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Laundry Worker

Laundry workers use various methods, tools, and equipment to clean clothes, linen, and other fabric items in commercial or institutional laundries.

Also Known As

Laundry 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

Laundry workers’ duties vary depending on the size and nature of the employer. Laundry workers may work for institutions such as hospitals or prisons, large hotel chains, diaper supply services, or commercial laundries that clean vast quantities of items such as uniforms, bedding, and towels.

In general, laundry workers:

  • Receive and keep records of articles to be laundered
  • Sort soiled linen and clothing
  • Load and unload washing machines, extractors, and other computer-controlled equipment
  • Feed linen into equipment for pressing
  • Catch and count processed linen
  • Note stains, tears, and wear
  • Remove stains and mend items as needed
  • Hand-fold certain linen items
  • Count, sort, and package linen
  • Place linen on carts for delivery to customers

In large-volume plants, workers may specialize in particular areas. For example, those completing mark-in or processing may:

  • Sort, record, and mark linen and other articles
  • Examine articles for defects and send them for repairs
  • Count finished articles and verify the count with plant records

Stain removers or stain treaters may:

  • Inspect articles for stains and colour imperfections
  • Identify items requiring special treatment
  • Determine the cleaning process required
  • Use appropriate treatments to remove stains

Sorters, finishers, and folders may:

  • Sort soiled linen into bins for washing
  • Operate specialized finishing equipment
  • Shake laundry before it is folded
  • Fold finished articles

Cart packers select linen items from shelves according to a pick list and place the required number and type of linens on carts.

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

Laundry facilities are clean, well-lit, and ventilated. Modern laundry equipment is less noisy but still creates heat and humidity. Laundry workers may work shifts that include days, evenings, or weekends. In hospitals and other institutions that are open 365 days a year, shifts include holidays.

The work is physically demanding, fast-paced, and repetitive. Laundry workers are on their feet all day and routinely lift items that may weigh up to 10 kilograms.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 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

2006 NOC: 6681.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
OBJECTIVE

Interest in operating machines to dry-clean dresses, suits, coats, sweaters and other garments, draperies, cushion covers and other articles, and to use washing machines and dryers to clean and dry garments, sheets, blankets, towels and other articles

METHODICAL

Interest in comparing to dry-clean and launder garments and household articles

directive

Interest in using specialized machines to clean and blow-dry fur garments, and to dry-clean, dye, spray, re-oil and re-buff suede and leather garments

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

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

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Laundry workers need:

  • Hand-eye coordination
  • The ability to perform routine, repetitive work while remaining mentally alert
  • The ability to work well with others
  • Communication skills (spoken and written)

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 145 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 22, 2022 and Nov 08, 2024.

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: Check finished dry-cleaned or laundered articles to ensure that establishment standards are met
Attention to detail
Tasks: Assemble and bag finished articles
Tasks: Operate dry cleaning and washing machines, dryers and blow drying machines to clean and dry garments, draperies, cushion covers, sheets, blankets, furs and other articles
Tasks: Use hand-held steam iron to touch up finished garments and other articles
Tasks: Record damage or improper cleaning or laundering of articles
Tasks: Operate machines to dye, spray, re-oil, and re-buff suede and leather garments
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education Varies

There are no formal education requirements in this occupation. However, employers generally prefer to hire applicants who have:

  • A minimum Grade 10 education
  • Basic health and safety knowledge
  • A good knowledge of fabrics and textiles
  • Basic computer skills

Previous experience in a production environment is an asset. Laundry workers are trained on the job and may take related training courses provided by the employer.

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

 

Laundry workers work in commercial laundries, hotel laundries, and institutional laundries, such as in hospitals and prisons. Experienced workers may advance to positions such as lead hand, supervisor, and manager.

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 short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta 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
Medium
Demand
< 1500
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 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 2016 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

2016 NOC: 6741
Average Wage
$16.95
Per Hour
Average Salary
$29,634.00
Per Year
Average Hours
33.7
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 6741 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 $19.43 $15.91 $15.61
Overall $15.20 $20.93 $16.95 $16.43
Top $16.00 $22.50 $18.48 $18.00

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
44%
44%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
49%
49%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
7%
7%
Vacancy Rate
2%
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 International (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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