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Retail

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker

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.

Annual openings

623

Median wage

$37,680

Typical education

Education not reported

Growth 2026–2032

+8%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Education not reported

Credential requirement

No certification is required or expected for this job.

Work experience

This is an entry-level role so no experience is required.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerNo
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsYes

Interests it draws on

  • Human Services
  • Retail

Automation exposure

High exposure

Many tasks are repeatable, so technology could reshape the day-to-day over time.

A typical day

  1. Start washers, dry cleaners, driers, or extractors, and turn valves or levers to regulate machine processes and the volume of soap, detergent, water, bleach, starch, and other additives.
  2. Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
  3. Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
  4. Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
  5. Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
  6. Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
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