Prevailing Wage for Dishwashers
Prevailing wage requirements for Dishwashers (SOC 35-9021) apply to any sponsored position, whether the employer calls the role a Busser, Dish Machine Operator (DMO), or Dish Room Worker. DOL sets four experience-based wage levels for this occupation, and the floor varies significantly by worksite city, so the same position can carry very different minimums depending on location.
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Entry-level dishwashers with no prior commercial kitchen experience and minimal job-specific training. Workers at this level follow direct supervision, handle basic dish machine operation, and are still developing speed and station awareness. Most employers file first-time hires here.
Qualified dishwashers with some commercial kitchen experience who can work with limited supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation, covering workers who reliably manage dish volume, chemical handling, and basic sanitation protocols without constant direction.
Experienced workers who take on broader kitchen support duties, train new staff, or manage dish room output during high-volume service periods. These workers operate with significant independence and may hold informal lead responsibilities within the dish station.
Fully competent dishwashers in senior or lead roles, often in high-volume hotel, resort, or large-scale food service settings. Workers at this level may oversee equipment maintenance schedules, coordinate with kitchen supervisors, and carry responsibility for dish room staffing during service.
Prevailing Wage for Dishwashers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Dishwashers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Know how hotel and resort employers classify this role
Large hotel and resort employers often file Dish Runner or Kitchen Helper titles under SOC 35-9021 but may structure the position at Level 1 even for workers with prior commercial experience. Verify that your experience aligns with the filed level before accepting an offer.
Watch for low-wage metro traps in Puerto Rico postings
Prevailing wages in metros like Aguadilla and Arecibo can be significantly below the national median for this occupation. If a sponsored posting lists a Puerto Rico worksite, confirm the site-specific wage floor before comparing it to mainland offers.
Check employer sponsorship history for Dishwashers on Migrate Mate
Some employers list this role under alias titles like Dish Technician or Busser across different filings. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored workers in this occupation, so you can identify who has actually filed before.
Confirm the worksite city matches your actual work location
Prevailing wage is tied to the worksite listed on the LCA, not the employer's headquarters. A dishwasher hired by a restaurant group based in a low-wage city but assigned to a San Jose or San Francisco location must meet that metro's higher wage floor.
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Find Jobs for DishwashersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 35-9021.00 alongside Dishwashers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Busser Prevailing Wage
Busser Prevailing Wage
Busser positions fall under SOC 35-9021.00 (Dishwashers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Dish Machine Operator (DMO) Prevailing Wage
Dish Machine Operator (DMO) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Dish Machine Operator (DMO) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 35-9021.00 (Dishwashers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Dish Room Worker Prevailing Wage
Dish Room Worker Prevailing Wage
Dish Room Worker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 35-9021.00 (Dishwashers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Dish Runner Prevailing Wage
Dish Runner Prevailing Wage
Dish Runner positions fall under SOC 35-9021.00 (Dishwashers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Dish Technician (Dish Tech) Prevailing Wage
Dish Technician (Dish Tech) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Dish Technician (Dish Tech) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 35-9021.00 (Dishwashers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Kitchen Helper Prevailing Wage
Kitchen Helper Prevailing Wage
Kitchen Helper is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 35-9021.00 (Dishwashers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Kitchen Steward Prevailing Wage
Kitchen Steward Prevailing Wage
Kitchen Steward positions fall under SOC 35-9021.00 (Dishwashers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Steward Prevailing Wage
Steward Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Steward for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 35-9021.00 (Dishwashers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Utility Worker Prevailing Wage
Utility Worker Prevailing Wage
Utility Worker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 35-9021.00 (Dishwashers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Dishwashers?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for Dishwashers using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The OFLC publishes these figures by metro area and assigns them to SOC 35-9021. Employers sponsoring a worker in this occupation must offer at least the wage corresponding to the correct experience level for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
The four levels reflect experience and supervision. Level 1 covers entry-level workers with no prior commercial kitchen background. Level 2 applies to workers with some experience who need limited supervision. Level 3 covers experienced workers who may train others or lead a station. Level 4 applies to senior workers in complex or high-volume settings. Your employer determines the level, but it must match your actual duties and experience as defined by OFLC guidelines.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Dishwashers role differ so much by city?
DOL uses regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, which capture local labor market conditions. High-cost metros like San Jose and San Francisco have tighter labor markets and higher baseline wages for kitchen workers, pushing the floor up. The LCA must list the actual worksite, so the wage floor follows the job location, not the employer's headquarters. OFLC publishes metro-level figures for all 391 covered areas under this SOC.
What happens if a sponsored job offer is below the prevailing wage for Dishwashers?
An employer cannot certify an LCA with an offered wage below the DOL prevailing wage for the worksite and level. If the offer falls short, OFLC will not certify the LCA, which blocks the visa petition from moving forward. For green card cases filed under PERM, a wage below the prevailing wage is grounds for denial. USCIS also reviews wage compliance during H-1B and other sponsored petition adjudications.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Dishwashers in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 35-9021 in the metro area where the job is located. Select the correct wage year, enter the occupation code or title, and filter by the worksite area. If you want to see which employers have sponsored this role in specific cities, Migrate Mate lets you filter by location and view employer sponsorship history for Dishwashers positions.
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