Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

SOC Code: 51-6011

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workerss load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 77.0/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Active Listening, Monitoring, Operations Monitoring.

AI-Proof Score: 77.0 — High
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Median Salary

$33,800

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Job Growth

5.4%

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Training Time

Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)

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Job Zone

Zone 2 / 5

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Training Cost

~$5,000

Key Skills

  • •Active Listening
  • •Monitoring
  • •Operations Monitoring
  • •Time Management
  • •Social Perceptiveness
  • •Speaking
  • •Critical Thinking
  • •Reading Comprehension
  • •Judgment and Decision Making
  • •Operation and Control

Common Tasks

  • ✓Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
  • ✓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.
  • ✓Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
  • ✓Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
  • ✓Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.

Why AI-Proof?

  • ✅Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
  • ✅Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
  • ✅Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
  • ✅Social and regulatory barriers to full automation