Dry Cleaning and Laundry Workers

Employment for laundry and dry-cleaning workers is expected to grow faster than the average for all careers from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. There will continue to be need for laundry workers in hotels, hospitals, and nursing homes, as well as in cleaners and dry cleaning retail establishments.

In the next 10 years, automation advances will cut the number of unskilled and semiskilled workers needed, and most openings will be for skilled workers, drivers, and managers. In the dry cleaning industry, many opportunities exist for workers who can perform pressing and spotting procedures (although employment in the dry cleaning industry may slow as more people choose to purchase clothing that can be cleaned less expensively at home). Job prospects look best for workers who are versatile and who have a good knowledge of textiles.