What does a dishwasher do?
As a dishwasher, your responsibilities will include cleaning and sanitizing dishes, glassware, silverware, pots, and pans. You will also be responsible for some kitchen equipment maintenance. In larger restaurants, it’s possible to find a team of dishwashers who work together to clean everything in a timely manner.
Organizing the dish room
The dish room is where the dishwashing action happens. It's important to maintain a clean and organized workspace. This means keeping the floor clean, wiping down the walls, and sanitizing all surfaces. The dishwasher is also responsible for making sure that the dishwashing supplies get stocked and ready to go.
Loading and unloading the dishwasher
As a dishwasher, your primary responsibility is to ensure that all dishes, glassware, silverware, pots, and pans are clean and sanitized. This is usually done by loading them into the dishwasher and then unloading them once they're cleaned. It is important to follow the proper loading procedures to ensure that all dishes are properly sanitized.
View RolesWhat is the average salary of a dishwasher?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a dishwasher is $27,350. That translates to about $13 an hour. However, salaries will vary depending on the type of restaurant, the size of the kitchen staff, the location, and other factors.
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Kitchen size
The size of the kitchen staff will have a direct impact on the dishwasher's salary. In a small restaurant, you're highly likely to find only one or two dishwashers. In this case, the dishwasher will be responsible for cleaning all of the dishes, which would lead to a higher salary. In a large restaurant, you will likely find a team of dishwashers, each with their own specific responsibilities. In this case, the dishwasher's salary would be lower.
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Experience
As with most jobs, experience will also play a role in how much you earn as a dishwasher. Those with more experience will typically earn higher wages.
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Location
Location is another factor that will affect your salary as a dishwasher. Cities with a higher cost of living, such as New York City or San Francisco, will usually offer higher wages than smaller cities or towns.
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Industry
The type of restaurant you work in will also affect your salary. Fine dining restaurants will typically offer higher wages than fast food or casual dining establishments.
Working as a dishwasher
Working as a dishwasher is usually rewarding to many people. However, it’s also quite challenging. It's important to have a positive attitude and be able to work well under pressure. If you're thinking about becoming a dishwasher, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Dishwasher job description
As a dishwasher, your primary responsibilities will be to clean and sanitize dishes, glassware, silverware, pots, and pans. The types of equipment you clean will largely depend on the type of restaurant that you work in. For instance, if you work in a Chinese restaurant, you will likely be responsible for cleaning woks.
Secondly, you will also be responsible for some kitchen equipment maintenance. This involves cleaning and sanitizing the dishwashing machine, as well as keeping the dish room clean and organized.
Thirdly, you will be responsible for stocking the dishwashing supplies, especially in smaller restaurants.
Lastly, you will be responsible for loading and unloading the dishwasher and keeping an eye on the efficiency of the dishwashing process.
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What type of equipment do dishwashers use?
The most common type of equipment that dishwashers use are dishwashing machines. These come in both automatic and manual varieties. Automatic dishwashing machines are more commonly used in restaurants, as they are faster and often handle larger loads. Manual dishwashing machines are typically used in smaller establishments, such as cafes or bistros. In addition to dishwashing machines, dishwashers will also use a variety of other cleaning supplies, such as sponges, brushes, and detergents.
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What is the work environment of a dishwasher?
Dishwashers typically work in the kitchen of a restaurant. The kitchen is often a hot and humid environment, so it's important to be able to handle the heat. Dishwashers typically work long hours, especially during busy times, such as lunch and dinner rushes. In some cases, dishwashers are also responsible for working overnight shifts. Lastly, it's important that you are able to handle the physical demands of the job, as it involves a lot of standing, bending, and lifting. Since you'll be using chemicals and working with hot water, it's also important to understand the risks and take the necessary precautions.
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Who are your colleagues as a dishwasher?
As a dishwasher, you will typically work with other kitchen staff, one of them being the chef. This professional oversees the entire kitchen operation and is responsible for ensuring that the food is of high quality and gets cooked properly. In addition to the chef, you will also work with other kitchen staff, such as cooks, prep cooks, and servers. The cooks are responsible for preparing the food, while the prep cooks help to prepare the ingredients. The waiters are responsible for taking orders and serving the food. Lastly, where you work will also affect the type of colleagues that you have. For instance, if you work in a small restaurant, chances are you will work with a close-knit team, which could even include the owner of the restaurant.
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What is the work schedule of a dishwasher?
Dishwashers typically work long hours, and, sometimes, the work schedule gets very demanding. This is especially true during busy times, such as lunch and dinner rushes. It's also possible to find yourself working nights, weekends, and holidays. For instance, if you work in a hotel restaurant, you will likely find yourself working early mornings to accommodate the breakfast rush. In some cases, dishwashers are also responsible for cleaning up after large events, such as weddings or banquets. Just remember that the number of hours you work will largely depend on the type of restaurant you work in. For instance, fine dining restaurants tend to stay open later than fast food or casual dining establishments. Also, keep in mind that the busier the restaurant is, the more hours you will likely work.
What is the career outlook for a dishwasher?
The career outlook for a dishwasher is positive. The demand for dishwashers is generally expected to grow in the coming years, as the restaurant industry continues to expand. It's also important to note that in most cases, dishwashers are typically seen as entry-level positions, and there is little room for advancement. However, if you're looking to get into the restaurant industry and have a passion for food, then working as a dishwasher is a great place to start. The demand for dishwashers and the growth of this job will create opportunities for those looking to enter the field, as well as for those who are already working as dishwashers and are looking to advance their careers.
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Boosting your resume
If you're looking to move up in the restaurant industry, then working as a dishwasher is a great way to start. By working as a dishwasher, you get to show potential employers that you have experience in the food industry. Try to use your time as a dishwasher to learn more about the industry and gain valuable experience.
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What are the advantages of working with Spherion as a dishwasher?
If you are actively looking for a job or just checking what's out there, Spherion is an invaluable job search partner. Spherion will help you with your employment search by matching you with a dishwasher job that fits your skills. As one of the leading staffing companies, Spherion has connections with a wide range of businesses. The Spherion team offers plenty of networking opportunities, so you get to find the right office for your work style. Whether you prefer to work with a small family business or a major company, Spherion’s local connections mean you will have options. Working via Spherion offers you a number of advantages, including:
- Getting paid on a weekly basis
- Flexibility
- Offering you a contact person to fall back on and ask for help
- Offering you a lot of training opportunities
- Allowing you to access a range of jobs in your area
- Acting as a personal contact to assist you with your job search
- Offering you training opportunities for gaining more skills
What education do you need as a dishwasher?
Although you don't need a formal education to work as a dishwasher, it's important to have some basic education to be successful in this role. In most cases, dishwashers will need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Dishwasher skills & competencies
One of the most important things for dishwashers is to have good attention to detail. Dishwashers need to be able to clean dishes quickly and efficiently without missing any spots. They also need to be able to keep up with a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks at once. This requires good time management skills and the ability to stay organized. In addition, dishwashers should have good communication skills because they will need to be able to communicate with the kitchen staff. Last but not least, dishwashers need to be physically fit because they will be on their feet for long periods of time and will be lifting heavy objects.
FAQs
While a career as a dishwasher is quite straightforward, there are a few questions that people often have about working as a dishwasher.
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Do dishwashers need to get certified?
Although certification is not required, it will help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs. The certification process instills confidence in an employer that you have the skills needed to excel in the role. When looking at dishwasher certification, consider widely recognized certification in the industry that covers basic food safety and sanitation principles.
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Where do dishwashers work?
Usually, dishwashers work in restaurants. However, they also tend to work in other food service establishments, such as with caterers, in hotels, and in hospitals. On top of these, some of the best-paying places for dishwashers include colleges and universities, office buildings, and religious organizations. Before applying for a job as a dishwasher, make sure to research the different types of establishments to see which one is the best fit for you. Sometimes, the size of the establishment makes a big difference in the job duties and responsibilities.
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How do I apply for a job as a dishwasher?
Applying for a job as a dishwasher is easy with Spherion. All you need to do is search for dishwasher jobs on Spherion.com by job title and location. If you don’t see the perfect role, submit an open application. Once you submit your contact information and resume through Spherion’s open application, a recruiter from the office closest to you will reach out with details about potential dishwasher roles that fit your skill set and professional goals.