The average hourly wage for a Dishwasher in the United States (U.S.) is $15.22 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Average Dishwasher Base Salary:
How Much Does a Dishwasher Make in the United States?
Some Dishwashers can earn as little as $10.42 (10th percentile), while others may earn as much as $17.48 (90th percentile) per hour.
Dishwashers rarely get tips directly but can participate in tip pools when the employer doesn’t take a tip credit. If the employer takes a tip credit, the tip pool is limited to employees who typically receive tips, such as Waiters and Bartenders.
Annual Mean Wage of Dishwashers by State
The average base salary for a Dishwasher in the U.S. is $2,637.5 per month or $31,650 per year.
Check out the U.S. map below for a detailed overview of annual mean wages by state.
[Source: BLS]
This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
It’s worth noting that the annual Dishwasher wages vary across the U.S. and are affected by factors such as cost of living, demand for labor and state-specific labor laws.
For example, in states with higher living costs, employers might offer higher salaries to attract and retain employees. Alternatively, Dishwasher salaries in states with lower living costs can be comparatively lower.
State-specific labor laws can also greatly affect average wages by regulating minimum wages, overtime pay and fair compensation practices.
Factors That Affect Average Dishwasher Salary
Several factors affect the Dishwasher salary offered by an employer. In addition to cost of living, demand for labor and state-specific labor laws, factors such as the type of establishment and experience can further influence the salary.
Type of Employer
The type of employer and the kind of establishment it has can greatly affect the salary a Dishwasher gets.
For example, a fine-dining restaurant may offer higher wages for Dishwashers as their menu items are priced higher than in casual dining or fast-food restaurants. As a result, they often allocate more resources to the kitchen staff’s wages.
Casual dining restaurants, on the other hand, might offer competitive, albeit moderate salaries despite not having the prestige of fine-dining restaurants. Conversely, fast-food restaurants often pay lower wages even though they can have much higher volumes of dishes for washing.
Experience
Experience can play an important factor in a Dishwasher’s salary. For example, Dishwashers with no experience are often paid the minimum wage, while some may be paid a training wage until they are proficient in the Dishwasher duties.
Dishwashers with a few years of experience can receive incremental pay raises based on their performance, reliability and efficiency.
Schedule
Dishwashers who work nights or weekends can earn higher wages because these shifts are usually busier and more fast-paced. Employers may offer higher wages to attract workers during these peak hours.
Employment
Full-time Dishwashers generally receive better wages and job benefits than part-time, hourly or temporary workers. Working as a full-time Dishwasher offers more stability and commitment with consistent hours, regular income and a more solid routine and structure.
Dishwasher Salary in Major US Cities
Dishwasher wages vary across U.S. cities. Of the four major cities we compared, Los Angeles offers the highest average base wage for Dishwashers at $37,860 per year.
Annual mean wage $29,010 # of employees 11,610
Annual mean wage $36,220 # of employees 29,780
Annual mean wage $33,970 # of employees 11,270
Annual mean wage $37,860 # of employees 25,690
[Sources: BLS; New York State Department of Labor; Illinois Department of Employment Security; California Employment Development Department]
Dishwashers in Miami earn the lowest average base wage at $29,010 per year.
Regardless of these discrepancies, there has been a growing demand for Dishwashers since 2020, making it a good time to consider applying.
[Source: BLS]
High-Paying Cities for Dishwashers
| City | Avg Salary | Avg Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 27,080 | 13.02 |
| NYC, NY | 36,220 | 17.41 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 36,028 | 17.32 |
| Chicago, IL | 31,161 | 14.98 |
Average Dishwasher Salary by State
Based on BLS’s list of salaries per state, Washington is the highest-paying state for Dishwashers in the U.S., with an average annual wage of $39,350, followed by Hawaii, with $38,150.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $24,900 |
| Alaska | $30,510 |
| Arizona | $33,780 |
| Arkansas | $27,490 |
| California | $37,800 |
| Colorado | $35,710 |
| Connecticut | $32,700 |
| Delaware | $28,830 |
| Florida | $29,060 |
| Georgia | $28,390 |
| Hawaii | $38,150 |
| Idaho | $26,570 |
| Illinois | $33,390 |
| Indiana | $27,690 |
| Iowa | $25,600 |
| Kansas | $26,620 |
| Kentucky | $26,900 |
| Louisiana | $24,090 |
| Maine | $32,650 |
| Maryland | $32,190 |
| Massachusetts | $37,270 |
| Michigan | $28,950 |
| Minnesota | $31,160 |
| Mississippi | $23,250 |
| Missouri | $29,780 |
| Montana | $26,420 |
| Nebraska | $27,830 |
| Nevada | $33,140 |
| New Hampshire | $29,890 |
| New Jersey | $33,130 |
| New Mexico | $28,620 |
| New York | $35,600 |
| North Carolina | $27,810 |
| North Dakota | $28,440 |
| Ohio | $27,680 |
| Oklahoma | $25,340 |
| Oregon | $34,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,810 |
| Rhode Island | $33,080 |
| South Carolina | $27,260 |
| South Dakota | $26,170 |
| Tennessee | $28,700 |
| Texas | $27,900 |
| Utah | $28,340 |
| Vermont | $33,770 |
| Virginia | $30,290 |
| Washington | $39,350 |
| West Virginia | $24,910 |
| Wisconsin | $26,380 |
| Wyoming | $27,760 |
| District of Columbia | $37,610 |
Meanwhile, Mississippi and West Virginia pay the lowest, with $21,510 and $24,026 base per year, respectively.
This discrepancy in wages between states can be attributed to the higher cost of living in Washington and the District of Columbia compared to Mississippi and West Virginia.
Washington and the District of Columbia are also major urban centers with high-end restaurant scenes and a high demand for hospitality workers.
Meanwhile, Mississippi and West Virginia have a lower population density and fewer large metropolitan areas.
Non-Monetary Benefits and Perks for Dishwashers
Non-monetary benefits and perks offered to Dishwashers are important both to employers and candidates as they can have a positive effect on employee retention, morale and overall well-being.
Depending on the type of employment (Think: full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal or on-call), type of establishment, policies and industry, these benefits and perks can include:
- Employee discounts: Some establishments provide employees with free meals or discounted prices for their products or services.
- Paid time off (PTO): Full-time Dishwashers can expect PTO, including vacation days, sick leave and holidays.
- 401(k): Depending on company policies, employers sometimes offer retirement plans, such as 401(k) or matching contributions to employees’ retirement accounts.
Top 5 Skills Needed for Dishwashers
Although the position of Dishwasher does not require extensive qualifications, it is best to understand the skills with which you can get the job more easily and effectively.
1. Equipment Mastery
Dishwashers must be knowledgeable about operating various dishwashing models. They must be conversant with the various cycles and settings based on the requirements of the establishment. They should also be able to perform simple repairs and troubleshooting on their own.
2. Organizational Efficiency
Everything goes more quickly and easily when dishwashing is done methodically. Sorting objects according to size, kind and material guarantees that comparable items are cleaned together, extending the life of each wash cycle and lowering the possibility of breaking or damage.
3. Time Management
You must prioritize your tasks as a Dishwasher based on workload and urgency. This ability entails foreseeing busy times and making appropriate preparations, such as pre-soaking very soiled dishes.
4. Sense of Cleanliness
Dishwashers need to keep their workstations clean and sanitized at all times to ensure food safety. By removing all food residue and properly sanitizing dishes and other kitchenware, there is a reduced risk of cross-contamination and foodborne illnesses.
5. Team Collaboration
Working collaboratively with kitchen staff and servers fosters a cohesive and efficient work environment. Being coordinated with your team helps keep everyone productive and mindful of their tasks.
Education Requirements for Dishwashers
There are no legal requirements regarding Dishwashers’ education, so the employer usually defines it when advertising a job opening.
[Source: O*NET OnLine]
The most common requirement found in available job ads is a high school diploma or GED certificate.
How Much Do Similar Careers to a Dishwasher Get Paid?
Dishwashers earn more than Food Runners and Cashiers but less than Waiters/Waitresses and Valets.
All these positions are typically entry-level roles and can be great starting points for job seekers’ career growth. Check out some of the best-paying Dishwasher jobs in the U.S. available now.
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Runner | |
| Cashier | |
| Waiter/Waitress | |
| Valet |
Dishwasher Career Progression
The Dishwasher role is typically a starting role in the industry, which means there are many ways Dishwashers can go up the ladder.
Below are just a few examples of how Dishwashers can grow in the culinary, food service management and hospitality industries.
Dishwasher
Prep Cook
Line Cook
Sous Chef
Dishwasher
Busser
Server
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Dishwasher
Porter
Receptionist
Concierge
Labor Laws and Taxes for Dishwashers
All employees, including Dishwashers, need to be mindful of the minimum wage, overtime pay, leave and tipping policies. However, keep in mind that these can differ per state.
Check out our Labor Law Guides for major states below. You can also view more here.
- New York Labor Law Guide
- Illinois Labor Law Guide
- California Labor Law Guide
- Florida Labor Law Guide
To easily calculate your take-home pay in consideration of federal, state and local taxes in your state, use our free Paycheck Calculator.
Total Tax
Net pay
Disclaimer: Please note that this paycheck calculator is designed to provide an estimate and should not be considered as professional tax advice. The actual withholding amounts and taxes owed may vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors. For accurate and personalized tax advice, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.
Dishwasher Salary FAQs
Some benefits offered to Dishwashers can include flexible scheduling, employee discounts on meals, competitive pay, chances for career growth and access to retirement and health insurance plans.
However, keep in mind that benefits are normally given to full-time workers and can also vary according to the employer. Always check the job description or the company careers page to see what benefits the employer offers to its staff.
Dishwashers don’t typically receive tips as they operate as back-of-house employees. If you have other tasks, such as bussing tables, it may be possible to get tips directly.
If you work for establishments with a “tipping-out” policy, then tips are also possible as this policy allows front-of-house staff, such as Hosts and Servers, to split their tip pools with kitchen staff.
If you’re unsure about what salary is reasonable for your role, see our salary trends articles to learn about the pay range that applies to your location, industry and level of expertise.
In the U.S., the average salary for a Dishwasher is $2,637.5 base per month or $31,660 base per year. You can also check out the list of the average salaries for your state to see where your pay stands. States like Washington and the District of Columbia, for example, are the top payers when it comes to average annual Dishwasher wages.
Niche industries like performing arts and event promoters and specialized schools offer the highest average salaries at $40,090 and $37,980 per year, respectively.
Meanwhile, the traveler accommodation industry is the third highest-paying industry with an average salary of $37,680 per year.
Dishwashers in the states of Washington, Hawaii and California earn the highest average salaries at $39,350, $38,150 and $37,800 per year, respectively.
