Dishwasher salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Dishwashers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $30,450 a year ($14.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 930 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,700 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $34,810. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $29,300. There are 2.3 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $30,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dishwashers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,510 | $10.34 |
| 25th percentile | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| Median | $30,450 | $14.64 |
| 75th percentile | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,700 | $17.65 |
| Average (mean) | $30,510 | $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 | $2,537.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,268.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,171.15 |
| Weekly | $585.58 |
| Hourly | $14.64 |
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 |
| Ames, IA | $30,110 | 110 |
| 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,270 | $13.59 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $34,290 | $16.49 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $20,410 | $9.81 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,650 | $20.50 |
| Bartender | $22,340 | $10.74 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,760 | $17.67 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for dishwashers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $30,450 a year, or $14.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of dishwashers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $36,700 a year. The top 25% earn $35,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,510 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $27,810 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 930 dishwashers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.