Dishwasher Salary in Wilmington, NC
Dishwashers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median $29,870 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,497 take-home, or $2,125 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dishwasher salary in Wilmington, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,404
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,852
- Medicare (1.45%)$433
- North Carolina income tax$683
- Take-home pay$25,497
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Dishwasher pay by experience in Wilmington, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,510 | $11.30 | $20,541 | $1,712 |
| 25th percentile | $26,560 | $12.77 | $22,931 | $1,911 |
| Median (50th) | $29,870 | $14.36 | $25,497 | $2,125 |
| 75th percentile | $33,300 | $16.01 | $28,117 | $2,343 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,660 | $17.63 | $30,682 | $2,557 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,870 buys in Wilmington, NC
Prices in Wilmington, NC are 3.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 7% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median dishwasher's $25,497 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,444 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Wilmington, NC has 1.3× the national concentration of dishwasher jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for dishwashers, adjusted for cost of living
Wilmington, NC ranks #126 of 156 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $45,930 | $37,094 | $33,909 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $42,750 | $36,530 | $32,870 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $43,960 | $36,183 | $32,767 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $34,800 | $29,444 | $31,816 |
| 5 | Atlantic City, NJ | $37,110 | $31,417 | $31,780 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $36,330 | $31,371 | $31,263 |
| 7 | Omaha, NE | $33,810 | $28,688 | $31,212 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $35,360 | $30,592 | $31,195 |
| 126 | Wilmington, NC | $29,870 | $25,497 | $26,444 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 156 metros →
Dishwasher salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Durham, NC — $33,800
- Asheville, NC — $31,860
- Charlotte, NC — $31,920
- Greensboro, NC — $29,760
- Raleigh, NC — $31,300
- Winston, NC — $29,050
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dishwasher make in Wilmington, NC?
The median dishwasher salary in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $29,870 a year, or about $14.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $26,560 and $33,300.
What is a dishwasher’s take-home pay in Wilmington, NC?
On the median $29,870 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $25,497 a year ($2,125 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $683 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a dishwasher?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $34,810. Local prices are 3.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,444 would in a typical U.S. city. Wilmington, NC ranks #126 of 156 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dishwasher afford rent in Wilmington, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Wilmington, NC is $1,380 a month ($1,512 for two bedrooms) — 65% of a median dishwasher’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,360
- Bartender — $37,890
- Cooks, Restaurant — $34,940
- Food Preparation Worker — $31,830
- Waiter and Waitress — $30,610
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,250
- Cooks, Fast Food — $27,500
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,460
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $27,320