Prep Cook
Prepare the ingredients that make every kitchen service possible.
- $35,320
- 1–4 weeks
Hospitality, Food & Tourism career
Dishwasher
Also called: Dish Machine Operator · Steward · Kitchen Porter · Utility Worker
What dishwashers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a dishwasher do?
Dishwashers clean dishes, kitchen equipment and food preparation areas. The median pay is $34,810 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days on the job, and employment is projected to grow -1.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$34,810$16.73/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-1.0%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year68,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few days on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs480,400Employment, 2025
What dishwashers do
Dishwashers are essential to every kitchen. They run dish machines, scrub pots and pans, keep clean dishes stocked for cooks and servers, take out trash and help with basic prep and cleaning.
No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects little change with many openings.
Typical duties
- Run dish machines
- Scrub pots and pans
- Restock clean dishes
- Take out trash
- Clean floors
- Help with prep
- Follow sanitation rules
Work environment and schedule
Dishwashers work in hot, wet kitchens.
Schedule: Evenings, weekends and holidays.
A day in the life
- Set up the dish pit.
- Wash prep dishes.
- Dinner rush.
- Scrub pots.
See a full day in the life of a dishwasher →
Dishwasher salary
Half of dishwashers earned more than $34,810 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $26,200 for the lowest 10% to $42,860 for the top 10%.
Full dishwasher pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a dishwasher
- Apply
- Learn the dish pit
- Show reliability
- Learn prep
- Advance
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a dishwasher →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Dish machine operation
- Pot scrubbing
- Sanitation
- Restocking
- Trash handling
People skills
- Speed
- Reliability
- Teamwork
- Stamina
All dishwasher skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No experience needed
- Path into cooking
- Steady work
- Team atmosphere
Cons
- Wet and hot
- Low pay
- Physical work
- Late nights
Certifications and licenses
- Food handler card: Often required.
- Chemical safety training: Employer.
- ServSafe: Helpful.
- Kitchen training: Helpful.
Career path
- Dishwasher: Entry.
- Prep Cook: Prep.
- Line Cook: Cook.
- Chef: Lead kitchen.
Learn the job before day one
Our Dishwasher training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as use a three-compartment sink and keep up during a dinner rush, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Busser
Clear and reset tables so restaurants run smoothly.
- $33,980
- A few days on the job
Line Cook
Cook dishes to order on a busy restaurant line.
- $37,390
- 1–6 months on the job
Janitor
Clean and maintain schools, offices, hospitals and buildings.
- $36,840
- A few days on the job
Compare: Dishwasher vs. Prep Cook · Dishwasher vs. Busser · Dishwasher vs. Line Cook · Dishwasher vs. Janitor
Dishwasher FAQ
Do I need experience?
No.
Is it a path to cooking?
Yes, many chefs started here.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects little change with many openings.
How much does a dishwasher make?
The median annual wage for dishwashers was $34,810 ($16.73 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $26,200 and the highest 10% earned more than $42,860.
How long does it take to become a dishwasher?
Most people need about A few days on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a dishwasher?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 35-9021 (Dishwashers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Dishwashers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.