Carpet Cleaners
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Carpet Cleaners cleans carpet, rugs and furniture upholstery using powder, liquid and steam cleaning methods, and apply soil-repellent chemicals and deodorants.
Specialisations: Upholstery Cleaner.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Carpet Cleaner. Some workers have a certificate II or III in carpet cleaning operations.
Tasks
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Cleans carpets and upholstered furniture using cleaning machines and their attachments.
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Selects and applies cleaning agents to remove stains from carpets and other surfaces.
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Fills carpet cleaning machines with water and other cleaning agents.
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Pushes pile-lifting machines over carpets and brushes pile to raise and fluff nap.
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Treats carpets with soil-repellent chemicals and deodorants, and treats for pests.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Other Cleaners, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 44% of people employed as Carpet Cleaners work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 22 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Carpet Cleaners work in the Other services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
- Administrative and support services
- Accommodation and food services
- Health care and social assistance.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Carpet Cleaners | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 20.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 24.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.9 | 7.0 |
WA | 12.7 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.7 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 49% of Carpet Cleaners live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Carpet Cleaners is 47 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 11% of the workforce. This is 37 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Carpet Cleaners | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 5.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 14.5 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 21.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 29.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 13.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 9.0 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 6.1 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 47 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Carpet Cleaner. Some workers have a certificate II or III in carpet cleaning operations.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Property Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Carpet Cleaners | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 6.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 6.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 24.7 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 22.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 9.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 28.6 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Other Laundry Workers who are reliable and hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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36%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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36%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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34%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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34%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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34%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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32%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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32%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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32%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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30%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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30%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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30%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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30%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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30%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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30%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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30%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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30%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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29%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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29%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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41%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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37%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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36%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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35%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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35%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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31%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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30%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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29%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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28%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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23%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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23%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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22%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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21%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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20%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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19%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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17%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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16%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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16%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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14%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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14%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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45%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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45%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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39%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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37%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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37%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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37%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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36%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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36%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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34%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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34%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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34%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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32%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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32%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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32%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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32%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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59%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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48%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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46%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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46%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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43%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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41%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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40%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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40%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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39%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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38%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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36%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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36%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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35%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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34%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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34%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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34%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
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33%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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32%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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31%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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30%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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90%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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48%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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52%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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48%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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38%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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33%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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29%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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92%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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85%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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83%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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82%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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82%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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80%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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79%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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78%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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77%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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75%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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74%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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74%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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70%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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70%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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69%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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68%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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65%
Automation of tasksDo tasks that are mostly automated.
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65%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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64%
Disease or infectionBe exposed to disease or infections.
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64%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-6011.00 - Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.