A Dishwasher in the United States usually earns around $34,810 per year at the national median, or about $16.73 per hour, according to the latest 2025 wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A dishwasher salary can be different from one state to another, and the actual dishwasher pay also depends on the restaurant, hotel, cafeteria, hospital, work schedule, experience, and local wage levels. Many dishwasher jobs are entry-level positions and normally do not require a formal degree. For workers searching for how much does a dishwasher make, dishwasher salary, dishwasher hourly pay, dishwasher annual salary, or dishwasher jobs salary, the national numbers give a useful starting point, but state and employer differences can be important. Current job-market data also shows dishwasher hourly pay around the mid-$15 to $16 range, while some jobs advertise higher rates depending on location and employer.
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How Much Does a Dishwasher Make in the USA?
The dishwasher salary in the USA is generally an hourly paid job, especially in restaurants and other food service businesses. The latest BLS wage data for Dishwashers, SOC 35-9021, shows a national median wage of $34,810 per year, which is $16.73 per hour. The middle part of the wage range is not the same for every worker. The lower 10 percent earn about $26,200 or less per year, while the top 10 percent earn about $42,860 or more. This means a dishwasher starting pay can be quite different from what an experienced worker may receive in a busy restaurant, hotel, resort, or higher-wage city.
Dishwasher work is mainly focused on keeping dishes, kitchen equipment, utensils, pots, pans and other food-service items clean and ready for use. The job can also include cleaning kitchen areas, removing trash, stocking supplies and helping other kitchen workers when needed. Current occupational information shows that dishwashers commonly learn the work through short-term on-the-job training, so this job can be one way to enter the food service industry without a formal educational credential.
Dishwasher Salary by State
Dishwasher wages can change a lot across the United States. The table below uses 2025 BLS OEWS-based state wage data and shows the median annual dishwasher salary for each state. The national median is $34,810 per year. Some states have median wages above the national figure, while other states have lower median wages. Cost of living, local labor markets, restaurant demand and state wage rules can all be part of the reason pay is different, although the wage figures by themselves do not explain the cause of each difference.
| State | Median Dishwasher Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,930 |
| Alaska | $33,890 |
| Arizona | $35,130 |
| Arkansas | $27,540 |
| California | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $37,840 |
| Connecticut | $35,550 |
| Delaware | $35,780 |
| Florida | $31,240 |
| Georgia | $29,730 |
| Hawaii | $37,740 |
| Idaho | $29,920 |
| Illinois | $36,180 |
| Indiana | $29,480 |
| Iowa | $29,300 |
| Kansas | $28,060 |
| Kentucky | $29,060 |
| Louisiana | $26,440 |
| Maine | $35,620 |
| Maryland | $34,030 |
| Massachusetts | $37,190 |
| Michigan | $31,300 |
| Minnesota | $34,060 |
| Mississippi | $26,300 |
| Missouri | $32,150 |
| Montana | $30,130 |
| Nebraska | $29,740 |
| Nevada | $34,920 |
| New Hampshire | $34,960 |
| New Jersey | $35,900 |
| New Mexico | $30,520 |
| New York | $35,450 |
| North Carolina | $30,340 |
| North Dakota | $29,980 |
| Ohio | $29,520 |
| Oklahoma | $27,390 |
| Oregon | $36,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,950 |
| Rhode Island | $33,960 |
| South Carolina | $29,160 |
| South Dakota | $28,190 |
| Tennessee | $30,530 |
| Texas | $29,610 |
| Utah | $31,830 |
| Vermont | $36,010 |
| Virginia | $33,130 |
| Washington | $40,080 |
| West Virginia | $26,460 |
| Wisconsin | $29,070 |
| Wyoming | $29,600 |
Washington has the highest state median dishwasher salary in the 2025 BLS-based state data at about $40,080 per year. California, Colorado, Hawaii and Massachusetts are also above $37,000 at the median. At the other end, West Virginia, Louisiana and Mississippi have median annual wages below $27,000. The District of Columbia is not a state, but its median dishwasher wage is about $38,670 and can be useful for comparison with the states.
Dishwasher Hourly Pay
Hourly pay is one of the most important ways people look at dishwasher wages because many dishwasher positions are paid by the hour. The 2025 BLS data places the national median at $16.73 per hour. The 10th percentile is about $12.59 per hour and the 90th percentile is about $20.61 per hour. Actual dishwasher hourly pay on a job advertisement can be outside these figures, particularly when an employer has a different wage structure, location or schedule.
- National median dishwasher pay: about $16.73 per hour
- 10th percentile wage: about $12.59 per hour
- 25th percentile wage: about $14.27 per hour
- 75th percentile wage: about $18.00 per hour
- 90th percentile wage: about $20.61 per hour
Current Indeed salary information also reports an average dishwasher base salary of about $16.00 per hour in the United States, based on recent job-posting and salary data. This is close to the BLS median and shows why a person searching for dishwasher pay per hour will commonly see figures around the mid-teens, although the actual offer can be lower or higher.
Dishwasher Annual Salary
The dishwasher annual salary depends heavily on the number of hours worked. A full-time worker who stays around 40 hours per week can use the hourly wage as a simple way to estimate yearly gross income. For example, $15 per hour for 40 hours every week would be about $31,200 before taxes. At $16 per hour it would be about $33,280, and at $18 per hour it would be about $37,440. These are simple full-time calculations and actual yearly income can be different when a worker has part-time hours, overtime, unpaid time off, seasonal work or changes in hourly pay.
- $14 per hour at 40 hours a week: about $29,120 per year
- $15 per hour at 40 hours a week: about $31,200 per year
- $16 per hour at 40 hours a week: about $33,280 per year
- $17 per hour at 40 hours a week: about $35,360 per year
- $18 per hour at 40 hours a week: about $37,440 per year
- $20 per hour at 40 hours a week: about $41,600 per year
How Much Does a Dishwasher Make a Week?
A dishwasher weekly pay can change based on the hourly rate and number of hours worked. A full-time dishwasher working around 40 hours per week at $16.73 per hour, which is close to the national median wage, would make about $669 before taxes in a normal 40-hour week. But many restaurant workers do not always get the same hours every week. Some may work 20 to 30 hours, while others can get extra shifts during busy weekends, holidays or tourist seasons.
- $14 per hour for 20 hours: about $280 per week
- $15 per hour for 30 hours: about $450 per week
- $16 per hour for 40 hours: about $640 per week
- $16.73 per hour for 40 hours: about $669 per week
- $18 per hour for 40 hours: about $720 per week
- $20 per hour for 40 hours: about $800 per week
These figures are gross pay before federal, state and local taxes. Take-home pay will be lower after taxes and any other deductions. A dishwasher who gets overtime can also make more than the normal weekly amount, but overtime depends on the employer, work schedule and applicable wage laws.
Dishwasher Monthly Salary
For people searching dishwasher monthly salary, there is no single fixed monthly amount because this is normally an hourly food service job. A useful estimate can be made from a full-time 40-hour workweek. At $16 per hour, the gross monthly income works out to around $2,773 when annual pay is divided across 12 months. At the national BLS median of $16.73 per hour, the equivalent monthly gross pay is around $2,901.
- $14 per hour: about $2,427 per month
- $15 per hour: about $2,600 per month
- $16 per hour: about $2,773 per month
- $16.73 per hour: about $2,901 per month
- $18 per hour: about $3,120 per month
- $20 per hour: about $3,467 per month
These are annualized estimates based on full-time work and should not be treated as a guaranteed monthly salary. A part-time dishwasher, seasonal employee or worker with changing weekly hours may earn much less in a particular month.
Dishwasher Starting Pay
Dishwasher starting pay is often near the lower part of the local wage range, especially when someone has no previous restaurant experience. Many employers provide training after hiring because the basic work can be learned on the job. A new dishwasher may start with cleaning dishes, loading commercial dish machines, putting clean items away and keeping the dish area organized.
Starting pay can still be different between two restaurants in the same city. A small local restaurant may offer one rate while a large hotel, resort, casino or busy restaurant may advertise another. State and local minimum wage rules also matter, so the legal minimum can affect the starting offer.
- Entry-level dishwasher jobs may require little or no previous experience.
- Training is commonly provided by the employer.
- Starting wages depend on local minimum wage and employer pay rates.
- Evening, weekend and holiday shifts may be common in food service.
- Busy restaurants may have more opportunities for additional shifts.
Restaurant Dishwasher Salary
A restaurant dishwasher is responsible for one of the basic parts of keeping a kitchen running. During a busy service, plates, glasses, pans and cooking equipment can build up very quickly. The dishwasher keeps these items moving through the washing process so cooks and servers can continue using clean equipment.
Restaurant dishwasher salary can vary according to the type and size of the restaurant. A high-volume restaurant may have several dishwashers working during the busiest periods, while a small restaurant may have one person handling most of the dish area. The job can also involve more cleaning duties in smaller kitchens.
- Wash plates, glasses, utensils, pots and pans.
- Operate commercial dishwashing equipment.
- Sort dirty and clean kitchen items.
- Keep the dishwashing area clean and organized.
- Remove garbage and food waste when required.
- Help kitchen staff with basic cleaning and stocking tasks.
- Follow restaurant food safety and sanitation procedures.
Kitchen Dishwasher Salary
A kitchen dishwasher may do more than simply wash dishes. In many restaurants the position is part of the kitchen support team. The worker can be asked to clean floors, take out trash, refill supplies, clean kitchen equipment and help maintain a safe work area. Because of this, the actual duties can depend on the restaurant and job description.
Kitchen dishwasher salary is generally based on hourly wages rather than a fixed professional salary. Workers who stay with an employer and gain experience may move into other kitchen positions such as prep cook, line cook or other food preparation roles. A dishwasher job can therefore be an entry point into restaurant work for someone who wants to learn the industry.
Dishwasher Salary by Experience
Experience can influence dishwasher pay, but it does not work exactly like a professional career where each additional year automatically creates a higher salary. Restaurants mainly look at the worker's ability to perform the job reliably, work during busy service and follow sanitation and safety procedures.
A new worker may start close to the local entry-level rate. Someone with restaurant experience may have more choices and can sometimes negotiate a higher starting rate when changing employers. Workers who take on additional kitchen responsibilities may also move into different positions with different pay.
- New dishwasher: Usually starts near the local entry-level wage.
- Some restaurant experience: May qualify for a better hourly offer.
- Experienced dishwasher: Can be trusted with busy shifts and more kitchen responsibilities.
- Senior kitchen worker: May move into prep, cooking or other food-service positions.
Dishwasher Salary With Overtime
Overtime can increase dishwasher income when a worker is eligible and works beyond the applicable overtime threshold. Under U.S. federal law, covered nonexempt employees generally must receive overtime pay at not less than one and one-half times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. State laws can provide additional protections or different rules.
For example, a dishwasher earning $16 per hour would have a basic overtime rate of $24 per hour under the federal one-and-a-half-times calculation. If the worker receives 45 hours in a qualifying workweek, the five overtime hours would add around $120 to the normal 40-hour gross pay, before taxes and other deductions.
- Regular rate of $15/hour can produce an overtime rate of $22.50/hour.
- Regular rate of $16/hour can produce an overtime rate of $24/hour.
- Regular rate of $18/hour can produce an overtime rate of $27/hour.
- Regular rate of $20/hour can produce an overtime rate of $30/hour.
Not every dishwasher receives overtime hours. Restaurants can control schedules according to customer demand, staffing and business needs, so overtime should not be counted as guaranteed income when estimating a normal annual salary.
Dishwasher Job Duties
The main dishwasher job duties are related to cleaning and supporting the kitchen. The work can be physically active because the employee may stand for most of the shift, lift containers and kitchen equipment, move racks of dishes and work around water, cleaning products and hot equipment.
- Collect dirty dishes from kitchen and dining areas.
- Scrape food from plates and other items before washing.
- Load and unload commercial dish machines.
- Wash pots, pans and larger cooking equipment by hand when needed.
- Store clean dishes and kitchen equipment in the correct place.
- Clean sinks, counters and dishwashing areas.
- Take garbage and food waste to designated areas.
- Restock clean dishes, utensils and kitchen supplies.
- Follow workplace safety and sanitation rules.
What Does a Dishwasher Do?
What does a dishwasher do during a normal shift? The answer depends on the workplace, but the main job is to keep dishes and kitchen equipment clean and available for the rest of the food service team. In a busy restaurant, the dishwasher can be working almost continuously because clean plates and pans are needed again and again.
The dishwasher may start by preparing the dish area, checking the machine, organizing racks and making sure cleaning supplies are available. During service the worker handles dirty dishes, washes them and returns clean items to their storage locations. At the end of a shift, cleaning the dish machine and surrounding area is often part of the job.
Dishwasher Requirements
Most dishwasher jobs do not require a college degree. Employers usually focus more on reliability, ability to follow instructions, physical ability to perform the work and willingness to work as part of a kitchen team. Some employers may prefer previous restaurant experience, but many entry-level dishwasher jobs are open to workers without previous food-service experience.
- Usually no college degree is required.
- Previous restaurant experience may not be required for entry-level jobs.
- Ability to stand and work for long periods can be important.
- Workers need to follow cleaning and food safety instructions.
- Good attendance and dependable work are important in busy kitchens.
- Some positions require evening, weekend or holiday availability.
- Workers may need to lift and move dishes, pans and kitchen supplies.
Dishwasher Work Schedule
Dishwasher work schedules are usually connected with restaurant operating hours. Many restaurants need dishwashers during lunch and dinner, with the busiest periods often occurring around meal times. Some positions can have morning shifts, while others may finish late at night after the kitchen closes.
Part-time and full-time dishwasher jobs are both available. A worker looking for extra income may prefer part-time evening or weekend shifts, while someone looking for a full-time dishwasher salary will normally need a schedule with enough weekly hours to reach around 40 hours.
- Morning dishwasher shifts
- Lunch and afternoon shifts
- Dinner and evening shifts
- Late-night closing shifts
- Weekend shifts
- Holiday and seasonal shifts
Dishwasher Salary in Hotels
A hotel dishwasher can have somewhat different duties from a dishwasher working in a small restaurant. Hotels may have restaurants, banquet halls, room service and large kitchens, so the amount of dishes and kitchen equipment can be much higher. Hotel dishwasher salary is normally paid by the hour, and the rate depends on the hotel, location, shift and worker experience.
Large hotels and resorts may also have more structured kitchen departments. A dishwasher can work with cooks, chefs, servers, banquet staff and other kitchen workers. During weddings, conferences, holidays and other busy events, the workload can increase and extra shifts may sometimes be available.
- Clean dishes and kitchen equipment used by hotel restaurants.
- Handle large volumes of dishes during events and busy meal periods.
- Clean banquet kitchen equipment and supplies.
- Keep dishwashing areas sanitary and organized.
- Support cooks and other kitchen workers when required.
- Work morning, evening, weekend or holiday shifts depending on the hotel.
Dishwasher Salary in Fast Food Restaurants
Fast food restaurants can also hire workers for dishwashing and kitchen cleaning duties. In smaller fast food locations, the dishwasher role can sometimes be combined with other kitchen duties. The worker may clean dishes, utensils and equipment while also helping with food preparation, cleaning floors or taking out trash.
Fast food dishwasher salary depends on the employer and local wage level. Some locations may use a general crew-member position instead of having a separate dishwasher job. Because of that, a person searching for dishwasher jobs should also look at kitchen crew, restaurant crew and food service worker listings.
- Dishwasher
- Kitchen crew member
- Restaurant crew member
- Kitchen helper
- Food service worker
- Back-of-house restaurant worker
Dishwasher Salary in Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
Dishwashers can also work in hospitals, nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, schools and other institutional food-service operations. These workplaces may have their own kitchens and cafeterias that serve meals to many people every day. The work still includes washing dishes and maintaining clean kitchen equipment, but the workplace procedures can be more structured than in some restaurants.
Hospital dishwasher salary can depend on whether the worker is employed directly by the facility or by a food-service contractor. Institutional food service may also offer more regular schedules in some locations, although this varies by employer and facility.
- Wash plates, trays, utensils and kitchen equipment.
- Clean food-service areas according to workplace procedures.
- Handle dishes used for patient and staff meals.
- Maintain sanitation standards in the kitchen.
- Work with cooks and food-service staff.
Dishwasher Salary in Schools and Cafeterias
Schools, colleges and cafeterias can employ dishwashers or kitchen workers who perform dishwashing as one part of the job. School food-service schedules can be different from restaurant schedules because the main meal periods are connected with school hours. Some positions may also have fewer evening shifts than restaurant dishwasher jobs.
A school dishwasher may clean trays, plates, cups, utensils and cooking equipment used to prepare and serve meals. The employee can also help clean the kitchen and dining area. Pay depends on the school district, institution, location and employment arrangement.
Do Dishwashers Get Tips?
Tips are not automatically included in every dishwasher job. In some restaurants, tips are shared among eligible workers through a tip pool or another workplace arrangement. In other restaurants, dishwashers may receive only their regular hourly wage and do not participate in the same tip system as servers.
Because tip-sharing rules can vary, workers should check the job description and ask the employer how tips are handled before assuming tips will increase dishwasher income. State and federal wage rules can also affect how tips and tip pools are treated.
- Some restaurants may include dishwashers in a tip pool.
- Some dishwasher jobs pay only the advertised hourly wage.
- Tip policies can differ between restaurants.
- Tips should not be counted as guaranteed income unless the employer clearly provides them.
Dishwasher Benefits
Benefits depend strongly on whether the dishwasher is working full-time, part-time, directly for an employer or through a food-service company. Some full-time positions may provide benefits such as health insurance, paid time off or retirement plans, while many part-time jobs may have fewer benefits.
Large restaurant groups, hotels, hospitals, universities and institutional food-service employers can have different benefit packages. A person comparing dishwasher jobs should look at total compensation rather than only the hourly wage.
- Hourly wages
- Paid time off in some full-time positions
- Health insurance at some employers
- Retirement plans at some employers
- Employee meal benefits at some restaurants
- Potential overtime pay when applicable
Dishwasher Career Path
A dishwasher job can be a starting point for someone who wants to build experience in the restaurant or food-service industry. There is no requirement that a dishwasher stay in the same position for their entire working life. After gaining experience, some workers move into kitchen helper, prep cook, line cook or other food preparation positions.
The career path is different for every worker. A person who learns food preparation, kitchen safety, sanitation and cooking skills may have opportunities to apply for positions with greater responsibilities. Some workers also use restaurant experience to move between employers and find positions with different schedules or pay rates.
- Dishwasher
- Kitchen helper
- Prep cook
- Food preparation worker
- Line cook
- Cook
- Kitchen supervisor or other food-service roles
How to Increase Dishwasher Pay
A dishwasher who wants higher pay can look at several practical options. Moving to a different employer is one possibility because restaurants and food-service businesses do not all pay the same hourly rate. A worker can also look at hotels, resorts, hospitals, large restaurants and other higher-volume employers where the job may have different responsibilities and schedules.
Learning additional kitchen skills can also help. A dishwasher who can safely prepare basic food, assist a cook, operate kitchen equipment and take on additional responsibilities may qualify for other positions. However, higher pay is not guaranteed simply by gaining experience, so the actual wage should always be checked with the employer.
- Compare hourly rates from different employers.
- Look for full-time positions when stable hours are important.
- Consider hotels, resorts and institutional kitchens.
- Learn basic food preparation and kitchen skills.
- Ask about overtime opportunities and scheduling.
- Check whether the position includes tips or other compensation.
- Apply for prep cook or other kitchen positions after gaining experience.
Dishwasher Job Outlook
Dishwasher jobs are part of the larger food preparation and serving industry. Restaurants, hotels, cafeterias and other food-service businesses continue to need workers to clean dishes and support kitchen operations. The number of available jobs in a local area can change with restaurant openings, closures, tourism, population growth and changes in consumer demand.
The BLS reports employment information for dishwashers separately under the occupation classification for Dishwashers. Because this work is needed across many types of food-service businesses, opportunities can be found in cities, suburbs, tourist areas and smaller communities. Local demand can still be very different, so a national employment number does not mean every city has the same number of openings.
Is Dishwasher a Good Entry-Level Job?
Dishwasher jobs are commonly considered entry-level food-service positions because many employers do not require previous professional experience or a college degree. The work can be physically demanding and the employee may spend most of the shift standing, lifting kitchen items and working in a hot or wet environment. For someone who wants to start working in a restaurant, however, it can provide direct experience inside a professional kitchen.
The job can also introduce workers to restaurant operations. A dishwasher works close to cooks, chefs and other kitchen staff and can learn how a commercial kitchen operates. The experience may later help a worker apply for other food-service jobs, although moving into a higher-paying position depends on skills, openings and employer requirements.
Dishwasher Salary vs Kitchen Helper Salary
Dishwasher and kitchen helper jobs can look similar because both can involve cleaning, stocking and supporting kitchen staff. The main difference is that a kitchen helper may spend more time assisting with food preparation and other kitchen tasks, while a dishwasher's main responsibility is usually washing dishes and keeping the dish area clean.
Job titles are not always used in exactly the same way by every employer. A restaurant may advertise a dishwasher position that includes kitchen-helper duties, while another employer may keep the two jobs separate. For this reason, workers should read the complete job description rather than judging a position only from its title.
- Dishwasher: Main focus is dishes, utensils, pots, pans and dish-area cleaning.
- Kitchen helper: May provide wider support to cooks and food preparation staff.
- Prep worker: Usually has more direct food preparation responsibilities.
- Cook: Has greater responsibility for preparing and cooking food.
Dishwasher Salary: Key Points
The dishwasher salary in the USA is generally an hourly wage and the national median is about $34,810 per year, or $16.73 per hour, based on the latest 2025 BLS wage data. Actual dishwasher pay can be lower or higher depending on the state, city, employer, working hours and experience. Some workers may also receive overtime or participate in a restaurant tip pool, but these should not be treated as guaranteed income.
Dishwasher work can be a straightforward way to enter the food-service industry without a college degree. The job mainly involves washing dishes and kitchen equipment, maintaining sanitation and supporting the kitchen team. Workers who gain additional food-service skills may later apply for prep cook, line cook, cook or other restaurant positions.
- National median dishwasher salary: about $34,810 per year.
- National median dishwasher hourly pay: about $16.73 per hour.
- Dishwasher salary varies significantly by state and local labor market.
- Many entry-level jobs do not require a college degree.
- Restaurant, hotel, hospital and institutional kitchens can employ dishwashers.
- Part-time and full-time schedules are both possible.
- Overtime can increase gross pay when applicable.
- Some restaurants may include dishwashers in tip-sharing arrangements.
- Additional kitchen skills can help workers move into other food-service jobs.
Final Thoughts on Dishwasher Salary in the USA
For someone searching how much does a dishwasher make, the national BLS median gives a useful starting point, but the actual paycheck depends on where the person works and how many hours they receive. A dishwasher earning around the national median would make roughly $16.73 per hour and around $34,810 a year at the median wage level. State differences are important, with wages ranging considerably across the country.
Dishwasher jobs are usually practical, hands-on work and can be physically demanding, but they have relatively simple entry requirements compared with many other occupations. For workers interested in restaurant work, the position can also provide a first step toward other kitchen jobs. Comparing local hourly rates, weekly hours, benefits, overtime rules and the complete job description is important before accepting a dishwasher position.