Kentucky Median
$29,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.97
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $34,810
State Rank
#43 of 51
4,890 employed here
How much does a Dishwasher make in Kentucky?
Dishwashers in Kentucky take home a median of $29,060 annually — roughly $13.97 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $34,810.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $21,330 while the top 10% make $36,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $24,430 and $33,800 a year.
Dishwasher salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,330 | $10.25 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $24,430 | $11.75 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $29,060 | $13.97 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $33,800 | $16.25 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,240 | $17.42 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 43rd 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 $38,670California $37,870Colorado $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 $29,070Alabama $28,930South Dakota $28,190Kansas $28,060Arkansas $27,540Oklahoma $27,390West Virginia $26,460Louisiana $26,440Mississippi $26,300
Working as a Dishwasher in Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($29,060) 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 Kentucky?
The median Dishwasher salary in Kentucky is $29,060 per year, or about $13.97 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $21,330 at the entry level to $36,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Dishwashers about 17% less than the national median of $34,810. Kentucky ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Dishwashers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $29,060 a year. About 4,890 Dishwashers are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.