JRIJob Risk Index
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Profession JRI–20 / Food Service

Will AI replace dishwashers?

Commercial dishwashers face rapid change as automated warewashing and self-cleaning systems take over routine cycle operation. Exposed tasks include loading racks, running wash cycles, stacking clean items, and scrubbing floors and garbage cans—work that is repetitive and pattern-based.

The risk spectrum — where Dishwasher sits
Dishwasher vs the 82 other jobs
Risk rank20 / 83
Automation timeline0-2 years
Median salary$34,810
Projected growth+0.2% (2024–34)
01 / Your plan

Learn before your role changes.

Picked to match what this role actually asks for — refreshed weekly, never by what a platform pays.

What you'll learn
Food safety audit readinessKitchen workflow coordinationDish room equipment troubleshooting
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Updated Aug 10, 2026

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02 / Job market

Official outlook: still growing.

Within the 83 professions
Salary$34,810
$31k$171k
Growth+0.2% (2024–34)
-25.9%33.5%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a +0.2% change in employment for this occupation between 2024 and 2034, from a current base of 477,450 people employed earning a median of $34,810 a year.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 & OEWS May 2025.

AI adoption in postings →

JRI demand index / weekly, base 100186
Aug 3Aug 10

Collected weekly through our own intake pipeline across live job postings; normalised index, not absolute counts.

03 / Real salaries

Dishwasher salaries by city

Median pay from real records (H-1B filings and tech job postings), across the cities with most observations.

See real salaries →

04 / How to enter

How to become a dishwasher.

Typical preparation

Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed

Education

Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.

Experience

Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Job training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.

Getting in is one thing — the day-to-day runs on a specific set of tools and skills:

Skills employers ask for

From real job postings for this role — click to explore who asks for them.

Source: O*NET 30.0 database (CC BY 4.0).

07 / FAQ

What people ask.

01Will AI replace dishwashers?
Dishwashers score 76 in critical risk, and automation may arrive in 0-2 years. Judgment for sanitation and damage spotting still matters, so complete replacement isn't certain.
02How soon or how fast could that happen for Dishwashers?
Core duties could change within 0-2 years, according to the evidence. Repetitive tasks like loading racks and running wash cycles are particularly exposed. The occupation employs 477450 people and holds a 76-point critical rating.
03What skills keep Dishwashers relevant?
Focus on food safety audit readiness and dish room equipment troubleshooting, as these are high-value skills. Kitchen workflow coordination adds benefit, and the 0-2 year automation window makes such abilities timely. The median annual wage of 34810 and 477450 workers show why these skills matter.
04How does someone become a Dishwasher?
This occupation often expects a high school diploma or GED certificate. Useful starting abilities include Operation and Control, Coordination, and Active Listening, though these are in low demand. With 477450 people employed and a typical annual wage of 34810, entry remains open.
05What related roles could Dishwashers pivot to?
One possible transition is to Fast Food and Counter Workers, whose risk level is 52. That remains below the critical 76 for Dishwashers, and with automation predicted in 0-2 years, such a move may reduce exposure.
06Is Dishwasher a good career to start in 2026?
Starting as a Dishwasher in 2026 carries real uncertainty, as the occupation's automation window is 0-2 years. Projected growth of +0.2% (2024–34) and a median annual wage of 34810 add context to that cautious outlook.
07What tasks are most common for a Dishwasher?
Washing dishes and glassware, placing clean items in storage, and scrubbing floors rank among the usual tasks. The evidence also mentions stocking supplies and maintaining kitchen work areas. With 477450 workers and a critical rating of 76, these duties define the job.