Dishwasher Salary in Washington, DC
Dishwashers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $37,010 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,863 take-home, or $2,572 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dishwasher salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,261
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,295
- Medicare (1.45%)$537
- District of Columbia income tax$1,055
- Take-home pay$30,863
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Dishwasher pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $26,543 | $2,212 |
| 25th percentile | $34,490 | $16.58 | $28,989 | $2,416 |
| Median (50th) | $37,010 | $17.79 | $30,863 | $2,572 |
| 75th percentile | $38,730 | $18.62 | $32,142 | $2,678 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,540 | $20.93 | $35,718 | $2,976 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,010 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median dishwasher's $30,863 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,345 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.2× the national concentration of dishwasher jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for dishwashers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #20 of 40 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $42,750 | $36,530 | $32,870 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $43,960 | $36,183 | $32,767 |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $34,800 | $29,444 | $31,816 |
| 4 | Austin, TX | $35,360 | $30,592 | $31,195 |
| 5 | Nashville, TN | $34,380 | $29,804 | $30,937 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | $35,630 | $30,809 | $30,743 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $38,710 | $32,289 | $30,524 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $33,690 | $29,106 | $30,487 |
| 20 | Washington, DC | $37,010 | $30,863 | $28,345 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 40 metros →
About the job: dishwashers
Clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -1.0% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dishwasher make in Washington, DC?
The median dishwasher salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $37,010 a year, or about $17.79 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,490 and $38,730.
What is a dishwasher’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $37,010 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $30,863 a year ($2,572 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,055 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a dishwasher?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $34,810. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,345 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #20 of 40 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dishwasher afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 77% of a median dishwasher’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Chef and Head Cook — $74,900
- Bartender — $48,030
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $47,580
- Waiter and Waitress — $46,040
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $44,880
- Cooks, Restaurant — $42,920
- Cooks, Short Order — $39,650
- Food Preparation Worker — $37,630
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $37,540
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $37,260
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $36,360
- Cooks, Fast Food — $35,800