Dishwasher salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Dishwashers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $29,170 a year ($14.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,240 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $34,810. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $29,070. There are 2.8 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dishwashers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,230 | $10.21 |
| 25th percentile | $22,080 | $10.61 |
| Median | $29,170 | $14.02 |
| 75th percentile | $34,930 | $16.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| Average (mean) | $29,370 | $14.12 |
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 | $2,430.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,215.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,121.92 |
| Weekly | $560.96 |
| Hourly | $14.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $34,940 | 5,940 |
| Madison, WI | $32,750 | 1,160 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $30,220 | 410 |
| Kenosha, WI | $29,960 | 210 |
| Appleton, WI | $29,370 | 320 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $29,310 | 260 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $29,250 | 190 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $29,020 | 260 |
| Green Bay, WI | $28,890 | 450 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $28,290 | 210 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $28,230 | 180 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $28,140 | 200 |
| Wausau, WI | $27,860 | 160 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $22,080 | 160 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,010 | $13.47 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $25,470 | $12.25 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,440 | $13.67 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,330 | $14.58 |
| Bartender | $25,970 | $12.49 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,180 | $17.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,130 | $13.52 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for dishwashers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $29,170 a year, or $14.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of dishwashers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $38,240 a year. The top 25% earn $34,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,230 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $22,080 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 2,330 dishwashers are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.