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Steward/Dishwasher Salary in the United States

How much does a Steward/Dishwasher make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Steward/Dishwasher in the United States is $34,250 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

However, a Steward/Dishwasher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $39,083
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31,670 to $36,780
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29,321
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Steward/Dishwasher Salaries

A Steward/Dishwasher's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Steward/Dishwasher Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Steward/Dishwasher's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $33,788
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $34,250
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $35,081
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $35,194
  • Expert (over 8 years): $35,383
Levels Salary
Entry Level Steward/Dishwasher$33,788
Intermediate Level Steward/Dishwasher$34,250
Senior Level Steward/Dishwasher$35,081
Specialist Level Steward/Dishwasher$35,194
Expert Level Steward/Dishwasher$35,383
View as Graph

How Do Steward/Dishwasher Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Steward/Dishwashers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $37,920.
  • California: $37,780.
  • Massachusetts: $37,280.

Top Paying Cities for Steward/Dishwashers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $43,200
  • San Francisco: $42,730
  • Oakland: $41,830

What Skills Can Increase a Steward/Dishwasher's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Communication Skills (Mentioned in 7.5% Job Postings): Communication skills are your ability to share or understand information, ideas, and feelings successfully.
  • Food Service (Mentioned in 3.25% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home.
  • Hospitality Industry (Mentioned in 2.01% Job Postings): The hospitality industry is a broad category of fields within the service industry that includes lodging, food and drink service, event planning, theme parks, travel and tourism.
Skills Demand Percentage
Communication Skills 7.5%
Food Service 3.25%
Hospitality Industry 2.01%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Steward/Dishwasher's salary.

  • Retail Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 28%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Retail Operations $43,840
28%
Collaboration $37,675
10%
Innovation $36,648
7%
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Steward/Dishwasher Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Steward/Dishwasher salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $36,848. While startup companies pay approximate $31,236.

Steward/Dishwasher Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $31,236
Growth Stage 51~500 $33,018
Established 501~5000 $35,599
Enterprise 5000+ $36,848

Steward/Dishwasher Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Steward/Dishwasher roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Hospitality & Leisure sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Steward/Dishwasher positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Steward/Dishwasher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Steward/Dishwasher

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$44,525$21.030%
Hospitality & Leisure$35,962$17.05%

How Education impacts a Steward/Dishwasher's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Steward/Dishwashers enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Steward/Dishwasher with a No Diploma is between $31,756 and $34,125).

Steward/Dishwasher Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Steward/Dishwasher
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 75.0%
High School 75.0%
Associates 12.5%
Bachelors 12.5%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Steward/Dishwasher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Steward/Dishwasher's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$31,670
Average $34,250/year
$36,780
$2,639
Average $2,854/month
$3,065
$609
Average $659/week
$707
$15
Average $16/hour
$18
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $36,780 $3,065 $707 $18
Average $34,250 $2,854 $659 $16
25th Percentile $31,670 $2,639 $609 $15

Steward/Dishwasher Salary Growth & Career Path

Steward/Dishwasher

Next Role

For a Steward/Dishwasher, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Food Inventory and Stores Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $48,000 - a projected growth of 40% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Steward/Dishwasher

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Steward/Dishwasher

Here are companies hiring for Steward/Dishwasher and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Steward/Dishwasher

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Steward/Dishwasher?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Steward/Dishwasher roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. How to become a steward?

To become a steward, no formal training is necessary, but pursuing a college course in hospitality can enhance your job prospects. A bachelor's degree in hotel or hospitality management can help you advance to higher positions. As a steward or dishwasher, you can expect a salary ranging from $30,780 to $37,100, with a median salary of $34,880.

3. How much does a steward get paid?

The salary for a steward/dishwasher ranges from a minimum of £30,780 to a maximum of £37,100 per year, with a mid-level salary of £34,880. Entry-level positions typically start at £30,780, while experienced workers can earn up to £37,100 annually.

4. How much do kitchen stewards make in the US?

Kitchen stewards in the US typically earn between $30,780 and $37,100 annually, with a median salary of around $34,880. This translates to an hourly wage ranging from approximately $14.77 to $17.83, depending on experience and location.

5. How much should a dishwasher make?

A dishwasher should expect to earn a salary ranging from $30,780 to $37,100. The midpoint salary is approximately $34,880. Salaries below this range may be considered outliers, while those above reflect higher experience or location factors.

6. What is the highest paying Dishwasher job?

The highest paying Dishwasher jobs offer a salary of up to $37,100 per year. Dishwashers must adhere to food safety and sanitation guidelines to prevent illness from undercooked meats and cross-contamination. They are also responsible for stacking and organizing dishes and equipment for easy access.

7. What is the highest salary of a steward?

The highest salary for a steward is $37,100 annually. This figure reflects the upper range of salary data, with a minimum of $30,780 and a mid-range salary of $34,880. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and other factors.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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