Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$37,790
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $34,890
State Rank
#3 of 51
21,940 employed here

How much do Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers make in California?

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in California take home a median of $37,790 annually — roughly $18.17 an hour — which runs 8% above the national median of $34,890.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,450 while the top 10% make $46,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,420 and $42,060 a year.

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,450$17.04
25th percentile (early career)$36,420$17.51
50th percentile (median)$37,790$18.17
75th percentile (experienced)$42,060$20.22
90th percentile (top earners)$46,240$22.23

How California compares

California ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$39,590
2Oregon$37,800
3California$37,790
4District of Columbia$37,790
5Colorado$37,680

Working as Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in California

Nationally, about 198,000 people work as Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($37,790) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers make in California?
The median Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers salary in California is $37,790 per year, or about $18.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,450 at the entry level to $46,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers about 8% more than the national median of $34,890. California ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $37,790 a year. About 21,940 Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.