Dishwasher salary in Lake Charles, LA
Dishwashers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $24,760 a year ($11.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32,150 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $34,810. Pay here is 6% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $26,440. There are 1.9 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $25,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dishwashers in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,950 | $10.07 |
| 25th percentile | $21,430 | $10.30 |
| Median | $24,760 | $11.91 |
| 75th percentile | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Average (mean) | $25,210 | $12.12 |
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 | $2,063.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,031.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $952.31 |
| Weekly | $476.15 |
| Hourly | $11.91 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $27,690 | 1,420 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $27,580 | 640 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $26,830 | 140 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $26,440 | 300 |
| Lafayette, LA | $25,300 | 450 |
| Hammond, LA | $24,380 | 130 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $23,170 | 310 |
| Alexandria, LA | $23,010 | 100 |
| Monroe, LA | $22,160 | 170 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $20,930 | $10.06 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $20,770 | $9.98 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $20,470 | $9.84 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,500 | $10.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $23,380 | $11.24 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $28,550 | $13.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Bartender | $18,280 | $8.79 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $32,460 | $15.61 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $43,520 | $20.93 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $25,590 | $12.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for dishwashers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $24,760 a year, or $11.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of dishwashers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $32,150 a year. The top 25% earn $28,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,950 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $21,430 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 200 dishwashers are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.