SOC 35-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dishwashers — Alabama
Alabama · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Alabama is $28,930 a year, trailing the national median of $34,810 by 16.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Alabama is $28,930 a year, trailing the national median of $34,810 by 16.9%. Half of workers earn between $25,470 and $31,300. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $21,810 and the ninetieth at $35,840.
The area has 3,540 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.55 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Alabama ranks 44th by median wage. Huntsville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $30,720. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 651st of 690 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,810 | −37.3% |
| 25th | $25,470 | −26.8% |
| Median (50th) | $28,930 | −16.9% |
| 75th | $31,300 | −10.1% |
| 90th | $35,840 | +3.0% |
| Mean | $28,800 | −17.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville | $30,720 | 380 | |
| 2 | Birmingham | $29,790 | 790 | |
| 3 | Decatur | $29,620 | 70 | |
| 4 | Daphne | $29,540 | 340 | |
| 5 | Montgomery | $29,000 | 320 | |
| 6 | Mobile | $28,740 | 310 | |
| 7 | Anniston | $28,400 | 90 | |
| 8 | Auburn | $28,160 | 220 | |
| 9 | Florence | $28,110 | 120 | |
| 10 | Tuscaloosa | $27,900 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $28,930 goes as far as $32,579 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,579US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,930 a year, 16.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,810 to $35,840 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,540 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 44th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Huntsville, at $30,720.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dishwashers in Alabama?
The median annual wage is $28,930, or $13.91 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $34,810, so pay in Alabama is 16.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Alabama earns more than $35,840 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,810 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Huntsville, at $30,720 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,540 jobs in this occupation in Alabama. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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