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Dry Cleaning Worker

Dry cleaning workers serve customers and use various methods, tools, and equipment to clean clothes, drapes, and other textiles (and sometimes leather or suede).

Also Known As

Cleaner, Customer Service Representative, Dry Cleaner

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 6681.1: Dry Cleaning and Laundry Machine Operators

2006 NOC-S

  • G981: Dry Cleaning and Laundry Occupations

2011 NOC

  • 6741: Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations

2016 NOC

  • 6741: Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations

2021 NOC

  • 65320: Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations

2023 OaSIS

  • 65320.01: Dry cleaning and laundry machine operators
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Dry cleaning workers may:

  • Greet customers at a counter and answer questions
  • Examine articles, determine the type of cleaning treatment required, and advise customers about potential problems
  • Keep records of items received and returned
  • Use computerized systems to accept payment for cleaning services
  • Handle customer complaints in a courteous manner
  • Remove spots or stains using appropriate methods
  • Measure draperies to determine charges and record measurements to ensure articles are finished to the original size
  • Test and remove buttons, ornaments, and other trimmings as necessary before articles are cleaned
  • Sort articles according to colour, condition, and type of material
  • Arrange articles in lots according to weight and when they will be needed
  • Select the proper cleaning process for each load
  • Load and unload dry cleaning and laundry machines
  • Use appropriate finishing equipment to smooth and shape articles
  • Package clean garments
  • Replace filters and perform routine maintenance on equipment

In large operations, dry cleaning workers may specialize in particular tasks or types of goods. For example, they may become experts in stain removal, finishing, or leather cleaning.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg

Modern dry cleaning shops and plants are clean, well lit, and ventilated, and new machinery operates with a minimum of noise. However, the work is physically demanding and even well-ventilated shops can be hot in the summer. Dry cleaning workers are on their feet most of the workday and may need to lift items that weigh up to 10 kilograms.

Dry cleaning workers often work shifts that include evening and weekend hours.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
R
Realistic
This occupation
You
C
Conventional

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Dry cleaning and laundry machine operators
2023 OaSIS: 65320.01

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Dry cleaning workers need:

  • The ability to perform routine, repetitive work, and remain mentally alert
  • The ability to work well with others
  • Customer service skills

They should enjoy operating machines and taking a methodical approach to their work.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations

2016 NOC: 6741

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 103 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 11, 2023 and Sep 26, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Hand fold and bag shirts, sheets and other articles
Tasks: Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches and other solutions and chemicals
Experience: Will train
Tasks: Assemble and bag finished articles
Tasks: Check finished dry-cleaned or laundered articles to ensure that establishment standards are met
Tasks: Record damage or improper cleaning or laundering of articles
Tasks: Use hand-held steam iron to touch up finished garments and other articles
Attention to detail
Tasks: Operate machines to dye, spray, re-oil, and re-buff suede and leather garments
Tasks: Hand iron laundered fine linens or dry-cleaned silk garments
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education Varies

There are no formal educational requirements in this occupation. However, employers generally prefer to hire job applicants who have a combination of the following qualifications:

  • A minimum Grade 10 education
  • Basic health and safety knowledge
  • Knowledge of textiles and basic chemistry
  • Basic computer skills

Dry cleaning workers are trained on the job and may take related industry training courses.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Not regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Dry cleaning workers work in retail dry cleaning shops and in commercial or institutional cleaning plants. Experienced workers may advance to supervisory and management positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations
2016 NOC: 6741

80.4% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations
2021 NOC: 65320
Cold
Job Market
1,600
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations
2016 NOC: 6741
2.5%
Annual Growth
(Above average)
37
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations

2021 NOC: 65320
Average Wage
$18.40
Per Hour
Average Salary
$35,189.00
Per Year
Average Hours
36.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 65320 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $15.00 $19.69 $17.08 $16.50
Overall $15.93 $22.00 $18.40 $18.50
Top $16.50 $23.50 $20.20 $20.49

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Health Care & Social Assistance
Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
66%
66%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
32%
32%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
7%
7%
Vacancy Rate
7%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Personal and Food Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Alberta Textile Care Association (ATCA) website: www.abtca.com

Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (DLI) website: dlionline.org

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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