Research Summary. After extensive research by the Zippia data science team, we identified these details of prep cook/dishwasher salary by state for the United States in 2026:
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Washington continues to lead with the highest prep cook/dishwasher salary at $39,430
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Mississippi remains the state with the lowest prep cook/dishwasher salary at $21,180
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The national average salary for prep cook/dishwashers is $31,687
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The national hourly pay for prep cook/dishwashers is $15.23
You can read more on the specific methodology.
Background
In 2026, salary remains the most significant factor for job seekers across various demographics. For many, understanding how much prep cook/dishwashers earn in their locality is crucial.
While individual salaries may vary based on specific locations and job dynamics, we provide robust data on average salaries for prep cook/dishwasher roles by state, reflecting trends in seniority levels and market changes.
Washington ranks as the state offering the highest salary for prep cook/dishwashers, a testament to its thriving hospitality sector.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for prep cook/dishwasher salaries in 2026:
Let’s dive into the detailed rankings by state and understand the context behind these salaries.
Highest-Paid Prep Cook/dishwashers By State
| Rank | State | Average Prep Cook/dishwasher Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $39,430 | $31,000 | $49,000 |
| 2 | California | $35,963 | $28,000 | $46,000 |
| 3 | Oregon | $35,069 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 4 | New York | $34,928 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 5 | Alaska | $34,037 | $28,000 | $40,000 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $33,898 | $27,000 | $42,000 |
| 7 | Wyoming | $32,869 | $25,000 | $41,000 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $32,839 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $32,818 | $25,000 | $41,000 |
| 10 | Vermont | $32,413 | $26,000 | $39,000 |
| 11 | Colorado | $31,978 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $31,932 | $26,000 | $39,000 |
| 13 | Idaho | $31,895 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 14 | Nevada | $31,527 | $24,000 | $40,000 |
| 15 | Maine | $30,937 | $25,000 | $37,000 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $30,667 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $30,643 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $30,571 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 19 | Illinois | $30,550 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
| 20 | Arizona | $30,490 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
| 21 | Delaware | $30,482 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
| 22 | Nebraska | $30,277 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 23 | Maryland | $30,052 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $29,984 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 25 | Montana | $29,466 | $23,000 | $37,000 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $29,365 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 27 | Utah | $29,191 | $23,000 | $36,000 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $29,079 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 29 | New Mexico | $28,846 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 30 | Indiana | $28,308 | $22,000 | $36,000 |
| 31 | Missouri | $27,775 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 32 | Michigan | $27,773 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $27,647 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 34 | Iowa | $27,439 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 35 | Kansas | $27,387 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 36 | Ohio | $27,307 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $26,653 | $20,000 | $34,000 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $26,155 | $20,000 | $33,000 |
| 39 | Alabama | $26,005 | $20,000 | $33,000 |
| 40 | Florida | $26,004 | $19,000 | $33,000 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $25,580 | $19,000 | $33,000 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $25,372 | $19,000 | $32,000 |
| 43 | Georgia | $25,224 | $19,000 | $32,000 |
| 44 | Texas | $24,988 | $19,000 | $32,000 |
| 45 | Tennessee | $24,927 | $19,000 | $32,000 |
| 46 | Virginia | $24,823 | $19,000 | $32,000 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $24,739 | $19,000 | $31,000 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $24,494 | $19,000 | $31,000 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $23,017 | $17,000 | $29,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $21,180 | $16,000 | $27,000 |
Methodology: Prep Cook/dishwasher Salary By State
To comprehensively understand prep cook/dishwasher pay by state, Zippia has aggregated data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and current job postings. This data is then processed to create a weighted average salary for prep cook/dishwashers in each state.
We utilized this average annual salary data to rank states based on average compensation for prep cook/dishwashers, identifying the state with the highest salary accordingly.
Prep Cook/dishwasher Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for prep cook/dishwashers?
The highest-paid state for prep cook/dishwashers is Washington with an average salary of $39,430 per year.
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What city pays prep cook/dishwashers the most?
Seattle, WA currently pays prep cook/dishwashers the highest, averaging $39,622 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for prep cook/dishwashers?
The lowest-paying state for prep cook/dishwashers is Mississippi with an average salary of $21,180 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
