How much does a dishwasher make?
Answer: A typical dishwasher in the United States makes $34,810 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 477,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Dishwasher pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $26,200 | $34,810 | $42,860 | about 477,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $40,080 | about 13,000 |
| District of Columbia | $38,670 | about 4,000 |
| California | $37,870 | about 74,000 |
| Colorado | $37,840 | about 9,000 |
| Hawaii | $37,740 | about 5,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the US, experience, the kind of workplace (such as a restaurant or hotel), and location can affect a dishwasher’s pay. Jobs can also differ in hours and shifts, which changes how much someone earns overall.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a dishwasher do?
Clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils.
What's a typical day like?
A dishwasher scrapes plates, loads a commercial washer (and hand-washes some pots), then unloads and stores clean dishes. Between meal rushes, they sweep or mop, clean equipment, restock, and take out trash.
How to get this job
In the US, dishwashers usually need no specific schooling or past experience; they learn cleaning and machine routines on the job. Some teens can work in restaurants from age 14, but strict rules limit younger workers’ hours and duties.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Dishwashers may also unload food deliveries, stock supplies, set up the dining room, or help prepare food—not just wash dishes.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Food Preparation and Serving jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/35-9021.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/35-9021.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/May/oes359021.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/2a-child-labor-restaurants
- seasonaljobs.dol.gov/jobs/H-400-24323-480025
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY