Waitstaff / Dishwasher Salary in the United States

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

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Waitstaff / Dishwasher in the United States is $32,005 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $15.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $36,088
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29,711 to $34,142
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $27,622
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View as table View as graph 25% $29,711 10% $27,622 90% $36,088 75% $34,142 $32,005 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Waitstaff / Dishwasher Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $34,142 $2,845 $657 $16
Average $32,005 $2,667 $615 $15
25th Percentile $29,711 $2,476 $571 $14
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Key Factors That Influence Waitstaff / Dishwasher Salaries

A Waitstaff / 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Waitstaff / Dishwasher Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Waitstaff / 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): $31,428
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $31,848
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $32,540
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $32,634
  • Expert (over 8 years): $32,791
Levels Salary
Entry Level Waitstaff / Dishwasher$31,428
Intermediate Level Waitstaff / Dishwasher$31,848
Senior Level Waitstaff / Dishwasher$32,540
Specialist Level Waitstaff / Dishwasher$32,634
Expert Level Waitstaff / Dishwasher$32,791
$31,428 0 yr
$31,848 < 2 yrs
$32,540 2-4 yrs
$32,634 5-8 yrs
$32,791 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Waitstaff / 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 Waitstaff / Dishwashers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $35,436.
  • California: $35,302.
  • Massachusetts: $34,831.

Top Paying Cities for Waitstaff / 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: $40,368
  • San Francisco: $39,926
  • Oakland: $39,085

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 6.26% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Food Service (Mentioned in 5.1% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 2.19% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 6.26%
Food Service 5.1%
Work Ethic 2.19%
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 Waitstaff / Dishwasher's salary.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • WFM: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Food Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment
 $33,606
5%
WFM
 $32,966
3%
Food Safety
 $32,646
2%
Innovation
 $32,646
2%
Dedication
 $32,646
2%
Customer Service
 $32,646
2%
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Waitstaff / Dishwasher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Waitstaff / 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on May 01, 2026
$29,711
Average $32,005/year
$34,142
$2,476
Average $2,667/month
$2,845
$571
Average $615/week
$657
$14
Average $15/hour
$16
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $34,142 $2,845 $657 $16
Average $32,005 $2,667 $615 $15
25th Percentile $29,711 $2,476 $571 $14

Salaries of jobs related to Waitstaff / Dishwasher

Salary Trends for Waitstaff / Dishwasher

Salaries for a Waitstaff / Dishwasher can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $33,181 in 2023 to around $32,456 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Waitstaff / Dishwasher salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Waitstaff / Dishwasher Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$33,181
2024
$33,081
2025
$32,456
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $33,181
2024 $33,081
2025 $32,456
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Waitstaff / Dishwasher

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Waitstaff / Dishwasher

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

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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.)

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