Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Laundry and dry-cleaning workers support customers and businesses by handling clothing and other washable items from drop-off through finished cleaning. With national employment around 203,000 workers and projected growth of 5.4%, this role represents a sizable and steadily expanding field. The national median annual salary of $33,800 places it in a solid wage range for an occupation that typically does not require a formal educational credential. The job can appeal to people who like staying active and using practical skills such as physical strength and stamina, fine motor abilities, and customer service. There are opportunities in many regions, with some states and metro areas offering higher salaries or stronger overall opportunity scores. For individuals exploring hands-on, service-oriented work or considering similar paths such as dishwashers, janitors and cleaners, textile and furnishings workers, or cleaners of vehicles and equipment, this role offers a straightforward entry point with defined opportunities across the country.
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers earn a national median annual salary of $33,800. Pay levels vary across states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington reports a median salary of $39,590, while California and Colorado are close behind at $37,790 and $37,680. Massachusetts shows a median of $37,490, and New York comes in at $35,050. At the metro level, several areas stand out for higher median pay. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA offers $44,410, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports $43,310. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro lists a median of $35,910, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is at $36,300 and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH at $37,690. These figures show that location can make a meaningful difference in earning potential within this occupation.
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers represent a significant workforce, with national employment of about 203,000. The occupation is projected to grow by 5.4%, indicating an expanding field rather than a shrinking one. Annual openings are estimated at 32,000, suggesting a consistent flow of opportunities each year. This combination of existing employment size, measurable projected growth, and regular openings can be important for people who want a career with ongoing hiring activity. The 5.4% growth rate is also reflected across the highlighted top states and metro areas, where each listed location shows the same projected rate. For job seekers, this means the occupation is not limited to a few niche regions; instead, it offers options in multiple states and large metro areas. Overall, the employment outlook suggests continued demand for workers entering or staying in this field.
Location plays a major role in shaping opportunity for laundry and dry-cleaning workers. Among states, California has the highest employment at 21,940 workers and a median salary of $37,790, with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York follows with 13,020 workers and a median salary of $35,050. Massachusetts, Colorado, and Washington have smaller employment counts—3,700, 3,370, and 3,870 respectively—but report median salaries between roughly $37,490 and $39,590. Washington’s $39,590 median stands out as the highest among the top states. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA leads with a median salary of $44,410 and an opportunity score of 77.42, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA also offers a high median of $43,310. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has the largest listed employment at 14,040 and a strong opportunity score of 77.27. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH provide additional options with mid-to-upper $30,000s median salaries and solid opportunity scores.
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers typically enter the field with no formal educational credential. This makes the occupation accessible to people who may not have completed traditional degree programs but are ready to develop practical workplace abilities. Success in this role relies on a broad set of skills rather than formal schooling. Physical strength and stamina and fine motor skills support the hands-on nature of the work. Mechanical and science skills can be relevant for understanding equipment and cleaning processes. Interpersonal skills, customer service, and speaking and listening are important for interacting with customers and coworkers. Project management and leadership skills can help workers coordinate tasks and take on added responsibility over time. Mathematics skills also play a role in the overall skill profile. Together, these skills provide a pathway to grow within the occupation even without formal education requirements.
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