Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers salary in California
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in California earn a median of $37,790 a year ($18.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 21,940 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,240 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $34,890. California ranks 3rd of 51 states for laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.2 laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,450 | $17.04 |
| 25th percentile | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Median | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| 75th percentile | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| Average (mean) | $39,750 | $19.11 |
Half of laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,149.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,574.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,453.46 |
| Weekly | $726.73 |
| Hourly | $18.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $44,410 | 810 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $43,310 | 2,040 |
| Napa, CA | $42,600 | 160 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $41,080 | 260 |
| Vallejo, CA | $39,680 | 200 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $38,910 | 2,400 |
| Salinas, CA | $38,230 | 300 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $38,080 | 1,100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $37,910 | 110 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $37,730 | 340 |
| Modesto, CA | $37,380 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $37,330 | 9,230 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $37,070 | 240 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $37,060 | 360 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $37,050 | 1,820 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $36,910 | 170 |
| Chico, CA | $36,870 | 100 |
| Fresno, CA | $36,740 | 520 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $36,590 | 300 |
| Redding, CA | $36,130 | 50 |
| Visalia, CA | $35,520 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $39,590 |
| Oregon | $37,800 |
| California | $37,790 |
| District of Columbia | $37,790 |
| Colorado | $37,680 |
| Minnesota | $37,580 |
| Massachusetts | $37,490 |
| North Dakota | $37,470 |
| Maine | $37,380 |
| Vermont | $37,300 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sewing Machine Operator | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $39,300 | $18.89 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $44,360 | $21.33 |
| Upholsterer | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | $89,010 | $42.79 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $43,770 | $21.05 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Sewers, Hand | $42,420 | $20.40 |
| Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,730 | $22.95 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-6011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers make in California?
The median salary for laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers in California is $37,790 a year, or $18.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers make in California?
The top 10% of laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers in California earn at least $46,240 a year. The top 25% earn $42,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,450 a year, and a quarter of laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers earn $36,420 or less.
How many laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers work in California?
About 21,940 laundry and Dry-Cleaning workers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.