Food service
Dishwasher
Clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils.
Median pay
$34,810
Growth to 2035
−1%
little or no change
Openings a year
68,900
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Dishwasher
$34,81010% earn under $26,200 · middle half $29,690–$37,440 · top 10% over $42,860
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dishwasher
Dealing with the public
Rarely
Constantly
Unpleasant or angry people
Rarely
Constantly
Time pressure
Rarely
Constantly
Cost of a mistake
Minor
Severe
Freedom to make decisions
Little
A lot
Repeating the same tasks
Rarely
Constantly
Time sitting
Rarely
Constantly
Time standing
Rarely
Constantly
Outdoors in all weather
Rarely
Constantly
Dishwasher: 16% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, or pans, using dishwashers or by hand.
- Maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, or utensils in clean and orderly condition.
- Place clean dishes, utensils, or cooking equipment in storage areas.
- Sweep or scrub floors.
- Stock supplies, such as food or utensils, in serving stations, cupboards, refrigerators, or salad bars.
- Clean or prepare various foods for cooking or serving.
- Sort and remove trash, placing it in designated pickup areas.
- Transfer supplies or equipment between storage and work areas, by hand or using hand trucks.
Also called: Busser · Dish Machine Operator (DMO) · Dish Room Worker · Dish Runner · Dish Technician (Dish Tech) · Dishwasher · Kitchen Helper · Kitchen Steward
Outlook and AI
Dishwashers held 480,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 475,600 by 2035 (−1%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Dishwasher vs. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Dishwasher vs. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Dishwasher vs. Food preparation worker
- Dishwasher vs. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Dishwasher vs. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Dishwasher vs. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Dishwasher vs. Fast food and counter workers
- Dishwasher vs. Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders
- Dishwasher vs. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Dishwasher vs. Cooks, short order