Dishwasher salary in Reading, PA
Dishwashers in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $27,650 a year ($13.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,990 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $34,810. Pay here is 8% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $29,950. There are 3.2 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,470, close to the median.
Pay range for dishwashers in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,430 | $10.30 |
| 25th percentile | $22,310 | $10.73 |
| Median | $27,650 | $13.30 |
| 75th percentile | $30,280 | $14.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Average (mean) | $27,470 | $13.21 |
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 | $2,304.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,152.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,063.46 |
| Weekly | $531.73 |
| Hourly | $13.30 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $33,270 | 8,900 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $30,690 | 1,170 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $30,000 | 4,280 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $29,700 | 960 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $29,590 | 520 |
| Lancaster, PA | $29,140 | 850 |
| State College, PA | $28,950 | 250 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $28,120 | 130 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $28,100 | 790 |
| Lebanon, PA | $27,590 | 190 |
| Altoona, PA | $26,960 | 190 |
| Erie, PA | $26,300 | 440 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $25,710 | 150 |
| Williamsport, PA | $23,850 | 190 |
| Johnstown, PA | $21,430 | 150 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,330 | $13.14 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,760 | $14.79 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Bartender | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,580 | $15.18 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,810 | $14.81 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,980 | $32.20 |
| Cooks, All Other | $35,020 | $16.84 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for dishwashers in the Reading, PA metro area is $27,650 a year, or $13.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of dishwashers in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $35,990 a year. The top 25% earn $30,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,430 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $22,310 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Reading, PA?
About 550 dishwashers are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.