Laundry workers

What does a laundry worker do? – Tasks and work environment

A laundry worker is responsible for washing, drying, ironing, and pressing textiles in settings such as hotels, hospitals, and industries. Tasks include sorting dirty laundry, monitoring industrial machines, quality control, and packaging and delivering clean textiles. The job often involves physical work in environments with high pace, where heavy lifting and repetitive movements occur. The work environment is characterized by machine noise, heat, and sometimes humidity, requiring good physical condition and attention to detail.

Salary development over time

The salary for laundry workers has shown a relatively stable development over the past three years with some increase. In 2022, the average salary was 26,600 SEK, followed by a slight increase to 26 500 SEK in 2023. Between 2023 and 2024, a clearer increase to 27 800 SEK was observed, corresponding to a salary increase of approximately 4.9%. This development can be linked to general wage negotiations within the industry and a certain shortage of labor in some regions, which has helped push wages up. Despite this, the overall salary level for laundry workers remains relatively low compared to other industrial jobs, which can be explained by the low formal education requirements and the high proportion of routine tasks.

Laundry worker salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 27 800 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 23,400 SEK/month (male, public sector, high school education 3 years)
• Highest salary: 30,000 SEK/month (female, public sector, high school education up to 2 years)
• Hourly wage (average): 167 SEK
• Gender differences: Women 27 900 SEK, men 27 700 SEK (practically the same)
• Regional differences: Small, but some variation may occur depending on employer and location

Education and qualifications

To work as a laundry worker, usually no extensive formal education is required; induction and training often take place at the workplace. High school education, especially in industrial technology or similar practical programs, can be advantageous. Some workplaces require basic knowledge of machines, hygiene, and work environment, but practical experience and the ability to work systematically are most valued.

• Education: High school education (industry, practical programs), often 2–3 years
• Introduction: On-site training, often 1–3 months
• Internships: Internships or summer jobs within industry, laundry, or cleaning can be advantageous
• Prerequisites: Good physical condition, precision, and teamwork skills are prioritized
• Courses: Occupational safety, machine safety, and hygiene routines are sometimes offered internally

Common benefits and compensations

For laundry workers, it is common to have collective agreement benefits such as paid vacation, occupational pension, and overtime pay for work during inconvenient hours. Many workplaces also offer work clothing, wellness contributions, and sometimes subsidized lunch or coffee. Training in occupational safety and machine safety is available, and some employers provide insurance for work-related injuries.

Competition and challenges

The competition for jobs as a laundry worker varies depending on region and economic conditions, but there is generally a relatively stable demand for labor in the profession. Challenges include monotonous tasks, physically demanding environments, and the risk of strain injuries from improper handling of heavy textiles. Increased automation means fewer people may be needed in the future, while technical skills become more important. Employment security is also affected by the economic situation in the hotel and healthcare sectors, which account for a large part of laundry service demand. Significant fluctuations in workload can occur, especially during peak seasons in sectors like hospitality.

Tips for those who want to become laundry workers

To succeed as a laundry worker, it is good to have a sense of order and precision, as the quality of the finished product is often judged by the customer. Endurance and good physical condition facilitate the work, which can be repetitive and sometimes heavy. Flexibility is an asset, especially when tasks shift between machine monitoring and manual handling of textiles. The ability to quickly grasp new instructions and an interest in technology are valuable, as modern laundries often use advanced machines. Teamwork and a positive attitude contribute to a good work environment, as the work is often done in teams. Punctuality and responsibility are also appreciated, since routines and schedules are central to smooth production.

Key facts about laundry workers

• Salary range: 23,400–30,000 SEK/month
• Average salary: 27 800 SEK/month
• Education level: High school education, often practical focus
• Typical work arrangement: Shift work or daytime, often in teams
• Demand: 1,437 job openings in the profession (May 2024)

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a laundry worker, there are opportunities to advance to supervisory roles, such as team leader, machine responsible, or training coordinator within the workplace. Some pursue further education in industrial production or logistics to broaden their scope. Projections from the Employment Service indicate that it is difficult to give an exact future outlook for the profession due to limited data, but the sector is characterized by stable demand, especially in the public sector and service industries. Increased automation and technological development may change the nature of work in the future, but the need for meticulous and responsible laundry workers is expected to remain for the foreseeable future.

Frequently asked questions about laundry workers

• What is the average salary of a laundry worker?
  - The average salary is 27 800 SEK/month.
• How large is the salary difference between men and women?
  - Women earn 27 900 SEK/month, men 27 700 SEK/month, which means almost no difference.
• What are the highest and lowest salaries for a laundry worker?
  - The lowest salary is 23,400 SEK/month, the highest 30,000 SEK/month.
• What education is required to become a laundry worker?
  - High school education is common but not always required; training is often on-site.
• What does the future look like for the profession?
  - 1,437 job openings within the profession; the outlook is considered stable but influenced by technological development.
• Are there regional salary differences?
  - Regional differences are small, but some variation may occur depending on employer and location.
• What benefits are common?
  - Collective agreements, overtime pay, occupational pension, and wellness contributions are common.