Will AI replace laundry and dry-cleaning workers?AI replacement risk 35% and how the work is changing

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$34,890

25th–75th pct. $30,360–$37,560

Top pay (est.)

$56,100

Top 10% $43,190

Pay in 5 years

$40,700est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$47,500est.

$40,800–$55,100

Outlook score

51/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

35%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+4.3%

28K openings / yr

Will AI replace Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers? AI replacement risk

35%

Low

Ranked #305 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations

Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

Key skills

Operation and Control

2.4

Critical Thinking

2.4

Monitoring

2.4

Active Listening

2.2

Reading Comprehension

2.2

Operations Monitoring

2.2

Time Management

2.2

Social Perceptiveness

2.2

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

2.6

English Language

2.6

Production and Processing

2.6

Chemistry

2.1

Mechanical

1.8

Computers and Electronics

1.6

Education and Training

1.5

Mathematics

1.5

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsTraining and Teaching OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Important abilities

Arm-Hand SteadinessNear VisionTrunk StrengthControl PrecisionFinger DexterityManual Dexterity

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

70%

None / short demo

16%

6–12 months

1–3 months

1–2 years

3–6 months

Related work experience

None

64%

6–12 months

13%

Up to 1 month

3–6 months

2–4 years

1–2 years

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair.	$49,590	60/100	26%
2	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.	$50,620	61/100	27%
3	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators.	$74,450	50/100	47%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.	$79,860	58/100	38%
5	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications.	$48,570	45/100	55%
6	Industrial Machinery Mechanics Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.	$64,520	74/100	26%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.