How much does a laundry and dry-cleaning worker make?
The median laundry and dry-cleaning worker in the United States earns $34,890 per year, about $16.78 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all laundry and dry-cleaning workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-6011.
Laundry and dry-cleaning worker salary range
Pay for laundry and dry-cleaning workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $27,440 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $43,190. The average (mean) wage of $34,920 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,440 | $13.19 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $30,360 | $14.60 | |
| Median (50th) | $34,890 | $16.78 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $37,560 | $18.06 | |
| 90th percentile | $43,190 | $20.77 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for laundry and dry-cleaning workers (SOC 51-6011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Laundry and dry-cleaning worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers earn the most in Washington at $39,590 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $27,190. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $39,590 | 3,870 |
| Oregon | $37,800 | 1,890 |
| California | $37,790 | 21,940 |
| District of Columbia | $37,790 | 320 |
| Colorado | $37,680 | 3,370 |
| Minnesota | $37,580 | 3,530 |
| Massachusetts | $37,490 | 3,700 |
| North Dakota | $37,470 | 840 |
| Maine | $37,380 | 820 |
| Vermont | $37,300 | 280 |
| Rhode Island | $37,230 | 650 |
| New Hampshire | $36,860 | 890 |
| Arizona | $36,500 | 4,290 |
| Connecticut | $36,310 | 1,830 |
| Montana | $36,250 | 1,030 |
| Nevada | $36,210 | 4,540 |
| Alaska | $36,050 | 750 |
| New Jersey | $36,050 | 6,110 |
| Wisconsin | $35,700 | 3,310 |
| Hawaii | $35,690 | 1,730 |
| Utah | $35,690 | 1,470 |
| Illinois | $35,220 | 8,550 |
| Idaho | $35,140 | 1,350 |
| Michigan | $35,100 | 4,970 |
| New York | $35,050 | 13,020 |
| Nebraska | $34,790 | 1,060 |
| Maryland | $34,710 | 3,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,060 | 6,290 |
| Iowa | $34,050 | 1,900 |
| Missouri | $33,870 | 3,930 |
| Delaware | $33,730 | 710 |
| Tennessee | $33,220 | 5,730 |
| South Dakota | $32,780 | 750 |
| Florida | $32,340 | 14,150 |
| Virginia | $32,140 | 4,900 |
| North Carolina | $31,920 | 5,570 |
| Indiana | $30,930 | 3,190 |
| New Mexico | $30,850 | 1,320 |
| Georgia | $30,580 | 5,150 |
| Ohio | $30,520 | 6,990 |
| South Carolina | $30,470 | 3,160 |
| Kansas | $30,120 | 2,160 |
| Texas | $29,630 | 17,030 |
| Kentucky | $29,220 | 2,350 |
| West Virginia | $28,970 | 1,340 |
| Wyoming | $28,630 | 690 |
| Arkansas | $28,460 | 1,640 |
| Alabama | $28,370 | 2,150 |
| Oklahoma | $28,170 | 2,680 |
| Louisiana | $27,460 | 2,950 |
| Mississippi | $27,190 | 1,420 |
State median wages for laundry and dry-cleaning workers (SOC 51-6011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for laundry and dry-cleaning workers
The BLS projects employment of laundry and dry-cleaning workers to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 204,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 213,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 28,200 openings a year for laundry and dry-cleaning workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a laundry and dry-cleaning worker
The typical entry-level education for laundry and dry-cleaning workers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a laundry and dry-cleaning worker earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $39,590) and the lowest (Mississippi, $27,190) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 198,040 people work as laundry and dry-cleaning workers in the United States. At $34,890 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Laundry and dry-cleaning worker salary FAQ
How much does a laundry and dry-cleaning worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a laundry and dry-cleaning worker is $16.78. The middle half of laundry and dry-cleaning workers earn between $14.60 and $18.06 per hour.
What is the highest laundry and dry-cleaning worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of laundry and dry-cleaning workers earn more than $43,190 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a laundry and dry-cleaning worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a laundry and dry-cleaning worker is $34,890. The average (mean) wage of $34,920 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a laundry and dry-cleaning worker a well paid job?
At $34,890 a year, a laundry and dry-cleaning worker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 198,040 people work as laundry and dry-cleaning workers in the United States.
Which state pays laundry and dry-cleaning workers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for laundry and dry-cleaning workers at $39,590 a year. Oregon ($37,800) and California ($37,790) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a laundry and dry-cleaning worker a good career?
Employment of laundry and dry-cleaning workers is projected to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 28,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a laundry and dry-cleaning worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for laundry and dry-cleaning workers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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