Dishwasher salary in Iowa City, IA
Dishwashers in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $29,530 a year ($14.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,840 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $34,810. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $29,300. There are 3.1 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dishwashers in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,850 | $10.02 |
| 25th percentile | $27,500 | $13.22 |
| Median | $29,530 | $14.20 |
| 75th percentile | $34,620 | $16.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| Average (mean) | $29,550 | $14.21 |
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 | $2,460.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,230.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,135.77 |
| Weekly | $567.88 |
| Hourly | $14.20 |
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 |
| Ames, IA | $30,110 | 110 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,860 | $13.87 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,030 | $10.59 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,910 | $17.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,970 | $18.73 |
| Bartender | $21,900 | $10.53 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,200 | $14.04 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,120 | $16.89 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,760 | $23.44 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,990 | $17.30 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for dishwashers in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $29,530 a year, or $14.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of dishwashers in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $35,840 a year. The top 25% earn $34,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,850 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $27,500 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Iowa City, IA?
About 290 dishwashers are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.