Sodexo, Aramark, Compass Group
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can get started without a degree, and the role typically requires no formal educational credential.
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There are a lot of openings, with about 31.9K projected annual openings, so workers can often find jobs in many cities.
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Training is usually short, which makes it easier to learn the basics of sorting, machine use, and garment handling.
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The work is active and hands-on, which can appeal to people who do not want a desk job.
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Demand comes from places that always need clean linens and uniforms, like hospitals, hotels, and food service companies.
Challenges
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Pay is modest: the median wage is about $33.8K a year and the mean is about $33.99K, so the job is not a strong earner.
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Growth is only 5.4% through 2034, which means the field is not expanding quickly.
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The work is repetitive and physical, with lots of lifting, standing, folding, and loading machines.
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Workers are around heat, moisture, detergents, and machine noise, which can make the environment tiring or unpleasant.
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The long-term ceiling is limited unless you move into supervision, and some facilities automate or outsource laundry work, which can cap advancement.
Career Progression
Entry-Level Laundry Attendant
0-1 years
$28K-$31K
New workers learn how to sort loads, move laundry efficiently, and follow strict labeling and cleaning procedures.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker
1-4 years
$31K-$36K
Workers at this level run machines, handle most day-to-day laundry tasks, and keep production moving without much supervision.
Lead Laundry Worker THIS ROLE
4-7 years
$36K-$43K
Experienced workers may guide others, solve basic equipment issues, and help balance quality with speed during busy shifts.
Laundry Supervisor
7-12 years
$43K-$55K
Supervisors schedule staff, monitor output, and handle quality control, safety, and customer or facility requirements.
Education Paths
No formal educational credential
The most common entry point, held by 65.22% of workers in this role, so many employers hire directly and teach the job on site.
High school diploma
A common option for 34.16% of workers, especially for applicants who want a little more flexibility when applying to hotels, hospitals, and commercial laundries.
Short-term on-the-job training
BLS says this is the usual training model, and it helps new workers learn machine controls, sorting rules, and safety procedures quickly.
Key Skills
Technical
Monitoring 50%
Operations Monitoring 47%
Commercial Laundry Machines & Dry-Cleaning Equipment 45%
Textile Sorting, Tagging & Order Tracking 44%
Chemical Handling, Detergents & Stain Treatment 42%
Basic Equipment Cleaning & Preventive Maintenance 41%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningTime ManagementSpeakingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingSocial Perceptiveness Job Outlook and Trends
+5.4%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
31.9K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 202.6K to 213.5 K over the next decade, representing 5.4% growth. Around 31.9 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.