Dishwasher salary in Ames, IA
Dishwashers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $30,110 a year ($14.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,290 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $34,810. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $29,300. There are 2.0 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $30,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dishwashers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,850 | $10.51 |
| 25th percentile | $27,820 | $13.37 |
| Median | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| 75th percentile | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Average (mean) | $30,520 | $14.67 |
Half of dishwashers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,509.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,254.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,158.08 |
| Weekly | $579.04 |
| Hourly | $14.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dishwasher salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $33,810 | 1,210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 430 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $30,450 | 930 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,530 | 290 |
| Dubuque, IA | $29,380 | 150 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,310 | 320 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,230 | 150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $28,890 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for dishwashers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,080 |
| District of Columbia | $38,670 |
| California | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $37,840 |
| Hawaii | $37,740 |
| Massachusetts | $37,190 |
| Illinois | $36,180 |
| Oregon | $36,040 |
| Vermont | $36,010 |
| New Jersey | $35,900 |
See Dishwasher pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,630 | $14.25 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,220 | $14.05 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,710 | $10.92 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Bartender | $21,580 | $10.38 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,900 | $14.37 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $51,360 | $24.69 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,070 | $17.34 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dishwasher make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for dishwashers in the Ames, IA metro area is $30,110 a year, or $14.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of dishwashers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $36,290 a year. The top 25% earn $35,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,850 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $27,820 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Ames, IA?
About 110 dishwashers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.