Dishwasher salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
Dishwashers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median of $36,440 a year ($17.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,760 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $34,810. Pay here is 2% higher than the Maine statewide median of $35,620. There are 5.3 dishwashers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dishwashers in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,690 | $15.24 |
| 25th percentile | $34,260 | $16.47 |
| Median | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| 75th percentile | $40,170 | $19.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Average (mean) | $37,670 | $18.11 |
Half of dishwashers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,036.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,518.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,401.54 |
| Weekly | $700.77 |
| Hourly | $17.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maine at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dishwasher salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $34,920 | 170 |
| Bangor, ME | $34,490 | 300 |
Highest-paying states for dishwashers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,080 |
| District of Columbia | $38,670 |
| California | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $37,840 |
| Hawaii | $37,740 |
| Massachusetts | $37,190 |
| Illinois | $36,180 |
| Oregon | $36,040 |
| Vermont | $36,010 |
| New Jersey | $35,900 |
See Dishwasher pay in every state or the Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Bartender | $54,170 | $26.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,000 | $22.60 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,200 | $17.89 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Portland-South Portland, ME
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dishwasher make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median salary for dishwashers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $36,440 a year, or $17.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dishwashers make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The top 10% of dishwashers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn at least $44,760 a year. The top 25% earn $40,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for dishwashers in Portland-South Portland, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,690 a year, and a quarter of dishwashers earn $34,260 or less.
How many dishwashers work in Portland-South Portland, ME?
About 1,540 dishwashers are employed in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.