Mid-Level

Dry Cleaning Counter Clerk

The garment intake specialist โ€” processing drop-offs and pickups while maintaining customer relationships.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
E
S
R
A
I
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Dry Cleaning Counter Clerks
Employment concentration ยท ~389 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Dry Cleaning Counter Clerk

As a Dry Cleaning Counter Clerk, you manage the customer interface of a dry cleaning business. You receive garments, note special instructions, tag items for tracking, quote prices, process pickups, handle payments, and resolve any issues that arise. It's a role that requires attention to detail, customer service skills, and the ability to work efficiently during busy periods.

Your typical day revolves around customer traffic. You inspect incoming items, looking for stains, damage, or anything that needs special attention. You communicate pricing and timing. When customers return, you retrieve their orders, verify everything is correct, process payment, and handle any concerns. Between customers, you organize orders, call customers about ready items, and handle administrative tasks.

The hardest part is balancing thoroughness with efficiency. During rush times, you need to process customers quickly without missing important details about their garments. A missed stain notation or tagging error can create problems later. You also handle disappointment when cleaning doesn't meet expectations or when items are delayed. The people who thrive here are detail-oriented, efficient, and can stay calm and friendly even when customers are frustrated.

RelationshipsModerate
SupportModerate
IndependenceLower
AchievementLower
Working ConditionsLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Store typeCustomer volumeService rangeShift structureSolo vs staffed
Counter clerk work varies by store and location. Upscale cleaners serving professionals have different demands than neighborhood operations. Volume ranges from constant activity to punctuated rushes. Some stores offer extensive services like alterations and specialty cleaning; others focus on basics. Working alone versus with colleagues significantly affects the experience.
โœฆ Editorial โ€” written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape โ€” and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Dry Cleaning Counter Clerks (SOC 41-2021.00), not just this title ยท BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Dry Cleaning Counter Clerk career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit โ€” and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Garment expertise
Understanding fabrics and cleaning processes
2
Operations management
Store management requires understanding the full operation
3
Team leadership
Supervising other counter staff
What are the typical shift hours?
How busy is counter traffic throughout the day?
What systems are used for tracking and pricing?
What happens when something goes wrong with a customer's item?
What opportunities exist for advancement?
โœฆ Editorial โ€” career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape โ€” helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$29Kโ€“$62K
Salary Range
10th โ€“ 90th percentile
399K
U.S. Employment
+3.2%
10yr Growth
46K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$58K$55K$52K201920202021202220232024$52K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 ยท BLS Employment Projections 2024โ€“2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningService OrientationSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringTime ManagementWritingCoordination
O*NET OnLine ยท Bureau of Labor Statistics
41-2021.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) ยท BLS Employment Projections ยท O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.