Dishwasher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Dishwashers Make?
Dishwashers earn a median annual salary of $33,670 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $23,960 at the 10th percentile to $41,600 at the 90th percentile — a range of $17,640. The highest-paying state is Washington at $37,600.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23,960 |
| 25th percentile | $28,740 |
| Median (50th) | $33,670 |
| 75th percentile | $36,750 |
| 90th percentile | $41,600 |
Dishwasher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $37,600 |
| District of Columbia | $37,540 |
| California | $37,440 |
| Massachusetts | $37,350 |
| Colorado | $37,140 |
| Vermont | $36,430 |
| Hawaii | $35,990 |
| New York | $35,410 |
| Oregon | $35,400 |
| Illinois | $35,200 |
| Connecticut | $34,970 |
| Arizona | $34,850 |
| Maine | $34,780 |
| New Jersey | $34,640 |
| Rhode Island | $34,260 |
| Alaska | $34,080 |
| Nevada | $33,950 |
| New Hampshire | $33,390 |
| Minnesota | $32,350 |
| Virginia | $31,950 |
| Maryland | $31,520 |
| Delaware | $31,260 |
| Missouri | $31,000 |
| Utah | $30,130 |
| North Dakota | $29,660 |
| Florida | $29,600 |
| Tennessee | $29,570 |
| New Mexico | $29,490 |
| Texas | $29,250 |
| Georgia | $29,230 |
| South Carolina | $29,200 |
| North Carolina | $29,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,100 |
| Ohio | $29,000 |
| Michigan | $28,990 |
| Nebraska | $28,660 |
| Wyoming | $28,610 |
| Indiana | $28,320 |
| Montana | $28,270 |
| Idaho | $28,190 |
| Kentucky | $28,140 |
| Wisconsin | $27,650 |
| South Dakota | $27,590 |
| Alabama | $27,230 |
| Arkansas | $27,090 |
| Iowa | $26,910 |
| Kansas | $26,740 |
| Oklahoma | $26,570 |
| West Virginia | $25,200 |
| Mississippi | $23,350 |
| Louisiana | $23,250 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Dishwashers
Dishwasher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$23,960 – $28,740 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$33,670 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$36,750 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $41,600+ |
How to Earn More as a Dishwasher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Dishwashers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $42,950 — $9,280 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($36,750) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Dishwasher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Dishwasherthis career | $33,670 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,160 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,620 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,220 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $30,480 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 35-9021.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.