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Food prep/dishwasher demographics and statistics in the US

Food prep/dishwasher demographics research summary. Zippia estimates food prep/dishwasher demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our food prep/dishwasher estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about food prep/dishwashers after extensive research and analysis:

  • There are over 520,830 food prep/dishwashers currently employed in the United States.
  • 20.1% of all food prep/dishwashers are women, while 79.9% are men.
  • The average food prep/dishwasher age is 36 years old.
  • The most common ethnicity of food prep/dishwashers is White (58.0%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (17.9%), Black or African American (11.3%) and Asian (6.9%).
  • In 2022, women earned 98% of what men earned.
  • 6% of all food prep/dishwashers are LGBT.
  • Food prep/dishwashers are 75% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
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Food prep/dishwasher demographics by:

Food prep/dishwasher gender statistics

20.1% of food prep/dishwashers are women and 79.9% of food prep/dishwashers are men.
  • Male, 79.9%
  • Female, 20.1%

Food prep/dishwasher gender ratio

GenderPercentages
Male79.9%
Female20.1%

Food prep/dishwasher gender pay gap

Women earn 98¢ for every $1 earned by men

male-income
Male income
$30,740
female-income
Female income
$30,219

Food prep/dishwasher gender ratio over time

This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in food prep/dishwasher positions over time. Currently, 20.1% of food prep/dishwashers are female.
Male
Female
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

Food prep/dishwasher gender ratio by year

YearMaleFemale
201078.69%21.31%
201179.39%20.61%
201278.92%21.08%
201380.51%19.49%
201479.16%20.84%
201580.77%19.23%
201679.39%20.61%
201779.20%20.80%
201878.69%21.31%
201979.84%20.16%
202080.31%19.69%
202179.88%20.12%

Food prep/dishwasher related jobs gender ratio

We compared food prep/dishwashers with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, saucier and vacuum kettle cook have the biggest gender ratio gaps.

Job titleMaleFemale
Diet Clerk13%87%
Dietary Clerk16%84%
School Cafeteria Cook20%80%
Food Prep/Dishwasher80%20%
Line Cook/Dishwasher84%16%
Vacuum Kettle Cook87%13%
Saucier91%9%

Food prep/dishwasher demographics by race

The most common ethnicity among food prep/dishwashers is White, which makes up 58.0% of all food prep/dishwashers. Comparatively, 17.9% of food prep/dishwashers are Hispanic or Latino and 11.3% of food prep/dishwashers are Black or African American.
  • White, 58.0%
  • Hispanic or Latino, 17.9%
  • Black or African American, 11.3%
  • Asian, 6.9%
  • Unknown, 4.9%
  • American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%

Food prep/dishwasher race

Food prep/dishwasher racePercentages
White58.0%
Hispanic or Latino17.9%
Black or African American11.3%
Asian6.9%
Unknown4.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native1.0%

Food prep/dishwasher race and ethnicity over time

See how food prep/dishwasher racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.

Food prep/dishwasher race and ethnicity by year

YearWhiteBlack or African AmericanAsianHispanic or Latino
201065.29%10.50%6.02%15.35%
201164.38%11.04%6.27%15.38%
201264.00%11.34%5.70%15.65%
201363.97%10.80%5.75%16.23%
201463.43%11.10%5.97%16.13%
201563.24%10.84%6.18%16.28%
201662.41%10.73%6.32%16.81%
201762.78%9.91%6.68%16.83%
201864.10%9.89%6.10%15.96%
201962.81%10.73%6.49%16.28%
202059.84%11.43%7.07%16.07%
202157.96%11.34%6.93%17.85%

Food prep/dishwasher wage gap by race

According to our data, hispanic or latino food prep/dishwashers have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Black or african american food prep/dishwashers have the lowest average salary at $30,444.
$32,000
$31,000
$30,000
Unknown
White
Black or African American
Asian
Hispanic or Latino
EthnicitySalary
Unknown$30,823
White$30,560
Black or African American$30,444
Asian$30,931
Hispanic or Latino$30,947

Average food prep/dishwasher age

See how the average age of food prep/dishwashers varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female

Food prep/dishwasher age by race and gender

RaceMale ageFemale age
Black or African American3341
Unknown23.530.5
Asian4051
Hispanic or Latino2841
White2639
American Indian and Alaska Native32.5

Food prep/dishwasher age breakdown

The average age of food prep/dishwashers is 40+ years years old, representing 41% of the food prep/dishwasher population.

40+ years

30-40 years

20-30 years


Food prep/dishwasher age breakdown

Food Prep/Dishwasher YearsPercentages
40+ years41%
30-40 years17%
20-30 years29%

Food prep/dishwasher educational attainment

The most common degree for food prep/dishwashers is high school diploma, with 58% of food prep/dishwashers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are diploma degree at 16% and diploma degree at 11%.
  • High School Diploma, 58%
  • Diploma, 16%
  • Associate, 11%
  • Bachelor's, 10%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

Food prep/dishwashers by degree level

Food prep/dishwasher degreePercentages
High School Diploma58%
Diploma16%
Associate11%
Bachelor's10%
Other Degrees5%

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Food prep/dishwasher wage gap by degree level

According to the data, food prep/dishwashers with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $31,237 annually. With a Associate degree, food prep/dishwashers earn a median annual income of $30,646 compared to $30,460 for food prep/dishwashers with an High School Diploma degree.
$32,000
$31,000
$30,000
High School Diploma or Less
Bachelor's Degree
Some College/ Associate Degree
EducationSalary
High School Diploma or Less$30,460
Bachelor's Degree$31,237
Some College/ Associate Degree$30,646

Food prep/dishwasher employment statistics

Most food prep/dishwashers work for a private in the hospitality industry.

Company size where food prep/dishwashers work

Below, you can see the size of companies where food prep/dishwashers work.

< 50 employees

50 - 100 employees

100 - 500 employees

500 - 1,000 employees

1,000 - 10,000 employees

> 10,000

Food prep/dishwasher jobs by employer size

Company sizePercentages
< 50 employees9%
50 - 100 employees11%
100 - 500 employees20%
500 - 1,000 employees7%
1,000 - 10,000 employees30%
> 10,000 employees24%

Food prep/dishwasher jobs by company type

Employees with the food prep/dishwasher job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most food prep/dishwashers prefer to work at private companies over public companies.

Education

Public

Private

Government

Food prep/dishwasher jobs by sector

Company typePercentages
Education3%
Public20%
Private75%
Government1%

Food prep/dishwasher jobs by industry

The most common industries for food prep/dishwashers are hospitality, retail and professional.

Hospitality

Retail

Professional

Education

Media

Food prep/dishwasher turnover and employment statistics

Food prep/dishwasher unemployment rate over time

The unemployment rate for food prep/dishwashers between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Food prep/dishwasher unemployment rate by year

YearFood prep/dishwasher unemployment rate
201014.59%
201113.33%
201212.38%
201311.18%
20149.76%
20158.87%
20168.75%
20178.82%
20188.52%
20197.91%
202010.18%
20218.94%

Average food prep/dishwasher tenure

The average food prep/dishwasher stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 10,266 food prep/dishwashers resumes in Zippia's database.

Less than one year

1-2 years

3-4 years

5-7 years

8-10 years

11+ years

Food prep/dishwasher tenure statistics

Number of yearsPercentages
Less than 1 year50%
1-2 years30%
3-4 years9%
5-7 years8%
8-10 years1%
11+ years1%

Food prep/dishwasher LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs

Review the percent of food prep/dishwashers that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
Job titleLGBTJob openings
Grill Attendant4.90%48,697
Food Prep/Dishwasher5.52%-
Waitstaff7.02%130,467
Party Hostess7.29%9,255
Lead Barista7.36%70,195
Lead Bartender7.68%28,748
Kitchen Assistant Manager8.43%74,718

Similar food prep/dishwasher jobs LGBT demographics

ProfessionPercentages of LGBT Job openings
Grill Attendant4.90%48,697
Waitstaff7.02%130,467
Party Hostess7.29%9,255
Lead Barista7.36%70,195
Lead Bartender7.68%28,748
Kitchen Assistant Manager8.43%74,718

Foreign languages spoken by food prep/dishwashers

The most common foreign language among food prep/dishwashers is Spanish at 77.7%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 5.7% and German is the third-most popular at 4.1%.
  • Spanish, 77.7%
  • French, 5.7%
  • German, 4.1%
  • Japanese, 2.6%
  • Italian, 1.6%
  • Other, 8.3%

Food prep/dishwasher languages spoken

Foreign languagePercentages
Spanish77.7%
French5.7%
German4.1%
Japanese2.6%
Italian1.6%
Other8.3%

Food prep/dishwasher jobs

Food prep/dishwasher location demographics

The amount you can make as a food prep/dishwasher can depend on where you live. For example, the highest salary of food prep/dishwashers is $37,305. Use our chart to find out where that salary is located.

Where do food prep/dishwashers earn the most?

Food prep/dishwashers earn the most in Washington, where the average food prep/dishwasher salary is $37,335. The map here shows where food prep/dishwashers earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.
Average salary

Which city has the most Food Prep/Dishwashers?

By looking through more than 10,266 resumes, we found that the most popular places for food prep/dishwashers are New York, NY and Chicago, IL.
Number of Food Prep/Dishwashers

Food prep/dishwasher jobs by state

RankStateNumber of jobsAverage salary
1California2,170$33,545
2Texas2,147$25,376
3Florida1,982$25,289
4Pennsylvania1,074$29,782
5New York1,053$33,761
6North Carolina1,049$23,970
7Illinois1,030$30,827
8Georgia988$24,236
9Ohio891$25,440
10Virginia884$26,659
11Michigan828$28,138
12Indiana755$25,030
13Tennessee706$22,053
14New Jersey704$27,319
15Arizona665$28,534
16Massachusetts663$32,367
17South Carolina601$26,258
18Washington552$37,335
19Colorado544$31,108
20Wisconsin532$27,118
21Minnesota497$32,833
22Missouri471$26,744
23Kentucky433$25,512
24Maryland433$28,403
25Alabama392$19,670
26Iowa366$26,658
27Louisiana338$22,266
28Kansas303$25,600
29Oklahoma301$22,631
30Oregon290$35,144
31Connecticut288$31,426
32Mississippi279$22,354
33Utah276$27,940
34Arkansas257$24,211
35Nevada211$30,280
36New Mexico167$25,707
37West Virginia163$24,689
38Nebraska155$27,743
39Idaho132$26,156
40New Hampshire123$29,358
41Maine119$35,572
42South Dakota118$25,544
43Alaska117$32,944
44Delaware114$30,161
45Montana106$24,879
46Rhode Island72$31,892
47Hawaii70$31,927
48District of Columbia65$35,456
49North Dakota62$27,900
50Wyoming60$27,853
51Vermont60$29,975

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