Dry Cleaning, Laundry, and Related Workers

(NOC 6741)

in All Sales and Service

Dry cleaning and laundry machine operators use machines to dry-clean or launder clothing and other articles. Dry cleaning and laundry inspectors and assemblers check finished clothes and other articles to make sure they meet required standards for dry-cleaning, laundering and pressing, and gather and bag finished clothes and other articles. This group includes workers who iron, press or otherwise finish clothes and household articles. They work for dry cleaning, laundry and fur cleaning companies, and in the laundries of hotels, hospitals and other institutions.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Weak growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 50 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$15.35

Median

$17.80

Maximum

Annual Pay

$10,863

Minimum

$27,093

Median

$36,359

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Dry cleaning and laundry machine operators use machines to dry-clean or launder clothing and other articles. Dry cleaning and laundry inspectors and assemblers check finished clothes and other articles to make sure they meet required standards for dry-cleaning, laundering and pressing, and gather and bag finished clothes and other articles. This group includes workers who iron, press or otherwise finish clothes and household articles. They work for dry cleaning, laundry and fur cleaning companies, and in the laundries of hotels, hospitals and other institutions.

Job duties

Dry cleaning and laundry machine operators:

  • Use dry cleaning machines to dry-clean dresses, suits, coats, sweaters and other clothes, draperies, cushion covers and other articles.
  • Sort clothes and use washing machines and dryers to clean and dry clothing, sheets, blankets, towels and other articles.
  • Use machines to clean and blow-dry fur clothes.
  • Use machines to dry-clean, dye, spray, re-oil, and re-buff suede and leather clothes.
  • Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches and other solutions and chemicals.

Dry cleaning and laundry inspectors and assemblers:

  • Check finished clothes and other articles to make sure they are properly dry-cleaned or laundered.
  • Record damaged or improperly dry-cleaned or laundered clothes and other articles.
  • Use hand-held steam iron to touch up finished clothes and other articles.
  • Assemble and bag finished clothes and other articles.
  • Match invoices with tags on clothes or other articles.

Ironing, pressing and finishing workers:

  • Use finishing equipment like steam pressers, and use hand irons to finish pants, jackets, shirts, skirts and other dry cleaned and laundered articles.
  • Hand iron laundered fine linens or dry-cleaned silk clothes.
  • Use fur ironing and glazing equipment to finish fur clothes and other fur articles.
  • Fold and bag dry cleaned and laundered articles.
  • May use laundering equipment.
  • Workers in this group may specialize in finishing suede, leather, fur and delicate articles.

Sample job titles

  • bagger
  • drapery cleaner
  • dry cleaner
  • finisher
  • fur cleaner
  • inspector - laundry and dry cleaning
  • laundry worker
  • leather cleaner
  • presser
  • silk finisher
  • steam finisher
  • suede cleaner

Skills

  • You should have the ability to perform routine, repetitive work and remain mentally alert. You must also be able to work well with others and have good customer service skills. You should enjoy operating machines and taking a methodical approach to their work.

Job requirements

  • Some high school education is necessary for some positions within this group.
  • Four to eight weeks of on-the-job training are usually provided.
  • Dry cleaning and laundry machine operators may need experience as inspectors or assemblers.
  • Suede, leather and fur cleaners may need experience as dry cleaning or laundry machine operators.

Other considerations

  • Movement to supervisor positions is possible with additional training and experience. Workers are often expected to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

By the numbers

Quick look

525

employed in 2016

74.5%

employed full-time

1.9%

self employed

73.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
26.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
52.9

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
39.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37

median age

Where will I likely work?

32.1%

Halifax

$26,064 median annual income
21.7%

North Shore

$20,444 median annual income
17.0%

Cape Breton

$26,839 median annual income
15.1%

Annapolis Valley

$32,381 median annual income
14.2%

Southern

$27,374 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

47.4%

Health care and social assistance

23.2%

Other services (except public administration)

18.9%

Accommodation and food services

2.1%

Wholesale trade

2.1%

Real estate and rental and leasing

What is the age of Employment?

34.0%

55-64

28.0%

45-54

14.0%

35-44

14.0%

25-34

6.0%

65+

4.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

45.3%

High school

$26,690 median annual income
26.4%

Less than high school

$28,287 median annual income
17.0%

College Diploma

$28,202 median annual income
4.7%

Trade Certification

N/A
2.8%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

No contacts were found under this occupation profile

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.