How To Become A Food Prep/Dishwasher: What It Is and Career Path

What is a food prep/dishwasher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A food prep/dishwasher is responsible for taking on some supportive and janitorial kitchen roles, including washing dishes and appliances, scrubbing floors, restocking items, emptying trash receptacles, and ensuring that dining areas are prepared and cleaned for guests. You are primarily responsible for the sanitization of kitchen items and utensils.

Also, you are to perform basic cooking tasks while under the supervision of cooks or chefs. In addition, it is expected of you to unload and store deliveries. Whenever items are spilled or broken, it is your duty to sweep and mop the floors. Kitchen appliances and machines such as pots, mixers, pans, and coffee makers are expected to be kept clean for use. Furthermore, you are to support all the restaurant staff members by helping with other tasks when needed. You are to ensure that you observe all safety rules and regulations to avoid being hurt.

Food prep/dishwashers necessarily do not need a college degree. Most food prep dishwashers hold a high school diploma or GED. You will make an average salary of $25 534 on a yearly basis.

ScoreFood Prep/DishwasherUS Average

Salary

2.3

Avg. Salary $29,964

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.8

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.98%

Asian 6.93%

Black or African American 11.34%

Hispanic or Latino 17.85%

Unknown 4.94%

White 57.96%

Gender

female 20.12%

male 79.88%

Age - 34

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 34

Stress level

4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.2

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a food prep/dishwasher

Explore food prep/dishwasher education requirements

Most common food prep/dishwasher degrees

High School Diploma

58.0 %

Diploma

16.0 %

Associate

10.9 %

Start to develop specific food prep/dishwasher skills

Skills	Percentages
Food Preparation Equipment	16.85%
Work Ethic	16.62%
Wash Dishes	14.41%
Cleanliness	9.71%
Food Service	8.77%

Complete relevant food prep/dishwasher training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New food prep/dishwashers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a food prep/dishwasher based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real food prep/dishwasher resumes.

Research food prep/dishwasher duties and responsibilities

Prep food items and refrigerate appropriately, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, wash all dishes associate with the daily operations
Operate industrial dishwasher ensuring sanitation of all dishes.
Operate dishwasher keep kitchen clean organize and sanitize.
Take proper care of ranges, ovens, broilers, fryers, griddles, utensils and other equipment.

Prepare your food prep/dishwasher resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your food prep/dishwasher resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a food prep/dishwasher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable food prep/dishwasher resume templates

Build a professional food prep/dishwasher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your food prep/dishwasher resume.