Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Machines can already do 17% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 54%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 17% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 54% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 198,040 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $34,890 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 68% for contact with people.
- Also called: Dry Cleaner, Industrial Laundry Attendant, Laundry Aide, Laundry Assistant.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| 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 | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills laundry and dry-cleaning workers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $40,470
- Rock Splitters, Quarry52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $48,740
- Upholsterers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,340
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $37,800
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of laundry and dry-cleaning workers?
Machines can do 17% of the tasks of laundry and dry-cleaning workers today and 54% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-6011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/laundry-and-dry-cleaning-workers/