Dishwasher Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Dishwashers in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$38,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $34,810
State Rank
#2 of 51
3,580 employed here

How much does a Dishwasher make in District of Columbia?

A Dishwasher working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $38,670 per year, or about $18.59 per hour. That is 11% above the national median of $34,810 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $37,710 while the top 10% make $44,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,060 and $39,720 a year.

Dishwasher salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,710$18.13
25th percentile (early career)$38,060$18.30
50th percentile (median)$38,670$18.59
75th percentile (experienced)$39,720$19.10
90th percentile (top earners)$44,190$21.25

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Dishwasher pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$40,080
2District of Columbia$38,670
3California$37,870
4Colorado$37,840
5Hawaii$37,740

Working as a Dishwasher in District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($38,670) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Dishwasher salary in District of Columbia is $38,670 per year, or about $18.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,710 at the entry level to $44,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Dishwashers about 11% more than the national median of $34,810. District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Dishwashers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $38,670 a year. About 3,580 Dishwashers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Dishwasher salary report

Related salaries

Cook, All Other

$37,690
median pay · 19,000 employed

Cook, Restaurant

$37,390
median pay · 1,410,000 employed

Fast Food and Counter Workers

$31,200
median pay · 3,854,000 employed

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

$37,450
median pay · 441,000 employed

Food Server, Nonrestaurant

$35,360
median pay · 294,000 employed

Food Preparation Worker

$35,320
median pay · 894,000 employed
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.