Career comparison
Dishwasher vs. Prep Cook
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Prep cooks earn more at the median ($35,320 vs. $34,810), while prep cooks usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Dishwashers keep the kitchen running by washing dishes, pots and equipment. Prep cooks prepare the ingredients that make every kitchen service possible.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Dishwasher | Prep Cook | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $34,810 ($16.73/hr) | $35,320 ($16.98/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $26,200 – $42,860 | $25,810 – $45,340 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.0% (a projected decline) | -3.0% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 68,900 | 135,700 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | A few days on the job | 1–4 weeks |
| Key credential | Food handler card | Food handler card |
| Work setting | Dishwashers work in hot, wet kitchens.. | Prep cooks work in kitchens that can be busy, wet and noisy, using knives and slicers. |
What each job does
Dishwasher
- Run dish machines
- Scrub pots and pans
- Restock clean dishes
- Take out trash
- Clean floors
Prep Cook
- Wash, peel and cut produce
- Portion meats and proteins
- Prepare sauces, dressings and simple recipes
- Measure ingredients accurately
- Label, date and store food
How they’re similar
Both careers involve physical work, hands-on work, teamwork, and in-demand. 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 prep cook if…
- I like working with food
- I want to start without experience
- I like early shifts
Still torn? Take the Dishwasher fit quiz and the Prep Cook fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, dishwasher or prep cook?
Prep Cooks earn more at the median: $35,320 versus $34,810 for dishwashers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Prep Cooks typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than dishwashers (A few days on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects dishwashers to grow -1.0% from 2025–35, compared with -3.0% for prep cooks.