Dishwasher salary in Tennessee
Dishwashers in Tennessee earn a median of $30,530 a year ($14.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,580 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $34,810. Tennessee ranks 27th 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 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $31,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dishwashers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| 25th percentile | $28,020 | $13.47 |
| Median | $30,530 | $14.68 |
| 75th percentile | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Average (mean) | $31,700 | $15.24 |
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 | $2,544.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,272.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,174.23 |
| Weekly | $587.12 |
| Hourly | $14.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dishwasher salary in cities in Tennessee
| 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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $29,530 | 1,110 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,470 | $14.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,490 | $13.22 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,640 | $17.61 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | $13.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Bartender | $27,480 | $13.21 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,670 | $14.75 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,810 | $33.56 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,210 | $14.52 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for dishwashers in Tennessee is $30,530 a year, or $14.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of dishwashers in Tennessee earn at least $38,580 a year. The top 25% earn $36,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,900 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $28,020 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Tennessee?
About 7,810 dishwashers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.