What Does a Garment Presser Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a garment presser do?

Pressers, textile, garment and related materials, press or shape articles by hand or machine. The median pay is $35,060 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -15.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$35,060
$16.85/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-15.7%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
2,200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
BLS classification
Time to train
A few weeks on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
26,300
Employment, 2025

What garment pressers do

Garment pressers make clothes look crisp. They use steam presses, irons and forms to press shirts, suits, dresses and linens, at dry cleaners, laundries and clothing factories, and check for stains and damage.

No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects a steep decline.

Typical duties

Press garments
Use steam presses
Hand-iron details
Check for stains
Fold and hang
Tag items
Maintain equipment

Work environment and schedule

Pressers work at dry cleaners, laundries and garment plants.

Schedule: Full or part time, often early hours.

A day in the life

7:00 AMStart steam equipment.
7:30 AMPress shirts.
9:30 AMPress suits.
11:00 AMHand-iron pleats.

See a full day in the life of a garment presser →

Garment Presser salary

Half of garment pressers earned more than $35,060 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $27,180 for the lowest 10% to $43,050 for the top 10%.

$27,18010th$35,060Median$43,05090th

Full garment presser pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a garment presser

Apply to a cleaner or laundry
Learn presses
Learn fabrics
Build speed
Advance

No formal educational credential is required.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a garment presser →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Steam pressing
Hand ironing
Fabric care
Stain spotting
Folding

People skills

Attention to detail
Speed
Reliability
Patience

All garment presser skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

No degree needed
Short training
Steady pace
Quick results

Cons

Steep decline
Heat and steam
Standing
Low pay

Certifications and licenses

DLI training: Drycleaning and Laundry Institute.
Fabric care course: Helpful.
Safety training: Employer.
Customer service: Helpful.

Career path

Presser: Entry.
Lead Presser: Lead.
Spotter: Stains.
Plant Manager: Run plant.

Learn the job before day one

Our Garment Presser training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as press a dress shirt and avoid shine on wool, safety and how to land your first job.

View Garment Presser training Is this career right for me?

Costume Attendant

Care for costumes and help performers change during shows and shoots.

$50,400
A few weeks on the job

Sewing Machine Operator

Run industrial sewing machines to make clothing, upholstery and products.

$36,670
A few weeks on the job

Tailor

Alter, repair and make clothing that fits perfectly.

$41,640
6 months–2 years

Hand Sewer

Sew by hand to finish garments, upholstery and specialty products.

$36,480
Months of practice

Compare: Garment Presser vs. Costume Attendant · Garment Presser vs. Sewing Machine Operator · Garment Presser vs. Tailor · Garment Presser vs. Hand Sewer

Garment Presser FAQ

Do I need experience?

No.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects a steep decline.

Is it hot?

Yes, steam makes work areas warm.

How much does a garment presser make?

The median annual wage for garment pressers was $35,060 ($16.85 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $27,180 and the highest 10% earned more than $43,050.

How long does it take to become a garment presser?

Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.

Do you need a degree to be a garment presser?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-6021 (Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Garment Presser