Dishwasher salary in Kentucky
Dishwashers in Kentucky earn a median of $29,060 a year ($13.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,240 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $34,810. Kentucky ranks 43rd of 51 states for dishwashers pay. There are 2.4 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $29,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dishwashers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,330 | $10.26 |
| 25th percentile | $24,430 | $11.75 |
| Median | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| 75th percentile | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| Average (mean) | $29,190 | $14.04 |
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 | $2,421.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,210.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,117.69 |
| Weekly | $558.85 |
| Hourly | $13.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dishwasher salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $31,110 | 960 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,740 | 3,000 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $29,770 | 1,660 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $29,520 | 170 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $28,740 | 250 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,600 | 240 |
| Owensboro, KY | $28,450 | 140 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $27,870 | 110 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $26,250 | 290 |
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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,100 | $13.03 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,330 | $12.66 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,130 | $13.04 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,660 | $14.26 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,500 | $11.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,550 | $15.17 |
| Bartender | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,840 | $15.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for dishwashers in Kentucky is $29,060 a year, or $13.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of dishwashers in Kentucky earn at least $36,240 a year. The top 25% earn $33,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,330 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $24,430 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Kentucky?
About 4,890 dishwashers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.