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Salary comparison

Dishwashers vs. Fast Food and Counter Workers: Who Earns More?

Dishwasherss out-earn Fast Food and Counter Workerss by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Dishwasherss land at $34,810 and Fast Food and Counter Workerss at $31,200. The education gap is real: dishwasher programs typically require no formal educational credential, while fast food and counter worker programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Dishwasherss is Washington ($40,080); for Fast Food and Counter Workerss it's California ($42,280).

Dishwashers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
Median salary
$34,810
$31,200
Hourly rate
$16.73/hr
$15/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$26,200
$22,840
Senior level (90th %)
$42,860
$42,650
Education required
No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
477,450
3,854,050
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
6.1%
Category
Food Service
Food Service
Top-paying state
Washington
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Dishwashers median pay.

State
Dishwashers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
Washington
$40,080
$37,710
District of Columbia
$38,670
$37,430
California
$37,870
$42,280
Colorado
$37,840
$36,270
Hawaii
$37,740
$35,250
Massachusetts
$37,190
$35,850
Illinois
$36,180
$33,910
Oregon
$36,040
$35,050
Vermont
$36,010
$36,030
New Jersey
$35,900
$34,150
Maine
$35,620
$34,710
Connecticut
$35,550
$35,380
New York
$35,450
$35,250
Arizona
$35,130
$34,230
Maryland
$34,030
$33,660

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Dishwasherss or Fast Food and Counter Workerss?

Dishwasherss earn more nationally. The median is $34,810 for Dishwasherss versus $31,200 for Fast Food and Counter Workerss, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Dishwashers or Fast Food and Counter Workers?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Dishwashers or Fast Food and Counter Workers?

Dishwashers typically requires no formal educational credential. Fast Food and Counter Workers requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Dishwasherss get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Dishwasherss at $40,080/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Dishwashers vs. Fast Food and Counter Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Dishwasherss earn $40,080 vs. $37,710 for Fast Food and Counter Workerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Dishwashers salary breakdownView →Full Fast Food and Counter Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Dishwasherss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Fast Food and Counter Workerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a dishwashersGuide →How to become a fast food and counter workersGuide →