Food Service · SOC 35-9021
Dishwashing is one of the most physical, wet, and unglamorous jobs in food service — and one of the least likely to be automated soon.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: Industrial dishwashing robots exist but remain expensive for most food service operations; meaningful displacement of dishwashers at scale is unlikely before 2032, especially in smaller establishments.
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$32,670 median pay
$35,620 median pay
$34,220 median pay
$44,530 median pay
$30,160 median pay
$36,830 median pay
AI job-risk card
Dishwashers is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Dishwashers is 15/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
15 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Preparing and packaging individual place settings. Harder to automate: Hand-washing and machine-running dishes, Maintaining clean and orderly kitchen areas, Storing clean dishes and utensils, Stocking supplies in service areas.
Lean into Kitchen sanitation procedures, Commercial dishwasher operation, Physical stamina, Food safety compliance. Consider roles such as Kitchen Prep Worker or Line Cook or Kitchen Supervisor.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.