Laundry Worker
SOC 51-6011.00 · ESCO 8157 · OSCA 811332
Role snapshot
Overview
Operates and maintains commercial laundry equipment to clean, dry, iron, and fold a high volume of clothing, towels, and linens for various commercial or institutional clients such as hospitals, hotels, and care facilities. Ensures all items meet strict hygiene and quality standards.
Contributes to public health and safety by providing clean and sanitized textiles for essential services like healthcare and hospitality, ensuring operational readiness and customer satisfaction.
On the job
- Load and unload industrial washing machines, dryers, and ironers.
- Sort soiled articles by type, color, and cleaning requirements.
- Operate pressing and folding machinery to process large volumes of linen.
- Inspect items for stains, damage, and quality of cleaning, re-processing as needed.
- Maintain a clean and organized work environment, adhering to safety and hygiene protocols.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
StableDemand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Education & training
No formal education beyond high school is typically required, though basic literacy and numeracy are beneficial.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Laundry Worker
Personal & Professional Services
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
realistic · RCE
Individuals who enjoy hands-on, practical tasks, prefer structured environments, and are conscientious about following procedures and maintaining standards often find satisfaction in this role.
Personality characteristics
Conscientious
Follows established procedures and pays close attention to detail to ensure quality and hygiene standards are met.
Agreeable
Works well with team members and contributes positively to a collaborative work environment.
Practical
Prefers hands-on tasks and finds satisfaction in tangible results, such as clean and neatly folded linen.
Calm under pressure
Maintains composure and efficiency even during busy periods or when dealing with high volumes of laundry.
Methodical
Approaches tasks systematically and consistently to ensure efficient processing and accurate sorting.
Best for
- People who enjoy physical work and operating machinery.
- Individuals who thrive in structured, process-driven roles.
- Those who value contributing to essential services behind the scenes.
Watch out for
- Can be physically demanding, requiring standing for long periods and lifting heavy loads.
- The work environment can be hot, humid, and noisy.
- Repetitive tasks may not suit those seeking constant variety or creative challenges.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Laundry Worker — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
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