O*NET-SOC 51-6011.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers?

Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.

Estimated AI task exposure

Low exposure

V11 weights occupation tasks using O*NET Importance, Relevance and Frequency ratings instead of treating every task equally.

32 tasks have usable Task Rating records; weighted-task coverage is 100%.

Digital/info work

25/100

Physical moat

79/100

Human moat

14/100

Rating coverage

100%

32 task statements / 32 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.

Importance 84/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 84/100Weight 0.90

Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.

Importance 84/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 83/100Weight 0.90

Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.

Importance 83/100Relevance 94/100Frequency 82/100Weight 0.87

Start washers, dry cleaners, driers, or extractors, and turn valves or levers to regulate machine processes and the volume of soap, detergent, water, bleach, starch, and other additives.

Importance 80/100Relevance 89/100Frequency 83/100Weight 0.84

Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.

Importance 72/100Relevance 96/100Frequency 81/100Weight 0.84

Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.

Importance 86/100Relevance 82/100Frequency 81/100Weight 0.83

Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.

Importance 64/100Relevance 80/100Frequency 64/100Weight 0.70

Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.

Importance 66/100Relevance 77/100Frequency 65/100Weight 0.70

Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.

Importance 64/100Relevance 74/100Frequency 67/100Weight 0.69

Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.

Importance 68/100Relevance 67/100Frequency 69/100Weight 0.68

Task weighting

Each rated task receives a composite weight: 38% relevance, 37% importance and 25% frequency. Core tasks receive a small additional multiplier. Low-precision rows flagged by O*NET for suppression are excluded.

Occupation scoring

When rating coverage is strong, rated tasks contribute 60% of the digital, physical and human task signals and Work Activities contribute 40%. Lower-coverage occupations automatically rely more on Work Activities.

U.S. labor market

BLS Wage & Employment Outlook

Median annual wage

$34,890

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

198,040

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+4.3%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

28

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

BLS labor-market figures are separate from the site's AI-exposure model. Missing values mean a compatible detailed BLS occupation estimate was not published or could not be mapped.

Career pivot radar

Safer Career Alternatives

These options are selected from the same 923-occupation model. They favor a similar task/work profile with meaningfully lower estimated AI exposure. They are suggestions for exploration, not guarantees of job fit.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE