Dishwashers
Machines can already do 25% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 68%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Dishwashers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 25% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 68% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 477,450 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $34,810 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 62% for contact with people.
- Also called: Busser, Dish Machine Operator (DMO), Dish Room Worker, Dish Runner.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, or pans, using dishwashers or by hand | 48% | 30% to 75% | |
| Maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, or utensils in clean and orderly condition | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Place clean dishes, utensils, or cooking equipment in storage areas | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Sweep or scrub floors | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Sort and remove trash, placing it in designated pickup areas | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Stock supplies, such as food or utensils, in serving stations, cupboards, refrigerators, or salad bars | 3% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean or prepare various foods for cooking or serving | 3% | 20% to 60% | |
| Transfer supplies or equipment between storage and work areas, by hand or using hand trucks | 3% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills dishwashers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $34,890
- Food Preparation Workers61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,320
- Rock Splitters, Quarry52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $48,740
- Sewers, Hand59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $36,480
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Dishwashers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of dishwashers?
Machines can do 25% of the tasks of dishwashers today and 68% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 35-9021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Dishwashers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/dishwashers/