Dishwasher salary in Washington
Dishwashers in Washington earn a median of $40,080 a year ($19.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,360 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $34,810. Washington ranks 1st of 51 states for dishwashers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 3.6 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dishwashers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| 25th percentile | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Median | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| 75th percentile | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Average (mean) | $41,510 | $19.96 |
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 | $3,340 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,670 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,541.54 |
| Weekly | $770.77 |
| Hourly | $19.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dishwasher salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $42,750 | 7,910 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $38,910 | 340 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $37,710 | 190 |
| Bellingham, WA | $37,430 | 310 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $37,400 | 360 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $37,250 | 3,580 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $37,070 | 340 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $36,880 | 80 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $36,390 | 200 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $36,330 | 800 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $36,110 | 70 |
| Yakima, WA | $35,950 | 270 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $34,020 | 80 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $56,130 | $26.98 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| Bartender | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,760 | $20.56 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for dishwashers in Washington is $40,080 a year, or $19.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Washington?
The top 10% of dishwashers in Washington earn at least $49,360 a year. The top 25% earn $45,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,570 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $36,330 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Washington?
About 12,630 dishwashers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.