National Salary Overview
VS
Waiters and Waitresses earns $1,778 more (5.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$32,185
$33,964
Average (Mean) Salary
$32,829
$39,648
Total Employment
477,420
2,270,900
States with Higher Pay
20
31
Salary by State: Dishwashers vs Waiters and Waitresses
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dishwashers pays more in 20 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 31.
| State | Dishwashers | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,930 | $26,840 | +$2,090 | ||
| Alaska | $33,890 | $26,310 | +$7,580 | ||
| Arizona | $35,130 | $43,950 | $-8,820 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,540 | $24,680 | +$2,860 | ||
| California | $37,870 | $36,080 | +$1,790 | ||
| Colorado | $37,840 | $44,860 | $-7,020 | ||
| Connecticut | $35,550 | $37,770 | $-2,220 | ||
| Delaware | $35,780 | $36,880 | $-1,100 | ||
| District of Columbia | $38,670 | $47,850 | $-9,180 | ||
| Florida | $31,240 | $36,150 | $-4,910 | ||
| Georgia | $29,730 | $18,700 | +$11,030 | ||
| Hawaii | $37,740 | $62,390 | $-24,650 | ||
| Idaho | $29,920 | $30,050 | $-130 | ||
| Illinois | $36,180 | $31,200 | +$4,980 | ||
| Indiana | $29,480 | $28,480 | +$1,000 | ||
| Iowa | $29,300 | $21,000 | +$8,300 | ||
| Kansas | $28,060 | $36,120 | $-8,060 | ||
| Kentucky | $29,060 | $29,660 | $-600 | ||
| Louisiana | $26,440 | $15,080 | +$11,360 | ||
| Maine | $35,620 | $43,370 | $-7,750 | ||
| Maryland | $34,030 | $36,750 | $-2,720 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,190 | $38,460 | $-1,270 | ||
| Michigan | $31,300 | $37,760 | $-6,460 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,060 | $25,470 | +$8,590 | ||
| Mississippi | $26,300 | $21,370 | +$4,930 | ||
| Missouri | $32,150 | $29,400 | +$2,750 | ||
| Montana | $30,130 | $23,370 | +$6,760 | ||
| Nebraska | $29,740 | $33,770 | $-4,030 | ||
| Nevada | $34,920 | $26,410 | +$8,510 | ||
| New Hampshire | $34,960 | $38,430 | $-3,470 | ||
| New Jersey | $35,900 | $44,960 | $-9,060 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,520 | $36,920 | $-6,400 | ||
| New York | $35,450 | $47,020 | $-11,570 | ||
| North Carolina | $30,340 | $32,150 | $-1,810 | ||
| North Dakota | $29,980 | $30,890 | $-910 | ||
| Ohio | $29,520 | $36,700 | $-7,180 | ||
| Oklahoma | $27,390 | $17,910 | +$9,480 | ||
| Oregon | $36,040 | $48,410 | $-12,370 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $29,950 | $34,690 | $-4,740 | ||
| Rhode Island | $33,960 | $35,420 | $-1,460 | ||
| South Carolina | $29,160 | $18,370 | +$10,790 | ||
| South Dakota | $28,190 | $28,990 | $-800 | ||
| Tennessee | $30,530 | $27,760 | +$2,770 | ||
| Texas | $29,610 | $23,240 | +$6,370 | ||
| Utah | $31,830 | $31,150 | +$680 | ||
| Vermont | $36,010 | $59,140 | $-23,130 | ||
| Virginia | $33,130 | $44,760 | $-11,630 | ||
| Washington | $40,080 | $56,130 | $-16,050 | ||
| West Virginia | $26,460 | $35,380 | $-8,920 | ||
| Wisconsin | $29,070 | $29,670 | $-600 | ||
| Wyoming | $29,600 | $23,920 | +$5,680 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Dishwashers vs Waiters and Waitresses salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Dishwashers or Waiters and Waitresses?
On average across all states, a Waiters and Waitresses earns more than a Dishwashers. The national median salary difference is $1,778 (5.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dishwashers earn more than a Waiters and Waitresses?
A Dishwashers earns a higher median salary than a Waiters and Waitresses in 20 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 31 states.
What is the median salary for a Dishwashers vs Waiters and Waitresses?
The national median salary for a Dishwashers is $32,185 per year, compared to $33,964 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dishwashers or Waiters and Waitresses?
There are more people employed as Waiters and Waitresses. BLS reports approximately 477,420 Dishwashers positions and 2,270,900 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Dishwashers or Waiters and Waitresses?
Both Dishwashers and Waiters and Waitresses 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.
Explore Career Options
Build My Resume Get Certified & Earn More Find Remote & Flexible Jobs Learn a New LanguageCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.