National Salary Overview
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$33,726
Average (Mean)
$34,997
Employed Nationwide
293,910
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns $1,540 more (4.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$32,185
$33,726
Average (Mean) Salary
$32,829
$34,997
Total Employment
477,420
293,910
States with Higher Pay
8
43
Salary by State: Dishwashers vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dishwashers pays more in 8 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 43.
| State | Dishwashers | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,930 | $29,000 | $-70 | ||
| Alaska | $33,890 | $38,090 | $-4,200 | ||
| Arizona | $35,130 | $35,390 | $-260 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,540 | $27,600 | $-60 | ||
| California | $37,870 | $39,010 | $-1,140 | ||
| Colorado | $37,840 | $38,900 | $-1,060 | ||
| Connecticut | $35,550 | $35,950 | $-400 | ||
| Delaware | $35,780 | $31,430 | +$4,350 | ||
| District of Columbia | $38,670 | $37,920 | +$750 | ||
| Florida | $31,240 | $33,930 | $-2,690 | ||
| Georgia | $29,730 | $31,530 | $-1,800 | ||
| Hawaii | $37,740 | $37,920 | $-180 | ||
| Idaho | $29,920 | $34,220 | $-4,300 | ||
| Illinois | $36,180 | $35,080 | +$1,100 | ||
| Indiana | $29,480 | $31,840 | $-2,360 | ||
| Iowa | $29,300 | $30,110 | $-810 | ||
| Kansas | $28,060 | $29,040 | $-980 | ||
| Kentucky | $29,060 | $32,200 | $-3,140 | ||
| Louisiana | $26,440 | $27,200 | $-760 | ||
| Maine | $35,620 | $37,680 | $-2,060 | ||
| Maryland | $34,030 | $36,650 | $-2,620 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,190 | $36,750 | +$440 | ||
| Michigan | $31,300 | $34,260 | $-2,960 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,060 | $36,000 | $-1,940 | ||
| Mississippi | $26,300 | $27,250 | $-950 | ||
| Missouri | $32,150 | $31,840 | +$310 | ||
| Montana | $30,130 | $32,090 | $-1,960 | ||
| Nebraska | $29,740 | $31,540 | $-1,800 | ||
| Nevada | $34,920 | $36,030 | $-1,110 | ||
| New Hampshire | $34,960 | $36,710 | $-1,750 | ||
| New Jersey | $35,900 | $36,390 | $-490 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,520 | $35,740 | $-5,220 | ||
| New York | $35,450 | $39,370 | $-3,920 | ||
| North Carolina | $30,340 | $31,460 | $-1,120 | ||
| North Dakota | $29,980 | $36,910 | $-6,930 | ||
| Ohio | $29,520 | $30,440 | $-920 | ||
| Oklahoma | $27,390 | $28,490 | $-1,100 | ||
| Oregon | $36,040 | $36,620 | $-580 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $29,950 | $33,300 | $-3,350 | ||
| Rhode Island | $33,960 | $34,860 | $-900 | ||
| South Carolina | $29,160 | $31,740 | $-2,580 | ||
| South Dakota | $28,190 | $31,980 | $-3,790 | ||
| Tennessee | $30,530 | $30,670 | $-140 | ||
| Texas | $29,610 | $29,300 | +$310 | ||
| Utah | $31,830 | $30,170 | +$1,660 | ||
| Vermont | $36,010 | $37,540 | $-1,530 | ||
| Virginia | $33,130 | $35,090 | $-1,960 | ||
| Washington | $40,080 | $38,870 | +$1,210 | ||
| West Virginia | $26,460 | $30,170 | $-3,710 | ||
| Wisconsin | $29,070 | $34,670 | $-5,600 | ||
| Wyoming | $29,600 | $33,090 | $-3,490 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Dishwashers vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Dishwashers or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
On average across all states, a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns more than a Dishwashers. The national median salary difference is $1,540 (4.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dishwashers earn more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
A Dishwashers earns a higher median salary than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in 8 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 43 states.
What is the median salary for a Dishwashers vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
The national median salary for a Dishwashers is $32,185 per year, compared to $33,726 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dishwashers or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
There are more people employed as Dishwashers. BLS reports approximately 477,420 Dishwashers positions and 293,910 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Dishwashers or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Both Dishwashers and Food Servers, Nonrestaurant are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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