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. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
Sample of reported job titles:
Dry Cleaner, Laundry Aide, Laundry Assistant, Laundry Attendant, Laundry Housekeeper, Laundry Technician, Laundry Worker, Personal Clothing Laundry Aide, Spotter
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Tasks
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Load articles into washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to perform loading.
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Start washers, dry cleaners, driers, or extractors, and turn valves or levers to regulate machine processes and the volume of soap, detergent, water, bleach, starch, and other additives.
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Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.
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Remove items from washers or dry-cleaning machines, or direct other workers to do so.
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Sort and count articles removed from dryers, and fold, wrap, or hang them.
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Clean machine filters, and lubricate equipment.
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Examine and sort into lots articles to be cleaned, according to color, fabric, dirt content, and cleaning technique required.
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Receive and mark articles for laundry or dry cleaning with identifying code numbers or names, using hand or machine markers.
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Apply bleaching powders to spots and spray them with steam to remove stains from fabrics that do not respond to other cleaning solvents.
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Determine spotting procedures and proper solvents, based on fabric and stain types.
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Spray steam, water, or air over spots to flush out chemicals, dry material, raise naps, or brighten colors.
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Pre-soak, sterilize, scrub, spot-clean, and dry contaminated or stained articles, using neutralizer solutions and portable machines.
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Mix bleaching agents with hot water in vats, and soak material until it is bleached.
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Apply chemicals to neutralize the effects of solvents.
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Mix and add detergents, dyes, bleaches, starches, and other solutions and chemicals to clean, color, dry, or stiffen articles.
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Sprinkle chemical solvents over stains, and pat areas with brushes or sponges to remove stains.
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Match sample colors, applying knowledge of bleaching agent and dye properties, and types, construction, conditions, and colors of articles.
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Inspect soiled articles to determine sources of stains, to locate color imperfections, and to identify items requiring special treatment.
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Operate dry-cleaning machines to clean soiled articles.
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Operate machines that comb, dry and polish furs, clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets, or roll and package towels.
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Iron or press articles, fabrics, and furs, using hand irons or pressing machines.
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Hang curtains, drapes, blankets, pants, and other garments on stretch frames to dry.
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Clean fabrics, using vacuums or air hoses.
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Test fabrics in inconspicuous places to determine whether solvents will damage dyes or fabrics.
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Rinse articles in water and acetic acid solutions to remove excess dye and to fix colors.
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Identify articles' fabrics and original dyes by sight and touch, or by testing samples with fire or chemical reagents.
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Start pumps to operate distilling systems that drain and reclaim dry cleaning solvents.
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Immerse articles in bleaching baths to strip colors.
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Spread soiled articles on work tables, and position stained portions over vacuum heads or on marble slabs.
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Mend and sew articles, using hand stitching, adhesive patches, or sewing machines.
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Dye articles to change or restore their colors, using knowledge of textile compositions and the properties and effects of bleaches and dyes.
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Wash, dry-clean, or glaze delicate articles or fur garment linings by hand, using mild detergents or dry cleaning solutions.
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Technology Skills
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Electronic mail software — Email software
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Internet browser software — Web browser software
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Office suite software — Microsoft Office
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Operating system software — Microsoft Windows
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Point of sale POS software — Cents; Curbside Laundries Wash and Fold POS Software; Sales processing software; Wash-Dry-Fold POS
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Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
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Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technologies are requirements frequently included in employer job postings.
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Work Activities
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Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
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Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
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Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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Detailed Work Activities
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Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.
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Direct operational or production activities.
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Operate garment treatment equipment.
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Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.
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Count finished products or workpieces.
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Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
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Clean production equipment.
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Lubricate production equipment.
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Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains.
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Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
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Select equipment, materials, or supplies for cleaning or maintenance activities.
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Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
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Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.
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Smooth garments with irons, presses, or steamers.
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Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
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Test materials, solutions, or samples.
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Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.
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Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions.
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Operate sewing equipment.
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Prepare fabrics or materials for processing or production.
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Repair textiles or apparel.
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Sew clothing or other articles.
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Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
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Work Context
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Spend Time Standing — 80% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
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Responsible for Others' Health and Safety — 54% responded “Very high responsibility.”
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Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment — 55% responded “Extremely important.”
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Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — 64% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
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Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 67% responded “Every day.”
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Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 59% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
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Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 40% responded “Extremely important.”
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Time Pressure — 69% responded “Every day.”
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Face-to-Face Discussions — 52% responded “Every day.”
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Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 41% responded “Very high responsibility.”
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Work With Work Group or Team — 37% responded “Extremely important.”
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Spend Time Walking and Running — 35% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
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Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 62% responded “Every day.”
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Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 32% responded “Very important results.”
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Level of Competition — 32% responded “Extremely competitive.”
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Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body — 37% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
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Degree of Automation — 24% responded “Completely automated.”
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Contact With Others — 36% responded “Constant contact with others.”
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Exposed to Disease or Infections — 49% responded “Every day.”
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Structured versus Unstructured Work — 33% responded “A lot of freedom.”
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Physical Proximity — 42% responded “Moderately close (at arm's length).”
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Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 31% responded “Not important at all.”
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Exposed to Contaminants — 47% responded “Never.”
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Job Zone
- Title
- Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
- Education
- Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
- Related Experience
- Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.
- Job Zone Examples
- These occupations involve following instructions and helping others. Examples include food preparation workers, dishwashers, sewing machine operators, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, logging equipment operators, and baristas.
- SVP Range
- Up to 3 months of preparation (Below 4.0)
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Training & Credentials
- State training
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- Local training
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- Certifications
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- Apprenticeships
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Have a career path or location in mind? Visit Apprenticeship.gov
to find apprenticeship opportunities near you.
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Skills
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Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
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Abilities
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Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
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Interests
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Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
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Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
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Work Values
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Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
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Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
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Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
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Work Styles
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Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
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Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
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Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
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Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
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Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
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Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
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Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
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Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
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Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
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Wages & Employment Trends
- Median wages (2021)
- $13.63 hourly, $28,350 annual
- State wages
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- Local wages
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- Employment (2020)
- 175,500 employees
- Projected growth (2020-2030)
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Faster than average (10% to 15%)
- Projected job openings (2020-2030)
- 26,600
- State trends
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- Top industries (2020)
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 wage data
and 2020-2030 employment projections
.
“Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.
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Job Openings on the Web
- State job openings
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- Local job openings
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