Dishwasher salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Dishwashers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $28,890 a year ($13.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,110 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $34,810. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $29,300. There are 2.3 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $28,390, close to the median.
Pay range for dishwashers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,340 | $9.78 |
| 25th percentile | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| Median | $28,890 | $13.89 |
| 75th percentile | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| Average (mean) | $28,390 | $13.65 |
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 | $2,407.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,203.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,111.15 |
| Weekly | $555.58 |
| Hourly | $13.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $33,810 | 1,210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 430 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $30,450 | 930 |
| Ames, IA | $30,110 | 110 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,530 | 290 |
| Dubuque, IA | $29,380 | 150 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,310 | 320 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,230 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,820 | $13.38 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,490 | $10.33 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Bartender | $21,540 | $10.36 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,680 | $17.16 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $28,140 | $13.53 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,050 | $15.41 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $33,520 | $16.12 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for dishwashers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $28,890 a year, or $13.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of dishwashers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $35,110 a year. The top 25% earn $31,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,340 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $24,960 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 190 dishwashers are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.