| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
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| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so. |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: 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. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment. |
Associate Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Associate's Degree (or less), and % with 1 year experience (or less).
These entry-level roles are open to associate's degree graduates and offer a practical starting point for building experience and advancing. For recent graduates or career changers seeking their first role with a two-year degree. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.
Here is a short Helper Video
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs ![]()
What entry level jobs can you get with just an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 356 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Description: Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
175,500U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
196,100
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
20,600 (11.8%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
26,600
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents. |
| Importance: 53 (%) | Description: Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles. |
| Importance: 51 (%) | Description: Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers. |
| Importance: 51 (%) | Description: Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents. |
| Importance: 48 (%) | Description: Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics. |
| Importance: 45 (%) | Description: Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors. |
| Importance: 40 (%) | Description: Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles. |
| Importance: 39 (%) | Description: Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents. |
| Importance: 38 (%) | Description: Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached. |
| Importance: 36 (%) | Description: Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines. |
| Importance: 36 (%) | Description: Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled articles. |
| Importance: 36 (%) | Description: Clean fabrics, using vacuums or air hoses. |
| Importance: 35 (%) | Description: Wash, dry-clean, or glaze delicate articles or fur garment linings by hand, using mild detergents or dry cleaning solutions. |
| Importance: 33 (%) | Description: Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors. |
| Importance: 28 (%) | Description: Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes. |
| Importance: 27 (%) | Description: Start pumps to operate distilling systems that drain and reclaim dry cleaning solvents. |
| Importance: 27 (%) | Description: Rinse articles in water and acetic acid solutions to remove excess dye and to fix colors. |
| Importance: 27 (%) | Description: Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs. |
| Importance: 26 (%) | Description: Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels. |
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
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| Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel. | |
| Clean fabrics or apparel. | |
| Clean production equipment. | |
| Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards. | |
| Count finished products or workpieces. | |
| Direct operational or production activities. | |
| Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions. | |
| Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains. | |
| Lubricate production equipment. | |
| Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information. | |
| Mix substances to create chemical solutions. | |
| Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment. | |
| Operate garment treatment equipment. | |
| Operate industrial equipment. | |
| Operate pumping systems or equipment. | |
| Operate pumps or compressors. | |
| Operate sewing equipment. | |
| Remove products or workpieces from production equipment. | |
| Repair textiles or apparel. | |
| Select equipment, materials, or supplies for cleaning or maintenance activities. | |
| Sew clothing or other articles. | |
| Smooth garments with irons, presses, or steamers. | |
| Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading. | |
| Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products. | |
| Test materials, solutions, or samples. | |
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas. |
| Activity: Clean workpieces, finished products, or other objects. |
| Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures. |
| Activity: Inspect characteristics or conditions of materials or products. |
| Activity: Inspect completed work or finished products. |
| Activity: Maintain tools or equipment. |
| Activity: Mark materials or objects for identification. |
| Activity: Operate industrial processing or production equipment. |
| Activity: Operate pumping systems or equipment. |
| Activity: Position workpieces or materials on equipment. |
| Activity: Prepare industrial materials for processing or use. |
| Activity: Prepare mixtures or solutions. |
| Activity: Remove workpieces from production equipment. |
| Activity: Select materials or equipment for operations or projects. |
| Activity: Sew garments or materials. |
| Activity: Sort materials or products. |
| Activity: Test characteristics of materials or products. |
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
| Emerging Tech Skills |
| Office suite software: |
| Microsoft Office software |
| Operating system software: |
| Microsoft Windows |
| Spreadsheet software: |
| Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software: |
| Microsoft Word |
| General Software Tools |
| Data base user interface and query software: |
| Property management system PMS software |
| Electronic mail software: |
| Email software |
| Internet browser software: |
| Web browser software |
| Point of sale POS software: |
| Cents Curbside Laundries Wash and Fold POS Software Sales processing software Wash-Dry-Fold POS |
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed |
| Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. |
| Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. |
| Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. |
| These occupations involve following instructions and often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include dishwashers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, counter and rental clerks, dental laboratory technicians, and security guards. |
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 64.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 13.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 3.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Certified Environmental Drycleaner | |
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Certified Garment Care Professional | |
|
Certified Professional Drycleaner | |
|
Certified Professional Wetcleaner | |
|
Certified Washroom Technician | |
|
Master Textile Cleaner | |
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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Association for Linen Management (ALM) | |
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Coin Laundry Association (CLA) | |
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Dry-cleaning and Laundry Institute International (DLI) | |
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National Cleaners Association (NCA) | |
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page
