How much does a laundry worker make?

They tag and sort clothes by fabric and color, check for stains, then load washers or dry-cleaning machines. After cleaning, they press clothes, fold or hang them, and remove items from the machines.

Did you know? “Dry” cleaning is not really dry: workers clean clothes in liquid solvents, with very little water or none at all.

In the U.S., many people can apply for an entry-level laundry job without college; some employers ask for a high-school diploma, though others do not. Workers learn to sort fabrics, run machines, and press clothes on the job, often in a few days to a year.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, experience and useful skills—like spotting stains and choosing fabric-safe methods—can help workers earn more. Pay also varies by employer setting and location, while total yearly earnings depend on hours worked.