Career comparison
Dishwasher vs. Line Cook
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Line cooks earn more at the median ($37,390 vs. $34,810), while dishwashers usually get to work faster (A few days on the job of training). Dishwashers keep the kitchen running by washing dishes, pots and equipment. Line cooks cook dishes to order on a busy restaurant line.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Dishwasher | Line Cook | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $34,810 ($16.73/hr) | $37,390 ($17.98/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $26,200 – $42,860 | $28,700 – $47,900 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.0% (a projected decline) | +12.1% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 68,900 | 218,600 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | A few days on the job | 1–6 months on the job |
| Key credential | Food handler card | Food handler card |
| Work setting | Dishwashers work in hot, wet kitchens.. | Line cooks work in hot, crowded kitchens with open flames, hot oil and sharp knives. |
What each job does
Dishwasher
- Run dish machines
- Scrub pots and pans
- Restock clean dishes
- Take out trash
- Clean floors
Line Cook
- Prep ingredients for the station before service
- Cook dishes to order following recipes
- Plate food to presentation standards
- Communicate with the expediter and other cooks
- Monitor food temperatures and quality
How they’re similar
Both careers involve physical work, hands-on work, teamwork, and shift work. Both are part of the hospitality, food & tourism field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose dishwasher if…
- I want to start now
- I don’t mind getting wet
- I work fast
Choose line cook if…
- I like cooking
- I work fast under pressure
- I like teamwork
Still torn? Take the Dishwasher fit quiz and the Line Cook fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, dishwasher or line cook?
Line Cooks earn more at the median: $37,390 versus $34,810 for dishwashers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Dishwashers typically train faster (A few days on the job) than line cooks (1–6 months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects line cooks to grow +12.1% from 2025–35, compared with -1.0% for dishwashers.