Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker Salary in Washington, DC
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $36,300 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,335 take-home, or $2,528 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median laundry and dry-cleaning worker salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,176
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,251
- Medicare (1.45%)$526
- District of Columbia income tax$1,012
- Take-home pay$30,335
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,260 | $14.55 | $25,844 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $33,280 | $16.00 | $28,090 | $2,341 |
| Median (50th) | $36,300 | $17.45 | $30,335 | $2,528 |
| 75th percentile | $37,820 | $18.18 | $31,465 | $2,622 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,440 | $20.40 | $34,900 | $2,908 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,300 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median laundry and dry-cleaning worker's $30,335 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,860 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for laundry and dry-cleaning workers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #9 of 15 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville, TN | $35,070 | $30,359 | $31,513 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $36,560 | $31,556 | $31,488 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $36,700 | $30,960 | $29,966 |
| 4 | San Diego, CA | $38,910 | $32,393 | $28,951 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $37,690 | $30,799 | $28,448 |
| 6 | Orlando, FL | $33,010 | $28,704 | $28,302 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $34,730 | $29,019 | $28,297 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $35,740 | $29,273 | $28,257 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $36,300 | $30,335 | $27,860 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 15 metros →
About the job: 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.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.3% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a laundry and dry-cleaning worker make in Washington, DC?
The median laundry and dry-cleaning worker salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $36,300 a year, or about $17.45 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,280 and $37,820.
What is a laundry and dry-cleaning worker’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $36,300 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $30,335 a year ($2,528 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,012 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a laundry and dry-cleaning worker?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $34,890. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,860 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #9 of 15 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a laundry and dry-cleaning worker afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 79% of a median laundry and dry-cleaning worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $61,820
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $46,400
- Baker — $38,650