Clean clothes are a constant need, and busy households increasingly pay for convenience. The U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET projections show laundry and dry-cleaning worker employment growing from about 202,600 in 2024 to about 213,500 in 2034, roughly 5%, with a median wage of about $33,800, according to career sites summarizing BLS wage data.
Laundry businesses range from equipment-heavy laundromats to asset-light pickup and delivery services and drop stores that send garments to a central plant. Location, utility costs and convenience decide profitability.
The workforce
| Occupation | Jobs (2024) | Median pay (May 2024) | Projected growth, 2024 to 2034 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laundry and dry-cleaning workers | about 202,600 | $33,800 | +5% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Market data
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Projected employment in 2034 | 213,500 |
Business models compared
The figures below are illustrative months from our step-by-step guides, not industry averages. They show how revenue and costs typically fit together; your market, prices and costs will differ.
| Business model | Startup costs | Example monthly revenue | Costs | Profit before owner pay | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laundromat (owned machines) | High: machines, build-out, lease | $20,000 | $16,000 | $4,000 | 20% |
| Pickup and delivery laundry service | Low to moderate: vehicle, app or software, partner laundromat | $15,000 | $10,800 | $4,200 | 28% |
| Dry cleaning drop store (outsourced cleaning) | Low to moderate: storefront, counter, conveyor | $14,000 | $11,850 | $2,150 | 15% |
Fixed and variable costs
For projections, the most useful split is between variable costs, which rise and fall with sales (materials, parts, hourly labor), and fixed costs, which you pay every month regardless (rent, salaried staff, insurance, loan payments).
| Business model | Variable costs (% of revenue) | Fixed costs per month | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laundromat (owned machines) | 22.5% | $11,500 | Mostly fixed: slow start-up months are expensive |
| Pickup and delivery laundry service | 64.0% | $1,200 | Mostly variable: profitable early, but watch cash flow |
| Dry cleaning drop store (outsourced cleaning) | 42.1% | $5,950 | Mostly fixed: slow start-up months are expensive |
What the numbers say
Laundromats carry heavy fixed costs. Rent, machine payments and utilities need steady traffic.
Pickup and delivery is asset-light but depends on efficient routes and labor.
Drop stores have thin margins. Wholesale cleaning costs take a large share of revenue.
The three models in brief
Laundromat. Self-service machines, plus wash-and-fold services in many stores.
Pickup and delivery. Convenience laundry for busy households and businesses.
Dry cleaning drop store. A storefront that sends garments to a central cleaning plant.
Cost structure: laundromat (owned machines)
Each cost as a share of the example month’s revenue ($20,000):
| Cost | Monthly amount | Share of revenue | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities (water, gas, electric) | $4,500 | 22.5% | Variable |
| Rent | $4,000 | 20.0% | Fixed |
| Equipment payments | $3,500 | 17.5% | Fixed |
| Attendant | $2,500 | 12.5% | Fixed |
| Repairs and maintenance | $800 | 4.0% | Fixed |
| Insurance | $400 | 2.0% | Fixed |
| Marketing | $300 | 1.5% | Fixed |
| Profit before owner pay | $4,000 | 20% |
A first-year projection: laundromat (owned machines)
New businesses rarely start at full speed. This projection assumes revenue ramps from 35% of the example month in month 1 to 100% by month 12, variable costs move with revenue, and fixed costs stay the same every month. It’s a planning illustration, not a forecast.
| Month | Revenue | Variable costs | Fixed costs | Profit | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7,000 | $1,575 | $11,500 | -$6,075 | -$6,075 |
| 2 | $9,000 | $2,025 | $11,500 | -$4,525 | -$10,600 |
| 3 | $11,000 | $2,475 | $11,500 | -$2,975 | -$13,575 |
| 4 | $12,400 | $2,790 | $11,500 | -$1,890 | -$15,465 |
| 5 | $14,000 | $3,150 | $11,500 | -$650 | -$16,115 |
| 6 | $15,200 | $3,420 | $11,500 | $280 | -$15,835 |
| 7 | $16,400 | $3,690 | $11,500 | $1,210 | -$14,625 |
| 8 | $17,400 | $3,915 | $11,500 | $1,985 | -$12,640 |
| 9 | $18,200 | $4,095 | $11,500 | $2,605 | -$10,035 |
| 10 | $19,000 | $4,275 | $11,500 | $3,225 | -$6,810 |
| 11 | $19,600 | $4,410 | $11,500 | $3,690 | -$3,120 |
| 12 | $20,000 | $4,500 | $11,500 | $4,000 | $880 |
Year one: revenue $179,200, profit before owner pay $880. The first profitable month is month 6. Cumulative results bottom out at -$16,115, which is the minimum cash cushion this plan would need, before any startup costs.
Rent and machine payments start immediately while customer traffic builds, so this laundromat illustration turns profitable in month 6, with a cumulative low of about $16,100.
How laundry businesses earn
- Machine revenue per wash and dry cycle.
- Wash-and-fold by the pound.
- Pickup and delivery subscriptions or per-order fees.
- Dry cleaning per garment.
A startup checklist
- Study locations: density, competition and parking.
- Estimate utility costs carefully.
- Check environmental rules, especially for on-site dry cleaning.
- Choose reliable equipment and service plans.
- Set up booking and payment software for delivery services.
Where the opportunities are
- Wash-and-fold and delivery subscriptions.
- Commercial laundry for gyms, salons and short-term rentals.
- Modernized laundromats with card payments and comfort.
- Eco-friendly cleaning options.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Turns per day | How often each machine is used daily |
| Wash and fold | Laundry service priced by weight |
| Drop store | A storefront without on-site cleaning |
| Plant | A central facility where garments are cleaned |
Utilities can make or break you
Water, gas and electricity are major costs. Efficient machines and monitoring protect margins.
Marketing a laundry business
Local search, reviews, clear pricing and convenience features such as delivery and app ordering bring customers.
Keep machines running
Out-of-order machines lose revenue and customers. Preventive maintenance and fast repairs matter.
How to use these numbers for your own plan
- Start with the closest model above and its cost structure.
- Replace every price and cost with local quotes: insurance, wages, vehicles, materials and your expected prices.
- Estimate your ramp: how many jobs you can realistically win each month in year one.
- Separate fixed and variable costs, then calculate your break-even point with our free break-even calculator.
- Map cash month by month with our cash flow forecast, including equipment and loan payments.
- Build the plan in our free Business Planner.
These figures will also feed a planned Advanton projection tool, so you’ll be able to start from an industry template and adjust it to your situation.
About this data
Workforce figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 and the 2024 to 2034 projections). Market figures cite their sources in the list above. Business model figures are illustrative months built from typical prices and costs to show how revenue, fixed costs and variable costs fit together; they are not industry averages or guarantees. We review these profiles when new government data is released, at least once a year. The same figures are available in a structured format for Advanton’s upcoming business projection tool.
Licensing and rules
Business license; environmental rules for dry cleaning solvents (on-site cleaning plants face the strictest rules); water and wastewater requirements; local health and zoning rules. Requirements change; confirm with your state and local agencies before you start.
Frequently asked questions
Is a laundromat profitable?
It can be in a good location with efficient equipment, but fixed costs are high.
What do laundry workers earn?
BLS-based sources report a median of about $33,800.
Is pickup and delivery laundry cheaper to start?
Yes, it needs less equipment, often using partner laundromats.
How can I use these numbers?
Start with the closest laundry model, then replace every figure with your local prices, wages and expected volume.
Keep learning
- Laundromat
- Local SEO for contractors
- How to get more contractor leads
- Specialty trades industry data
Sources
Last reviewed October 30, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.
In India
Small businesses like this in India
In MoSPI’s survey of unincorporated businesses (proprietorships, partnerships and similar firms), this falls under Personal and community services (salons, repair, laundry, recreation). In 2023-24 India had 80 lakh such establishments employing 1.08 crore workers, and 87.8% were run without hired workers. Across the wider other services group, the number of establishments grew 10.29% between 2023-24 and 2025.
| Urban | Rural | All India | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value added per business a year | ₹1,90,118 | ₹1,18,169 | ₹1,57,707 |
| Value added per worker a year | ₹1,33,879 | ₹95,399 | ₹1,17,836 |
| Pay per hired worker a year | ₹1,23,337 | ₹76,541 | ₹1,10,529 |
Running it alone or with staff: businesses with no hired workers added about ₹1,16,951 a year on average, while those with hired workers added about ₹5,02,402 (all India).
Where these businesses are: the states with the most small other services businesses are West Bengal (13.1%), Uttar Pradesh (11.6%), Maharashtra (8.8%), Tamil Nadu (6.2%), Gujarat (6.0%) of the national total (2023-24).
Value added is what a business produces minus what it spends on materials and other inputs, before paying its workers and owner, so it’s a rough guide to the income a typical small business generates. These figures cover the whole activity, which can be broader than this one business type. Across all small businesses, average fixed assets such as equipment, furniture and vehicles were ₹3,42,242 per establishment in 2025.
Licences and registrations to expect
- Registration under your state’s Shops and Establishments Act if you have premises or employees.
- A trade licence from your municipal corporation or council for many shop and service businesses.
- GST registration once turnover crosses ₹40 lakh for goods or ₹20 lakh for services (lower in some special category states), or earlier if you sell goods to other states or through e-commerce marketplaces.
- Professional tax registration in states that levy it.
- Free Udyam (MSME) registration, which helps with loans, government schemes and delayed-payment protection.
Rules differ by state and city. Check with your municipal corporation, state departments and a chartered accountant before you start.
Run a business like this in India? List it free in the India Business Directory, with your hours, deals and GST registration.
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Sources: MoSPI, Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2023-24, full report, Appendix A Tables 4, 29, 33, 35 and 37 (survey period October 2023 to September 2024); MoSPI, Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025, factsheet (survey period January to December 2025, released 24 March 2026). Licensing summary by Advanton, checked November 2026.
