Drycleaner

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Work Tasks

DRY-CLEANERS run machines that use chemical liquids instead of water to clean fabrics. They clean fabric garments, linens, draperies, blankets, leather, suede, fur, and rugs. Workers sort items, weigh them, and fill automatic dry-cleaning machines; choose the proper liquids and cleaning times; and set machine controls. Dry-cleaners press items with steam irons and machine presses in order to remove wrinkles. They then assemble each customer's items, box, bag, and package them for pick up by the customers, and prepare itemized bills.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $25,000 average per year ($12.00 per hour)
• A large occupation (267,200 workers in 2010)
• Expected to not change (0.0% per year)

Entry Requirements

Although laundries and dry-cleaners prefer DRY-CLEANER entrants with previous work experience, they routinely hire inexperienced workers. Beginners are trained on the job by experienced dry-cleaners. It takes several months to train as a dry-cleaner or presser, and from six months to a year to become a spotter. Knowledge of fabrics is very important and entrants with post-secondary vocational training usually have a better chance of getting a job and advancing to supervisory positions. Dry-cleaners need no special licensing or certification.