Dishwashers

35-9021.00 Zone 1 — Little or No Preparation Needed

Clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils.

Also known as: Breakdown Person, Bus Person, Busser, Dish Machine Operator (DMO), Dish Person, Dish Room Worker, Dish Runner, Dish Stacker, ...

Annual Salary

$33,670

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$28,740 25th – 75th percentile $36,750
10th percentile $23,960
90th percentile $41,600
U.S. Employment: 471,670

Job Outlook

+0.2%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Slower than average)

Annual Job Openings 76,800 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: No formal educational credential
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, or pans, using dishwashers or by hand.
  • Place clean dishes, utensils, or cooking equipment in storage areas.
  • Maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, or utensils in clean and orderly condition.
  • Stock supplies, such as food or utensils, in serving stations, cupboards, refrigerators, or salad bars.
  • Sweep or scrub floors.
  • Clean garbage cans with water or steam.
  • Sort and remove trash, placing it in designated pickup areas.
  • Clean or prepare various foods for cooking or serving.
  • Transfer supplies or equipment between storage and work areas, by hand or using hand trucks.
  • Receive and store supplies.

Top Skills

Operation and Control 2.9
Coordination 2.8
Active Listening 2.6
Time Management 2.6
Speaking 2.5
Critical Thinking 2.5
Operations Monitoring 2.5
Monitoring 2.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

English Language 3.2
Food Production 2.8
Education and Training 2.5
Customer and Personal Service 2.4
Public Safety and Security 2.3
Administration and Management 2.0
Communications and Media 1.9
Transportation 1.7

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

High School
55.9%
< High School
43.4%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Facebook Microsoft Windows

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.1
Dependability
1.3
Attention to Detail
1.0
Cooperation
0.8
Stress Tolerance
0.8
Perseverance
0.6
Self-Control
0.5
Optimism

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Manual Dexterity 3.6
Extent Flexibility 3.0
Near Vision 3.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.0
Trunk Strength 3.0
Oral Comprehension 2.9
Multilimb Coordination 2.9
Information Ordering 2.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Handling and Moving Objects 3.4
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People 3.3
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials 3.1
Training and Teaching Others 3.1
Performing General Physical Activities 3.0
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 3.0
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 3.0
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings 2.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.6
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.4
Spend Time Standing
4.2
Health and Safety of Other Workers
4.1
Contact With Others
3.9
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
3.8
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
3.6
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection
3.5
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
3.4
Physical Proximity
3.4
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
3.4
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
3.4

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.