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Salary comparison

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers by $40K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers land at $34,890 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: laundry and dry-cleaning worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers is Washington ($39,590); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$34,890
$74,450
Hourly rate
$16.78/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$27,440
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$43,190
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
198,040
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
5.4%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Washington
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers median pay.

State
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Washington
$39,590
$79,310
District of Columbia
$37,790
$80,030
Colorado
$37,680
$78,890
Minnesota
$37,580
$78,550
Massachusetts
$37,490
$79,920
Maine
$37,380
$78,970
Rhode Island
$37,230
$81,650
New Hampshire
$36,860
$79,310
Connecticut
$36,310
$83,150
New Jersey
$36,050
$81,110
Alaska
$36,050
$77,960
New York
$35,050
$78,580
Maryland
$34,710
$78,520
Delaware
$33,730
$79,100
Wyoming
$28,630
$90,390

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $34,890 for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $40K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 5.4% projected growth, compared to 1.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers at $39,590/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers earn $39,590 vs. $79,310 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a laundry and dry-cleaning workersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →