Dishwasher salary in Knoxville, TN
Dishwashers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $29,530 a year ($14.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,960 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $34,810. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $30,530. There are 2.6 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dishwashers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,070 | $11.09 |
| 25th percentile | $27,360 | $13.15 |
| Median | $29,530 | $14.20 |
| 75th percentile | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Average (mean) | $30,990 | $14.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,380 | 3,050 |
| Morristown, TN | $29,820 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $29,700 | 1,230 |
| Jackson, TN | $29,630 | 140 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $29,430 | 730 |
| Johnson City, TN | $28,890 | 210 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,600 | 240 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $28,500 | 270 |
| Cleveland, TN | $28,450 | 100 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,970 | $17.29 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,100 | $13.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $41,380 | $19.89 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,960 | $14.89 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Bartender | $28,860 | $13.87 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,770 | $30.18 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,210 | $14.52 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for dishwashers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $29,530 a year, or $14.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of dishwashers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $37,960 a year. The top 25% earn $35,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,070 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $27,360 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 1,110 dishwashers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.