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Prep cook/dishwasher salary
Average prep cook/dishwasher salary
$15.23
Average Prep Cook/Dishwasher Salary
The average salary for a prep cook/dishwasher in the United States stands at $31,687 annually, which breaks down to about $15 per hour. These figures can vary significantly based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the type of establishment one works for.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level positions typically start around $27,000 per year, while those with more experience can earn upwards of $38,000 or more, especially in high-demand locations like California and New York.
Where to Earn More
Locations such as major cities often offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled workers. For instance, cities like San Francisco and New York are known for paying higher wages for prep cooks and dishwashers. Additionally, working in fine dining establishments may yield better compensation compared to fast food outlets.
Conclusion
Job seekers in this field should consider these factors when evaluating salary offers. By understanding the salary landscape, individuals can make informed decisions that align with their career goals.
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Where can a Prep Cook/Dishwasher earn more?
Prep cook/dishwasher salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level prep cook/dishwasher | $23,800 | $11.42 |
| Mid-level prep cook/dishwasher | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Senior-level prep cook/dishwasher | $34,100 | $16.39 |
Average prep cook/dishwasher salary by state
The average prep cook/dishwasher salary in Washington, California, and Oregon are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average prep cook/dishwasher salary states are Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for prep cook/dishwashers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $34,037 | $16.36 |
| 2 | Washington | $39,430 | $18.96 |
| 3 | Oregon | $35,069 | $16.86 |
| 4 | Nevada | $31,527 | $15.16 |
| 5 | Idaho | $31,895 | $15.33 |
| 6 | Arizona | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| 7 | California | $35,963 | $17.29 |
| 8 | New York | $34,928 | $16.79 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $32,869 | $15.80 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $32,839 | $15.79 |
| 11 | Colorado | $31,978 | $15.37 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $33,898 | $16.30 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $30,643 | $14.73 |
| 14 | Illinois | $30,550 | $14.69 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $32,818 | $15.78 |
| 16 | Vermont | $32,413 | $15.58 |
| 17 | Maine | $30,937 | $14.87 |
| 18 | Montana | $29,466 | $14.17 |
| 19 | New Mexico | $28,846 | $13.87 |
| 20 | Indiana | $28,308 | $13.61 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $29,079 | $13.98 |
| 22 | Ohio | $27,307 | $13.13 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $30,277 | $14.56 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $29,984 | $14.42 |
| 25 | Utah | $29,191 | $14.03 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $29,365 | $14.12 |
| 27 | Rhode Island | $30,667 | $14.74 |
| 28 | Michigan | $27,773 | $13.35 |
| 29 | District of Columbia | $33,680 | $16.19 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $31,932 | $15.35 |
| 31 | Delaware | $30,482 | $14.65 |
| 32 | Maryland | $30,052 | $14.45 |
| 33 | Iowa | $27,439 | $13.19 |
| 34 | New Jersey | $30,571 | $14.70 |
| 35 | Missouri | $27,775 | $13.35 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $24,927 | $11.98 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $25,580 | $12.30 |
| 38 | South Dakota | $27,647 | $13.29 |
| 39 | Florida | $26,004 | $12.50 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $26,155 | $12.57 |
| 41 | Kansas | $27,387 | $13.17 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $26,653 | $12.81 |
| 43 | Texas | $24,988 | $12.01 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $24,494 | $11.78 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $25,372 | $12.20 |
| 46 | Georgia | $25,224 | $12.13 |
| 47 | Alabama | $26,005 | $12.50 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $24,739 | $11.89 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $23,017 | $11.07 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $21,180 | $10.18 |
| 51 | Virginia | $24,823 | $11.93 |
Highest paying cities for prep cook/dishwashers
The highest-paying cities for prep cook/dishwashers are Seattle, WA, Santa Rosa, CA, and Portland, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $39,622 | $19.05 |
| 2 | Santa Rosa, CA | $37,883 | $18.21 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $35,017 | $16.84 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $34,861 | $16.76 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $33,914 | $16.30 |
| 6 | Farmington, CT | $32,896 | $15.82 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $32,026 | $15.40 |
| 8 | Teaneck, NJ | $30,813 | $14.81 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $30,636 | $14.73 |
| 10 | Eagan, MN | $29,938 | $14.39 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $29,103 | $13.99 |
| 12 | Kansas City, MO | $27,999 | $13.46 |
| 13 | Columbus, OH | $26,869 | $12.92 |
| 14 | Tallahassee, FL | $26,665 | $12.82 |
| 15 | Alpharetta, GA | $25,466 | $12.24 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $24,915 | $11.98 |
| 17 | Raleigh, NC | $24,825 | $11.94 |
Prep Cook/Dishwashers are the most in-demand in these five cities:
Prep cook/dishwasher salary details
A prep cook/dishwasher's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a prep cook/dishwasher's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $31,687 | $2,641 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying prep cook/dishwasher jobs
The highest paying types of prep cook/dishwashers are lead cook, line cook/dishwasher, and assistant cook.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Helper | $25,796 | $2,150 | $12.40 | 80,202 |
| Food Prep | $25,840 | $2,153 | $12.42 | 168,743 |
| Cook | $31,803 | $2,650 | $15.29 | 184,818 |
| Kitchen Cook | $31,452 | $2,621 | $15.12 | 250,354 |
| Line Cook | $32,895 | $2,741 | $15.81 | 168,993 |
| Lead Cook | $35,964 | $2,997 | $17.29 | 160,223 |
Top companies hiring prep cook/dishwashers now:
Which companies pay prep cook/dishwashers the most?
Prep cook/dishwasher salaries at Seattle Seahawks and The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average prep cook/dishwasher salary at companies like Kisco Senior Living and DoorDash are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle Seahawks | $43,973 | $21.14 |
| 2 | The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern | $38,989 | $18.74 |
| 3 | Kisco Senior Living | $36,283 | $17.44 |
| 4 | DoorDash | $36,017 | $17.32 |
| 5 | HEI Hotels & Resorts | $35,506 | $17.07 |
| 6 | National Pancake House | $35,170 | $16.91 |
| 7 | Brewery Ommegang | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| 8 | Grand Casino | $33,242 | $15.98 |
| 9 | Mollie Stone's Markets | $32,858 | $15.80 |
| 10 | DIGS.com | $32,814 | $15.78 |
| 11 | Mardi Gras Casino | $32,746 | $15.74 |
| 12 | Marriott International | $32,499 | $15.62 |
| 13 | PCC Community Markets | $32,271 | $15.51 |
| 14 | SusieCakes Bakery | $32,205 | $15.48 |
| 15 | TPI | $31,968 | $15.37 |
| 16 | Avera Health | $31,951 | $15.36 |
| 17 | Northbridge Communities | $31,831 | $15.30 |
| 18 | Maryville Academy | $31,739 | $15.26 |
| 19 | Fairmont Hot Springs Resort | $31,737 | $15.26 |
| 20 | SAGE Dining Services | $31,686 | $15.23 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Prep cook/dishwasher salary trends
The average prep cook/dishwasher salary has risen by $7,394 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average prep cook/dishwasher earned $24,293 annually, but today, they earn $31,687 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for prep cook/dishwashers over the last decade.
Compare prep cook/dishwasher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average prep cook/dishwasher salary over time
Compare prep cook/dishwasher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Prep cook/dishwasher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $31,700 | $15.23 | +3.5% |
| 2025 | $30,600 | $14.70 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $29,200 | $14.03 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $27,700 | $13.32 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $26,600 | $12.77 | +4.3% |
Recently added prep cook/dishwasher salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dig Chefs-In-Training | Immediately: Dishwasher/Prep Cook | New York, NY | 06/29/2025 | $34,436 |
| Dig Chefs-In-Training | Immediately:Dishwasher/Prep Cook, University City | Philadelphia, PA | 06/29/2025 | $33,392 |
| Dig Chefs-In-Training | Immediately: Dishwasher/Prep Cook, Downtown Crossing | Boston, MA | 06/29/2025 | $33,392 |
| DECC | Catering Dishwasher & Prep Cook | Duluth, MN | 06/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| Brightspring Health Services | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | San Luis Obispo, CA | 06/27/2025 | $34,436 |
| Hyatt Family Facilities | Dishwasher/Prep | Anacortes, WA | 06/26/2025 | $37,566 |
| Res-Care, Inc. | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | San Luis Obispo, CA | 06/26/2025 | $34,436 |
| Dig Chefs-In-Training | Immediately:Dishwasher/Prep Cook | Stamford, CT | 06/26/2025 | $33,392 |
| Five Star Food Service, Inc. | Dishwasher/Prep {Denso Athens} | Cleveland, TN | 06/24/2025 | $29,218 |
| Five Star Breaktime Solutions | Dishwasher/Prep {Denso Athens} | Knoxville, TN | 06/24/2025 | $29,218 |
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