Peernovo
Launderers and fullers

How to become a Dry Cleaner

Also called: Laundry ironer, Laundry worker, Laundry finisher, Laundry presser, Stain remover, Dry cleaning worker, Linen supply worker

Cleans clothing, leather goods and special materials at dry cleaning shops and cleaning factories.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say high school is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

To become a licensed dry cleaner (kuriningu shi), you pass the dry cleaner exam held by each prefecture and then apply for a licence. Anyone who has finished junior high school can sit the exam, with no age or other limits. The written subjects cover hygiene law, public health and the handling of laundry, and the practical test includes ironing a dress shirt, identifying fibres and identifying stains. Every three years there is a renewal course to keep your knowledge up to date and sharpen your skills. You can learn the skills and how to run a business on the job, gain the licence and open your own shop. You need a wish to serve customers, the persistence to find the cause of stains and deal with them, and the responsibility to look after customers' items and return them reliably.

Ways in

Pay · Job openings · AI and this job

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Dry Cleaner?

To become a licensed dry cleaner (kuriningu shi), you pass the dry cleaner exam held by each prefecture and then apply for a licence. Anyone who has finished junior high school can sit the exam, with no age or other limits. The written subjects cover hygiene law, public health and the handling of laundry, and the practical test includes ironing a dress shirt, identifying fibres and identifying stains. Every three years there is a renewal course to keep your knowledge up to date and sharpen your skills. You can learn the skills and how to run a business on the job, gain the licence and open your own shop. You need a wish to serve customers, the persistence to find the cause of stains and deal with them, and the responsibility to look after customers' items and return them reliably.

How much does a Dry Cleaner earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥2,983,200 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).

Do you need a degree to become a Dry Cleaner?

Usually not. In this job's census occupation group, only 8% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of a Dry Cleaner?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026