Career Overview
Clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils.
Also Known As
- Busser
- Dishwasher
- Kitchen Steward
- Steward
Alternate Job Titles
- Breakdown Person
- Bus Person
- Busser
- Dish Machine Operator (DMO)
- Dish Person
- Dish Room Worker
- Dish Runner
- Dish Stacker
- Dish Technician (Dish Tech)
- Dishwasher
- Dishwashing Machine Operator (DMO)
- Glass Washer
- Kitchen Cleaner
- Kitchen Helper
- Kitchen Steward
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, or pans, using dishwashers or by hand.
- Maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, or utensils in clean and orderly condition.
- Place clean dishes, utensils, or cooking equipment in storage areas.
- Sweep or scrub floors.
- Stock supplies, such as food or utensils, in serving stations, cupboards, refrigerators, or salad bars.
- Clean or prepare various foods for cooking or serving.
- Sort and remove trash, placing it in designated pickup areas.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Clean and sanitize the dining area, including tables.
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Extent Flexibility
- Near Vision
- Trunk Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
- Information Ordering
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Static Strength
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Stress Tolerance
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Achievement
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Windows
Tools & Equipment
- Automatic dishwashing systems
- Cleaning mops
- Commercial dishwashers
- Commercial glasswashers
- Digital handheld thermometers
- Dish drying racks
- Dish-cleaning brushes
- Drain racks
- Electric pallet lifters
- Funnels
- Handtrucks
- Kitchen trash compactors
- Moving dishwasher belts
- Pot-washing machines
- Power washers
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Standing
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $23,960 |
| Median | $33,670 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $41,600 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 471,670
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $35,270
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $33,800
Food Preparation Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,220
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $32,670
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $34,660
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.