California Median
$37,870
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.21
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $34,810
State Rank
#3 of 51
74,160 employed here
How much does a Dishwasher make in California?
A Dishwasher working in California earns a median salary of $37,870 per year, or about $18.21 per hour. That is 9% above the national median of $34,810 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,160 while the top 10% make $45,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,260 and $42,480 a year.
Dishwasher salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,160 | $16.90 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,260 | $17.43 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,870 | $18.21 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $42,480 | $20.42 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Dishwasher pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Dishwasher salary in other states
Washington $40,080District of Columbia $38,670Colorado $37,840Hawaii $37,740Massachusetts $37,190Illinois $36,180Oregon $36,040Vermont $36,010New Jersey $35,900Delaware $35,780Maine $35,620Connecticut $35,550New York $35,450Arizona $35,130New Hampshire $34,960Nevada $34,920Minnesota $34,060Maryland $34,030Rhode Island $33,960Alaska $33,890Virginia $33,130Missouri $32,150Utah $31,830Michigan $31,300Florida $31,240Tennessee $30,530New Mexico $30,520North Carolina $30,340Montana $30,130North Dakota $29,980Pennsylvania $29,950Idaho $29,920Nebraska $29,740Georgia $29,730Texas $29,610Wyoming $29,600Ohio $29,520Indiana $29,480Iowa $29,300South Carolina $29,160Wisconsin $29,070Kentucky $29,060Alabama $28,930South Dakota $28,190Kansas $28,060Arkansas $27,540Oklahoma $27,390West Virginia $26,460Louisiana $26,440Mississippi $26,300
Working as a Dishwasher in California
Nationally, about 477,000 people work as Dishwashers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($37,870) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dishwasher make in California?
The median Dishwasher salary in California is $37,870 per year, or about $18.21 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,160 at the entry level to $45,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Dishwashers about 9% more than the national median of $34,810. California ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Dishwashers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $37,870 a year. About 74,160 Dishwashers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Dishwasher salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.