Dishwashers earn between $14 and $16 per hour on average in the United States, with annual pay ranging from $26,000 to $33,500 for full-time work. That’s the national picture, but your actual paycheck depends heavily on where you work and who you work for.
A dishwasher in San Jose can earn nearly double what one makes in rural Mississippi. Below, we break down pay by state and city, explain how tip pooling affects earnings, and cover practical ways to increase your take-home as a dishwasher.
Average dishwasher salary in the United States
Dishwashers in the United States typically earn between $14 and $16 per hour, with the national average landing around $15.70 per hour according to Indeed (at the time of writing). That works out to roughly $26,000 to $33,500 annually for full-time work. Hourly rates range from about $12 on the low end to over $20 in higher-paying markets, and tips can add another $20 or so per day at many restaurants.
Hourly dishwasher wages
Most dishwasher positions pay by the hour rather than salary. The federal minimum wage sits at $7.25, but some restaurants pay above that to stay competitive. And many states have higher minimum wage laws.
Where you work matters. A dishwasher in San Jose, California earns significantly more than one in rural Mississippi. Same role, different paychecks.
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Weekly and monthly dishwasher earnings
Your take-home depends on how many hours you’re scheduled each week. Here’s how the math breaks down at the national average of $15.70/hour:
- Part-time (20 hours/week): Roughly $314 per week or $1,360 per month before taxes
- Full-time (40 hours/week): About $628 per week or $2,720 per month before taxes
Local wage rates and tip pooling arrangements shift both numbers up or down.
Annual dishwasher salary
Full-time dishwashers working year-round can expect to earn between $26,000 and $33,500 annually at average rates. However, many dishwasher positions are part-time, which brings annual earnings closer to $13,000 to $18,000.
Hours fluctuate with the seasons. Slow months mean fewer shifts. Busy months mean more, sometimes with overtime pay when you cross the 40-hour threshold.
Highest-paying states for dishwashers
Not all states pay dishwashers equally. Higher wages typically show up in states with higher minimum wage laws or elevated costs of living.
| State + Min wage | Why pay may be higher |
|---|---|
| Washington ($17.13 per hour) | Higher state minimum wage |
| California ($16.90 per hour) | Higher cost of living, strong labor laws |
| Massachusetts ($15.00 per hour) | Above-average minimum wage, dense restaurant market |
| New York ($16/17.00 per hour) | High cost of living in metro areas |
| Alaska ($13.00 per hour) | Remote location premiums, limited labor pool |
Job hunting in one of these states offers a better starting point, though rent and groceries will eat into that higher paycheck.
Highest-paying cities for dishwashers
Metro areas with thriving restaurant scenes tend to pay dishwashers more. Competition for workers drives wages up, especially in cities where the cost of living makes lower wages unsustainable.
Top-paying cities for dishwashers include:
- San Jose, CA (averaging around $39,700 annually according to ZipRecruiter)
- Seattle, WA
- San Francisco, CA
- New York, NY
- Boston, MA
Seattle stands out as a particularly strong market. The city’s higher minimum wage means even entry-level dishwashers start well above the national average.
Do dishwashers get tips?
Yes, in many restaurants, dishwashers receive tips through tip pooling arrangements. This isn’t universal, but it’s increasingly common, especially in full-service restaurants.
Tip pooling for dishwashers
Tip pooling is a system where tips collected by servers and bartenders get distributed among multiple employees, including back-of-house staff like dishwashers. The split varies by restaurant. Some operations give dishwashers a small percentage (1-2% of tips), while others offer more generous shares.
Federal law allows tip pooling to include back-of-house workers as long as the employer doesn’t take a cut and pays at least the full minimum wage. State laws vary, so check your local requirements.
How much dishwashers earn in tips
Tip amounts depend on the restaurant’s sales volume, tip pool structure, and service style. A dishwasher at a high-volume fine dining spot might see $30-50 per shift in tips. At a casual neighborhood restaurant, it might be $10-15.
The key factor is total sales. Busier restaurants generate more tips to distribute.
What factors affect dishwasher pay
The gap between a $12/hour dishwasher job and a $20/hour one comes down to a few key variables.
Location and cost of living
Geography is the biggest factor. A dishwasher in Seattle earns nearly double what one in rural Alabama might make. State and city minimum wage laws create these gaps, and cost of living reinforces them.
Even within the same state, urban restaurants typically pay more than suburban or rural ones.
Type of restaurant
Where you wash dishes matters as much as where you live:
- Fine dining: Higher pay, better tip pool shares, but often more demanding pace and standards
- Casual dining: Mid-range pay, variable tip pooling, steadier hours
- Quick-service restaurants (QSR): Often closer to minimum wage, tip pooling less common, but shifts may be more predictable
Experience level
Dishwashing is often entry-level work, but experience counts. A dishwasher who’s fast, reliable, and keeps the pit organized becomes valuable. That value can translate to higher wages or a path to prep cook and beyond.
Full-time vs part-time hours
Full-time dishwashers earn more annually simply because they work more hours. They’re also more likely to qualify for benefits like health insurance or paid time off, perks that part-time positions rarely offer.
Types of restaurants that hire dishwashers
Dishwasher jobs exist across the restaurant industry, but the work environment varies significantly.
Full-service restaurants
Full-service restaurants (FSR) generate high dish volume. A busy dinner service might mean hundreds of plates, glasses, and pans cycling through the pit. FSR operations often employ multiple dishwashers per shift and frequently include them in tip pools.
Quick-service restaurants
Quick-service restaurants (QSR), think fast food and fast-casual, often combine dishwashing with other duties like bussing or light prep. The dish load is smaller (more disposables), but the pace stays fast.
Hotels and catering companies
Hotels, banquet halls, and catering companies hire dishwashers for events and ongoing operations. Positions at larger properties sometimes offer more consistent hours and benefits.
Dishwasher pay compared to other back-of-house jobs
Dishwashing sits at the entry point of the kitchen hierarchy. Here’s how pay compares to other positions:
| Position | Typical hourly range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | $12-20 | Entry-level, minimal experience required |
| Prep cook | $14-22 | Requires knife skills, food knowledge |
| Line cook | $16-25 | Station responsibility, speed under pressure |
| Kitchen manager | $45,000-65,000/year | Often salaried, full operational responsibility |
Many successful cooks started in the dish pit. It’s a legitimate entry point into a kitchen career.
How to earn more as a dishwasher
If you’re working as a dishwasher and want to increase your earnings, here are practical paths forward.
1. Work full-time hours
More hours means more pay. If you’re part-time and want more shifts, let your manager know. Show up reliably, work hard, and you’ll likely get first consideration when hours open up.
2. Seek overtime opportunities
Overtime pay, typically time-and-a-half, can significantly boost your paycheck. When someone calls out or the restaurant gets slammed, volunteering to stay adds up fast.
Overtime rules vary by state. Some require overtime after eight hours in a day; others only after 40 hours in a week. Check your state’s labor department for specifics.
3. Move to a higher-paying area
This isn’t always practical, but if you’re flexible on location, relocating to a city with higher wages can make a real difference. Seattle, San Francisco, and New York all pay dishwashers well above the national average.
4. Work at fine dining restaurants
Fine dining establishments typically pay more and offer larger tip pool shares. The work is often more demanding, faster pace, higher standards, but the compensation reflects that.
5. Advance to prep cook or line cook
The dish pit is a stepping stone. Express interest in learning prep work. Ask to help with basic tasks during slow periods. Many kitchens promote from within, and your reliability as a dishwasher builds trust with the chef.
Better scheduling means better pay for your team
For restaurant operators reading this to understand what to pay dishwashers: competitive wages matter, but consistent scheduling matters just as much. Your dishwashers want to know when they’re working and how many hours they’ll get.
Unpredictable schedules make it hard for hourly workers to plan their lives or their budgets. When you post schedules in advance and give your team reliable hours, you’re not just being fair. You’re reducing turnover and building a team that actually wants to show up.
Tools like 7shifts make it easier to build fair schedules, track hours accurately, and ensure your team gets the shifts they’re counting on. Start a free trial to see how it works.
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FAQs about dishwasher pay
What is the highest-paying dishwasher job?
Dishwasher positions at fine dining restaurants, upscale hotels, and establishments in high cost-of-living cities typically pay the most. Tip pool participation at high-volume restaurants further increases total earnings.
Is being a dishwasher a hard job?
Dishwashing is physically demanding work that requires standing for long periods, working in hot and humid conditions, and maintaining speed during busy rushes. The job requires stamina but doesn’t typically require prior experience or special training.
Can dishwashers make a living wage?
Whether dishwashing provides a living wage depends on location, hours worked, and whether tips are included. Full-time dishwashers in higher-paying cities with tip pool participation are more likely to earn a sustainable income.
Do dishwashers get paid weekly or biweekly?
Pay frequency varies by employer. Some restaurants pay weekly while others pay biweekly or semi-monthly. Ask about the pay schedule during the hiring process.
How many hours do dishwashers usually work?
Dishwasher hours vary widely. Part-time positions may offer fewer than 20 hours per week, while full-time roles typically provide 30 to 40 hours. Hours often fluctuate based on restaurant busy seasons and staffing needs.
Rebecca Hebert, Sales Development Representative
Rebecca Hebert
Sales Development Representative
Rebecca Hebert is a former restaurant industry professional with nearly 20 years of hands-on experience leading teams in fast-paced hospitality environments. Rebecca brings that firsthand knowledge to the tech side of the industry, helping restaurants streamline their operations with purpose-built workforce management solutions. As an active contributor to expansion efforts, she’s passionate about empowering restaurateurs with tools that genuinely support their day-to-day operations.
