Will AI replace dishwashers?AI replacement risk 20% and how the work is changing

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$34,810

25th–75th pct. $29,690–$37,440

Top pay (est.)

$55,700

Top 10% $42,860

Pay in 5 years

$40,300est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$46,700est.

$40,100–$54,200

Outlook score

43/100

★★☆☆☆ Below average

AI replacement risk

20%

Very low

Job growth (10 yr)

−1.0%

69K openings / yr

Will AI replace Dishwashers? AI replacement risk

20%

Very low

Ranked #123 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations

Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Dishwashers

Key skills

Coordination

2.0

Service Orientation

2.0

Troubleshooting

2.0

Quality Control Analysis

2.0

Operations Monitoring

2.0

Equipment Maintenance

2.0

Operation and Control

2.0

Social Perceptiveness

2.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

English Language

2.6

Education and Training

2.4

Food Production

1.9

Public Safety and Security

1.9

Customer and Personal Service

1.8

Administration and Management

1.5

Chemistry

1.3

Communications and Media

1.1

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesAssisting and Caring for OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving Problems

Important abilities

Manual DexterityExtent FlexibilityTrunk StrengthArm-Hand SteadinessStatic StrengthMultilimb Coordination

Education of workers

High school diploma

56%

Less than high school

43%

Training before entry

None / short demo

51%

Up to 1 month

45%

1–3 months

Related work experience

None

44%

Up to 1 month

28%

6–12 months

14%

3–6 months

12%

1–3 months

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Fast Food and Counter Workers Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages.	$31,200	57/100	30%
2	Waiters and Waitresses Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.	$35,230	50/100	18%
3	Cooks, Restaurant Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants.	$37,390	65/100	19%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.	$44,080	60/100	30%
5	Food Preparation Workers Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.	$35,320	42/100	30%
6	Bartenders Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.	$34,340	58/100	20%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.