Dishwasher Salary Guide 2026: How Much Do Dishwashers Make?

Dishwasher salary at a glance

US dishwasher hourly rate: $14–$20/hr depending on city and kitchen type. BLS median: $14.52/hr nationally (2025). DishwasherHero+ places dishwashers as W-2 employees at $17–$20/hr across 30+ cities with weekly pay.

Dishwasher Hourly Rate by Kitchen Type

• Fast food / QSR: $14–$16/hr — minimum wage floor, basic environment
• Casual dining: $14–$17/hr
• Independent restaurants: $15–$18/hr
• Hotel kitchens: $16–$20/hr — structured pay scales, often benefits
• Fine dining: $17–$21/hr — high standards, more demanding
• Casino kitchens (Las Vegas): $17–$22/hr — 24/7 shifts, union rates common
• Catering and events: $16–$20/hr — variable by event size
• On-demand (DishwasherHero+): $17–$20/hr — W-2 employment, weekly pay

Dishwasher Pay by City (2026)

• New York City: $17–$22/hr — state minimum wage $17/hr
• San Francisco: $18–$23/hr — California AB5 W-2 required
• Seattle: $19–$23/hr — Washington State minimum $16.66/hr
• Los Angeles: $17–$21/hr
• Chicago: $16–$20/hr
• Las Vegas: $16–$21/hr — casino premiums available
• Miami: $15–$18/hr
• Houston / Dallas: $14–$17/hr — Texas has no state income tax
• Atlanta: $14–$17/hr
• Toronto (CAD): CAD $16–$20/hr — Ontario minimum wage $17.20/hr (2025)
• Vancouver (CAD): CAD $17–$21/hr — BC minimum $17.40/hr
• Montreal (CAD): CAD $16–$20/hr — Quebec minimum $16.10/hr

Dishwasher Career Progression

Dishwashing is a recognized entry point into professional kitchen work. Common progression:

• Dishwasher: $14–$20/hr — entry level, no experience required
• Prep cook: $15–$22/hr — 6–12 months of kitchen experience typical
• Line cook: $18–$28/hr — 1–2 years of prep experience
• Kitchen porter / KP lead: $16–$20/hr — senior dishwashing role with more responsibility

Many professional chefs and sous chefs started as dishwashers — the role teaches commercial kitchen pace, equipment handling, and the discipline required for BOH work.

How Dishwashers Can Earn More

• Work hotel and casino kitchens — typically pay $2–$5/hr above independent restaurants
• Pick up on-demand shifts — DishwasherHero+ pays $17–$20/hr as W-2 with weekly pay
• Move to a higher-paying city market — NYC, SF, and Seattle pay significantly above the national median
• Progress to prep cook — the fastest path to a meaningful pay increase
• Work overnight and weekend shifts — some employers pay shift differentials

Find dishwasher shifts: New York, Chicago, Las Vegas.