Dishwasher salary in Columbia, MO
Dishwashers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $30,780 a year ($14.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,040 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $34,810. Pay here is 4% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $32,150. There are 2.8 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dishwashers in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $28,850 | $13.87 |
| Median | $30,780 | $14.80 |
| 75th percentile | $33,950 | $16.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| Average (mean) | $32,190 | $15.48 |
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 | $2,565 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,282.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,183.85 |
| Weekly | $591.92 |
| Hourly | $14.80 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $34,800 | 2,460 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $32,180 | 3,720 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $30,860 | 150 |
| Springfield, MO | $30,680 | 470 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $30,550 | 140 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,590 | 110 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $29,070 | 210 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,860 | $14.35 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,110 | $13.99 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Bartender | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $52,870 | $25.42 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,260 | $16.95 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for dishwashers in the Columbia, MO metro area is $30,780 a year, or $14.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of dishwashers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $37,040 a year. The top 25% earn $33,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $28,850 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Columbia, MO?
About 300 dishwashers are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.