How much does a Wash Attendant make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Wash Attendant in the United States is $32,007 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $15.

However, a Wash Attendant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $36,090
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29,712 to $34,144
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $27,622

Key Factors That Influence Wash Attendant Salaries

A Wash Attendant'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 Wash Attendant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Wash Attendant'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): $31,429
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $31,850
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $32,541
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $32,635
  • Expert (over 8 years): $32,792
Levels Salary
Entry Level Wash Attendant$31,429
Intermediate Level Wash Attendant$31,850
Senior Level Wash Attendant$32,541
Specialist Level Wash Attendant$32,635
Expert Level Wash Attendant$32,792

How Do Wash Attendant 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 Wash Attendants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $35,438.
  • California: $35,303.
  • Massachusetts: $34,833.

Top Paying Cities for Wash Attendants

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: $40,370
  • San Francisco: $39,928
  • Oakland: $39,087

What Skills Can Increase a Wash Attendant'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.
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 Wash Attendant'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 $33,607
5%
WFM $32,967
3%
Food Safety $32,647
2%

Wash Attendant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Wash Attendant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Wash Attendant positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Wash Attendant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Wash Attendant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$38,408$18.020%

Wash Attendant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Wash Attendant'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 October 01, 2026
$29,712
Average $32,007/year
$34,144
$2,476
Average $2,667/month
$2,845
$571
Average $616/week
$657
$14
Average $15/hour
$16
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $34,144 $2,845 $657 $16
Average $32,007 $2,667 $616 $15
25th Percentile $29,712 $2,476 $571 $14

Most common benefits for Wash Attendant

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

Common company salaries for Wash Attendant

Here are companies hiring for Wash Attendant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Wash Attendant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Wash Attendant?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Wash Attendant roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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