Dishwasher Job Description — Free Template (2026)

A dishwasher job description outlines the duties, responsibilities, and skills required for a commercial dishwasher role. Whether you're hiring for a restaurant, hotel, or catering company, this template covers everything you need.

Below you'll find a full duties and responsibilities checklist, the physical requirements and skills to screen for, common occupational health risks to plan around, and a copy-paste job posting template you can drop straight into your hiring channel.

Dishwasher Duties and Responsibilities

The core dishwasher duties and responsibilities in a commercial kitchen include:

• Wash and sanitise all dishes, glassware, cutlery, and cookware
• Operate commercial dishwashing machines according to manufacturer guidelines
• Clean and maintain the dish pit area throughout the shift
• Remove rubbish and recyclables; break down boxes
• Assist with unloading deliveries and stocking supplies
• Sweep and mop kitchen floors as scheduled
• Assist kitchen staff with basic prep tasks when required
• Monitor and maintain correct chemical levels in dishwashing machines
• Label and store clean items correctly in assigned stations
• Report broken equipment or maintenance issues to the manager
• Follow all food safety and sanitation standards (HACCP / local code)
• Maintain personal hygiene and wear correct PPE (slip-resistant shoes, apron, gloves)

Dishwasher Job Requirements and Skills

Physical requirements: dishwashers must be able to stand for a full shift (8–10 hours), lift up to 25 kg (about 55 lbs) repeatedly, and work comfortably in hot, humid, and wet conditions. The dish pit is one of the most physically demanding stations in any kitchen — candidates should be screened honestly for stamina and reliability.

Skills: attention to detail (so nothing goes back to the line dirty), the ability to work quickly under pressure during the rush, clear team communication with cooks and the expeditor, and a basic understanding of food safety and sanitiser concentration. Prior commercial kitchen experience is preferred but not required for entry-level roles.

Dishwasher Job Health Risks

The main occupational health risks in the dish pit are repetitive strain (wrists, shoulders, lower back), chemical exposure from cleaning products and sanitisers, slip hazards from wet floors, and heat and steam exposure from the machine. Employers mitigate these with anti-fatigue mats, slip-resistant shoes, well-ventilated dish areas, PPE (gloves and aprons), proper chemical dispensing systems, and structured rest breaks. All DishwasherHero+ workers are W-2 employees with workplace injury coverage.

Copy-Paste Dishwasher Job Description Template

Drop this template into your job board, careers page, or applicant tracking system. Replace the bracketed fields with your specifics.

The Hiring Reality in 2026

Dishwasher turnover is the highest of any BOH role — over 70% annually in many markets. A clean job description helps, but it doesn't solve the structural shortage. Most operators now combine traditional hiring for permanent roles with on-demand staffing as backup for no-shows, callouts, and busy weeks.