Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers (SOC 51-6011) earn a median $34,890 a year ($16.78 an hour) in the United States, with 198,040 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Washington.
What laundry and dry-cleaning workers do
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers wash, dry, and finish household and industrial articles, such as garments, blankets, linens, draperies, rugs, and items made of suede, leather, or fur. Their duties include sorting and loading items into washers or dry-cleaning machines, measuring detergent, soap, and water, and operating extractors and dryers by turning valves and levers. Afterward, they remove items and count, fold, wrap, or hang them, and workers called spotters treat stains. Machine upkeep, such as cleaning filters and lubricating equipment, is part of the job, and workers may direct others who help with loading, extracting, and drying. The SOC definition also includes dyers working in this setting. Articles are received and marked with identifying code numbers or names, then examined and sorted by color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, less than a high school diploma is the most common level of education reported by workers in this occupation.
Also called: Assorter, Bag Hanger, Bag Washer, Benzene Washer, Benzene Worker.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $13.19 | $14.60 | $16.78 | $18.06 | $20.77 | $16.79 | 198,040 |
| Annual | $27,440 | $30,360 | $34,890 | $37,560 | $43,190 | $34,920 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where laundry and dry-cleaning workers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington | Hourly | $17.28 | $18.17 | $19.04 | $21.20 | $22.75 | $19.83 | 3,870 | 1.09 | 0.86 |
| Annual | $35,940 | $37,780 | $39,590 | $44,100 | $47,310 | $41,240 | ||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $16.35 | $17.32 | $18.17 | $20.81 | $22.43 | $18.97 | 1,890 | 0.96 | 0.75 |
| Annual | $34,000 | $36,020 | $37,800 | $43,280 | $46,660 | $39,460 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $17.04 | $17.51 | $18.17 | $20.22 | $22.23 | $19.11 | 21,940 | 1.21 | 0.95 |
| Annual | $35,450 | $36,420 | $37,790 | $42,060 | $46,240 | $39,750 | ||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $17.65 | $17.77 | $18.17 | $20.60 | $27.87 | $20.04 | 320 | 0.46 | 0.36 |
| Annual | $36,700 | $36,960 | $37,790 | $42,850 | $57,980 | $41,690 | ||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $15.72 | $17.21 | $18.11 | $20.65 | $22.33 | $21.52 | 3,370 | 1.17 | 0.92 |
| Annual | $32,700 | $35,800 | $37,680 | $42,950 | $46,450 | $44,750 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $17.04 | $17.51 | $18.17 | $20.22 | $22.23 | $19.11 | 21,940 | 1.21 | 0.95 |
| Annual | $35,450 | $36,420 | $37,790 | $42,060 | $46,240 | $39,750 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $10.87 | $12.58 | $14.25 | $16.92 | $18.73 | $14.99 | 17,030 | 1.21 | 0.95 |
| Annual | $22,620 | $26,160 | $29,630 | $35,200 | $38,960 | $31,190 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $14.02 | $14.48 | $15.55 | $16.88 | $18.28 | $15.98 | 14,150 | 1.43 | 1.12 |
| Annual | $29,150 | $30,110 | $32,340 | $35,100 | $38,010 | $33,240 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $16.03 | $16.35 | $16.85 | $17.95 | $21.97 | $18.16 | 13,020 | 1.34 | 1.06 |
| Annual | $33,330 | $34,020 | $35,050 | $37,330 | $45,690 | $37,780 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | $15.00 | $15.00 | $16.93 | $17.84 | $19.45 | $17.13 | 8,550 | 1.40 | 1.10 |
| Annual | $31,200 | $31,200 | $35,220 | $37,100 | $40,460 | $35,630 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $19.27 | $20.37 | $21.35 | $22.33 | $25.67 | $21.78 | 810 | 0.71 | 0.56 |
| Annual | $40,080 | $42,370 | $44,410 | $46,440 | $53,400 | $45,310 | ||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $18.40 | $18.67 | $20.96 | $21.49 | $23.73 | $20.69 | 2,140 | 1.03 | 0.81 |
| Annual | $38,270 | $38,830 | $43,610 | $44,700 | $49,350 | $43,040 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $18.30 | $19.30 | $20.82 | $21.74 | $25.68 | $21.33 | 2,040 | 0.86 | 0.67 |
| Annual | $38,070 | $40,150 | $43,310 | $45,220 | $53,400 | $44,360 | ||||
| Napa, CA | Hourly | $18.19 | $18.87 | $20.48 | $22.21 | $23.41 | $20.77 | 160 | 2.01 | 1.58 |
| Annual | $37,830 | $39,260 | $42,600 | $46,190 | $48,700 | $43,190 | ||||
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | Hourly | $18.03 | $18.73 | $19.75 | $20.86 | $22.44 | $19.98 | 260 | 1.25 | 0.98 |
| Annual | $37,500 | $38,950 | $41,080 | $43,390 | $46,670 | $41,560 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $16.03 | $16.35 | $17.26 | $17.97 | $21.75 | $18.24 | 14,040 | 1.48 | 1.16 |
| Annual | $33,340 | $34,020 | $35,910 | $37,380 | $45,230 | $37,930 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $17.08 | $17.51 | $17.95 | $18.95 | $21.96 | $18.87 | 9,230 | 1.47 | 1.16 |
| Annual | $35,530 | $36,430 | $37,330 | $39,410 | $45,680 | $39,240 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $15.00 | $15.40 | $17.18 | $18.11 | $20.50 | $17.37 | 6,330 | 1.40 | 1.10 |
| Annual | $31,200 | $32,040 | $35,740 | $37,670 | $42,640 | $36,120 | ||||
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | Hourly | $14.14 | $14.68 | $16.03 | $16.87 | $18.39 | $16.13 | 4,460 | 1.58 | 1.24 |
| Annual | $29,410 | $30,530 | $33,330 | $35,090 | $38,250 | $33,540 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $12.76 | $13.95 | $15.59 | $17.59 | $18.82 | $15.88 | 4,360 | 1.08 | 0.85 |
| Annual | $26,530 | $29,010 | $32,420 | $36,580 | $39,150 | $33,030 | ||||
Top industries employing laundry and dry-cleaning workers
Drycleaning and Laundry Services employ 48.8% of laundry and dry-cleaning workers nationally (96,620 jobs) at a median $34,870 a year ($16.76 an hour), followed by Traveler Accommodation (20.1%) and Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) (10.7%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drycleaning and Laundry Services NAICS 812300 | 96,620 | 48.8% | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| Traveler Accommodation NAICS 721100 | 39,870 | 20.1% | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) NAICS 623100 | 21,220 | 10.7% | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| Employment Services NAICS 561300 | 7,500 | 3.8% | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals NAICS 622100 | 6,240 | 3.2% | $38,360 | $18.44 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (198,040). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $28,350 for laundry and dry-cleaning workers in May 2021 and $34,890 in May 2025, with employment of 157,400 and 198,040.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $28,350 | $13.63 | 157,400 |
| May 2022 | $29,060 | $13.97 | 175,730 |
| May 2023 | $31,050 | $14.93 | 185,000 |
| May 2024 | $33,800 | $16.25 | 195,360 |
| May 2025 | $34,890 | $16.78 | 198,040 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
51 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington profile | $19.04 | $39,590 | $35,940 | $47,310 | 3,870 | 1.09 | 0.86 |
| 2 | Oregon profile | $18.17 | $37,800 | $34,000 | $46,660 | 1,890 | 0.96 | 0.75 |
| 3 | California profile | $18.17 | $37,790 | $35,450 | $46,240 | 21,940 | 1.21 | 0.95 |
| 4 | District of Columbia profile | $18.17 | $37,790 | $36,700 | $57,980 | 320 | 0.46 | 0.36 |
| 5 | Colorado profile | $18.11 | $37,680 | $32,700 | $46,450 | 3,370 | 1.17 | 0.92 |
| 6 | Minnesota profile | $18.07 | $37,580 | $31,090 | $46,530 | 3,530 | 1.20 | 0.94 |
| 7 | Massachusetts profile | $18.02 | $37,490 | $34,540 | $42,710 | 3,700 | 1.02 | 0.80 |
| 8 | North Dakota profile | $18.01 | $37,470 | $31,040 | $45,630 | 840 | 1.96 | 1.54 |
| 9 | Maine profile | $17.97 | $37,380 | $34,640 | $44,190 | 820 | 1.27 | 1.00 |
| 10 | Vermont profile | $17.93 | $37,300 | $31,570 | $45,960 | 280 | 0.93 | 0.73 |
| 11 | Rhode Island profile | $17.90 | $37,230 | $31,200 | $43,750 | 650 | 1.30 | 1.02 |
| 12 | New Hampshire profile | $17.72 | $36,860 | $31,270 | $44,540 | 890 | 1.30 | 1.02 |
| 13 | Arizona profile | $17.55 | $36,500 | $32,690 | $38,530 | 4,290 | 1.33 | 1.04 |
| 14 | Connecticut profile | $17.46 | $36,310 | $34,010 | $42,000 | 1,830 | 1.08 | 0.85 |
| 15 | Montana profile | $17.43 | $36,250 | $30,160 | $44,980 | 1,030 | 2.02 | 1.58 |
| 16 | Nevada profile | $17.41 | $36,210 | $29,360 | $50,220 | 4,540 | 2.93 | 2.30 |
| 17 | Alaska profile | $17.33 | $36,050 | $27,200 | $48,550 | 750 | 2.31 | 1.81 |
| 18 | New Jersey profile | $17.33 | $36,050 | $32,220 | $40,770 | 6,110 | 1.43 | 1.12 |
| 19 | Wisconsin profile | $17.16 | $35,700 | $29,270 | $42,240 | 3,310 | 1.12 | 0.88 |
| 20 | Hawaii profile | $17.16 | $35,690 | $30,310 | $55,730 | 1,730 | 2.75 | 2.16 |
| 21 | Utah profile | $17.16 | $35,690 | $26,980 | $45,230 | 1,470 | 0.85 | 0.67 |
| 22 | Illinois profile | $16.93 | $35,220 | $31,200 | $40,460 | 8,550 | 1.40 | 1.10 |
| 23 | Idaho profile | $16.90 | $35,140 | $23,700 | $45,540 | 1,350 | 1.57 | 1.24 |
| 24 | Michigan profile | $16.87 | $35,100 | $28,440 | $43,180 | 4,970 | 1.13 | 0.89 |
| 25 | New York profile | $16.85 | $35,050 | $33,330 | $45,690 | 13,020 | 1.34 | 1.06 |
| 26 | Nebraska profile | $16.73 | $34,790 | $29,910 | $43,990 | 1,060 | 1.04 | 0.81 |
| 27 | Maryland profile | $16.69 | $34,710 | $31,200 | $39,800 | 3,780 | 1.37 | 1.07 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania profile | $16.38 | $34,060 | $26,970 | $41,880 | 6,290 | 1.04 | 0.81 |
| 29 | Iowa profile | $16.37 | $34,050 | $28,750 | $41,700 | 1,900 | 1.22 | 0.96 |
| 30 | Missouri profile | $16.28 | $33,870 | $28,600 | $39,270 | 3,930 | 1.34 | 1.05 |
| 31 | Delaware profile | $16.22 | $33,730 | $31,200 | $41,980 | 710 | 1.47 | 1.15 |
| 32 | Tennessee profile | $15.97 | $33,220 | $27,420 | $36,900 | 5,730 | 1.75 | 1.37 |
| 33 | South Dakota profile | $15.76 | $32,780 | $28,100 | $43,330 | 750 | 1.64 | 1.29 |
| 34 | Florida profile | $15.55 | $32,340 | $29,150 | $38,010 | 14,150 | 1.43 | 1.12 |
| 35 | Virginia profile | $15.45 | $32,140 | $26,490 | $38,500 | 4,900 | 1.19 | 0.94 |
| 36 | North Carolina profile | $15.35 | $31,920 | $26,020 | $38,360 | 5,570 | 1.13 | 0.89 |
| 37 | Indiana profile | $14.87 | $30,930 | $26,000 | $38,790 | 3,190 | 1.00 | 0.78 |
| 38 | New Mexico profile | $14.83 | $30,850 | $27,210 | $36,690 | 1,320 | 1.51 | 1.19 |
| 39 | Georgia profile | $14.70 | $30,580 | $22,580 | $36,970 | 5,150 | 1.05 | 0.83 |
| 40 | Ohio profile | $14.67 | $30,520 | $26,380 | $38,620 | 6,990 | 1.26 | 0.99 |
| 41 | South Carolina profile | $14.65 | $30,470 | $23,470 | $38,050 | 3,160 | 1.37 | 1.08 |
| 42 | Kansas profile | $14.48 | $30,120 | $25,800 | $36,640 | 2,160 | 1.50 | 1.18 |
| 43 | Texas profile | $14.25 | $29,630 | $22,620 | $38,960 | 17,030 | 1.21 | 0.95 |
| 44 | Kentucky profile | $14.05 | $29,220 | $23,140 | $36,610 | 2,350 | 1.18 | 0.92 |
| 45 | West Virginia profile | $13.93 | $28,970 | $23,070 | $37,030 | 1,340 | 1.91 | 1.50 |
| 46 | Wyoming profile | $13.76 | $28,630 | $27,460 | $41,160 | 690 | 2.47 | 1.94 |
| 47 | Arkansas profile | $13.68 | $28,460 | $23,640 | $34,170 | 1,640 | 1.26 | 0.99 |
| 48 | Alabama profile | $13.64 | $28,370 | $22,450 | $35,560 | 2,150 | 1.02 | 0.80 |
| 49 | Oklahoma profile | $13.54 | $28,170 | $20,750 | $38,600 | 2,680 | 1.57 | 1.23 |
| 50 | Louisiana profile | $13.20 | $27,460 | $21,680 | $36,530 | 2,950 | 1.52 | 1.20 |
| 51 | Mississippi profile | $13.07 | $27,190 | $21,430 | $36,500 | 1,420 | 1.22 | 0.96 |
Part of Production Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 51-6011 Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 51-6011, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 51-6011.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.