Dishwasher Salary in Tennessee: $33,000 Average

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Average base salary, Tennessee

$33,000 / year

≈ $2,750 per month · $15.87 per hour

LocationOr metro area

BLS May 2025 state data for Tennessee · median $31,500

25th percentile
$29,000Average
$33,00075th percentile
$38,000

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.

Dishwasher salary by state

Alabama$30,000

Alaska$33,500

Arizona$37,000

Arkansas$29,500

California$41,000

Colorado$39,500

Connecticut$38,000

Delaware$36,500

District of Columbia$42,000

Florida$33,500

Georgia$31,000

Hawaii$43,000

Idaho$32,500

Illinois$37,500

Indiana$30,500

Iowa$30,000

Kansas$30,000

Kentucky$30,000

Louisiana$27,000

Maine$37,500

Maryland$36,000

Massachusetts$40,500

Michigan$33,500

Minnesota$34,000

Mississippi$26,500

Missouri$35,000

Montana$32,500

Nebraska$33,000

Nevada$37,500

New Hampshire$35,500

New Jersey$37,500

New Mexico$33,000

New York$39,000

North Carolina$32,000

North Dakota$32,000

Ohio$31,500

Oklahoma$28,000

Oregon$38,000

Pennsylvania$31,000

Rhode Island$35,500

South Carolina$31,000

South Dakota$30,000

Tennessee$33,000

Texas$31,000

Utah$32,500

Vermont$36,500

Virginia$34,500

Washington$43,000

West Virginia$27,500

Wisconsin$30,000

Wyoming$32,500

About this role

Dishwasher is a professional role in the Food Preparation and Serving job family. Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.

What Dishwashers do

Typical education: High School Diploma

Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, or pans, using dishwashers or by hand.
Maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, or utensils in clean and orderly condition.
Place clean dishes, utensils, or cooking equipment in storage areas.
Sweep or scrub floors.
Stock supplies, such as food or utensils, in serving stations, cupboards, refrigerators, or salad bars.

Top skills: Operation and Control Coordination Time Management Active Listening Speaking Social Perceptiveness

Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).

Dishwasher salary by industry

Accommodation and Food Services

412,400 workers

$35,500

Health Care and Social Assistance

16,910 workers

$36,500

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

15,910 workers

$36,000

Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services

9,390 workers

$36,500

Sectors 44 and 45 – Retail Trade

8,090 workers

$37,000

Sectors 31, 32, and 33 – Manufacturing

6,150 workers

$36,500

Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)

3,750 workers

$37,500

Other Services (except Public Administration)

2,680 workers

$35,500

National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.

How this role compares

Dishwasher pays 13% below the average across 17 roles in the Food Preparation and Serving job family (family average $41,000).

Similar-paying roles in Food Preparation and Serving

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$35,500

Food Preparation Worker$36,500

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$34,000

Cooks, Short Order$37,500

Cooks, Fast Food$33,500

Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$38,000

Cooks, Restaurant$40,000

Cooks, All Other$40,500

Waiters and Waitresses$41,500

Bartender$42,000

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Dishwasher make?

The average base salary for a Dishwasher in the United States is $35,500 per year, or about $17.07 per hour.

What is the typical salary range?

Pay typically falls between $30,500 and $38,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.

How does this compare with other Food Preparation and Serving roles?

The Food Preparation and Serving job family averages $41,000 across 17 roles tracked by WePayFairly.

Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.

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