A Dishwasher in a restaurant mainly washes dishes and disinfects tables, room areas and other equipment, among other kitchen activities.
To hire the most effective and efficient Dishwashers, you must be clear about the requirements and expectations in your Dishwasher job listings.
Our Dishwasher job description template provides an outline of common yet specific dishwashing responsibilities. We’ve also listed appropriate skills and experience requirements so you can use them as a guide when writing your own job description.
We at [Company Name] are seeking a dedicated and organized Dishwasher to join our team.
Your responsibilities will include collecting used dishes, loading clean dishes into dishwashing machines and stacking items appropriately.
Ideal candidates demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, the ability to work efficiently under pressure and a commitment to maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards following food safety procedures and regulations.
If you’re eager to begin your journey in the restaurant industry and contribute to providing an exceptional dining experience for our customers, we encourage you to apply!
Salary: $15–$20/hour (non-tipped position)
Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Dishwasher Duties & Responsibilities
- Remove food residue from dishes by scraping or rinsing
- Operate dishwashing machines, including loading, unloading and monitoring their performance
- Hand-wash delicate items that are not suitable for dishwashers
- Dry and polish dishes and utensils to ensure they are ready for use
- Organize cleaned items and store them appropriately
- Maintain cleanliness of the dishwashing area
Dishwasher Skills Requirements
- Strong attention to detail for proper cleaning and sanitizing of dishes
- Efficient work pace to handle high volumes of dishes during peak hours
- Physical stamina for standing and handling repetitive tasks
- Adaptability to different dishwashing equipment and cleaning methods
Dishwasher Education & Experience
- No formal education is required
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred
- Previous experience is a plus but not required
Benefits:
- 401(k) with company match
- Complimentary meals
- Free uniforms and laundry
- Health insurance, including dental and vision
- Career growth opportunities
Tips for Writing a Dishwasher Job Description
Now that you have a Dishwasher job description sample you can use, it’s time to know how you should fill out each section with your own requirements.
1. Be clear and precise with responsibilities
Although the template already lists some Dishwasher responsibilities, they’re not always appropriate for every employer. Tasks would typically depend on the number of staff, the type of business establishment and the volume of work.
Here are other Dishwasher responsibilities you can choose from as you write your job description:
- Sort and dispose of waste appropriately, including recycling and composting when necessary
- Monitor and replenish cleaning supplies, such as detergents and sanitizers
- Inspect dishes, utensils and kitchen equipment for damage and report any issues
- Assist with kitchen cleaning tasks, such as sweeping and mopping floors
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations in the dishwashing area
- Assist with food preparation tasks, such as peeling vegetables or preparing ingredients, when needed
- Coordinate with kitchen staff to manage dishwashing workflow efficiently
- Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of dishwashing machines and equipment
- Help with organizing and managing inventory of kitchen supplies and equipment
- Support in setting up and breaking down kitchen stations before and after shifts
2. Be flexible with education and experience
Given the nature of their work, employers rarely require a degree or work experience for their Dishwashers. In fact, CareerOneStop lists that 45% of current Dishwashers have a high school diploma, while 34% have educational attainment even lower than a high school diploma.
[Source: CareerOneStop]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the chart to see detailed data.
If you do require or prefer some experience and education, it’s important to be specific. Check out some examples below.
- At least six months to one year of experience as a Dishwasher
- Previous experience in a high-volume kitchen preferred
- High school diploma or equivalent is an advantage
3. Write appropriate skills and qualifications for Dishwashers
Choosing the best skills for the job will depend on the values you care about as an organization and what will be most appropriate for the work your candidates should expect.
If you see that your Dishwasher will most likely work extensively with your kitchen staff, then it’s good to highlight their teamwork and communication skills. If they’re going to be by themselves most of the time, then you should highlight their ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
Here are other examples of skills and qualifications you can include:
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills
- Problem-solving and time management skills
- Good manual dexterity for handling kitchen tools and equipment
- Basic knowledge of cleaning chemicals and kitchen safety protocols
4. Include hourly wage to curb expectations
It’s best to be transparent with the pay for the Dishwasher role, as people after this position usually appreciate knowing what to expect financially by the hour. This can also help you attract more candidates who do not wish to waste time with lengthy application processes only to find out that the pay doesn’t meet their expectations.
As a guide, keep in mind that the average wage for Dishwashers in the U.S. is $15.22 per hour. This can also differ depending on the city or state in which you reside.
For a more in-depth breakdown, check out our Dishwasher salary guide to get an idea of how much you should pay for your Dishwasher in your state and be prepared for salary negotiations.
In addition to base wage, you can list the job benefits your organization offers to create a more attractive overall compensation package for applicants. These can include paid holidays, yearly salary increases, health insurance and more.
Now that you know how to write a job description, prepare for the interview phase of your hiring process with our Dishwasher interview guide.
Dishwasher Job Description FAQ
The average salary for Dishwashers can differ depending on factors such as their experience, the state they’re working in, the type of establishment and more.
Keep in mind, however, that the average salary for Dishwashers in the U.S. is $31,650 per year or $2,637.5 a month.
The top skills effective and efficient Dishwashers have are knowledge of washing equipment, time management, a sense of cleanliness and willingness to work in a team, specifically with other people in the kitchen.
Some of the most important things you can watch out for in a job description or job ad for Dishwasher roles are as follows:
- Schedule: Check the shifts you can take on, whether you need to work during holidays or weekends, etc.
- Responsibilities: Although the duties of a Dishwasher are pretty similar regardless of the establishment you work for, some Dishwasher roles may require you to perform tasks beyond dishwashing, including bussing tables or assisting in food preparation.
- Salary: Some employers post salary ranges for the role so you can have an idea of what to expect pay-wise.
- Job benefits: Check for medical insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, free shift meals and other benefits you can get that can make your job more worthwhile.
