Dishwasher Job Description for a Resume

What does a dishwasher do?

A dishwasher is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing all dishes, utensils, glassware, pots, pans, and kitchen equipment so cooks and servers always have clean items ready during service. They scrape, rinse, load, and operate high-temperature commercial dishwashing machines, hand-wash items that cannot go through the machine, and properly store clean dishware in its designated location.

Beyond washing dishes, the role keeps the kitchen clean and safe. Dishwashers sweep and mop floors, take out trash and recycling, sanitize surfaces and sinks, restock supplies, and follow food-safety and health-code standards. During peak hours they work quickly under pressure to keep the dish pit clear and prevent service slowdowns.

Key responsibilities of a Dishwasher

• Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, and pans by hand and using commercial dish machines
• Scrape, rinse, sort, and load soiled items efficiently during high-volume service
• Operate and monitor commercial dishwashing equipment for correct temperature and sanitization
• Sort, stack, and store clean dishware, utensils, and cookware in proper locations
• Keep the dish pit, sinks, and surrounding work areas clean and organized
• Sweep and mop kitchen floors and sanitize counters, surfaces, and equipment
• Empty trash and recycling and break down boxes to keep walkways clear
• Restock clean dishes, glasses, and supplies for cooks, bartenders, and servers
• Follow food-safety, sanitation, and health-code standards at all times
• Assist cooks and kitchen staff with basic prep, stocking, and cleanup as needed

Resume-ready Dishwasher job description bullet points

Copy any of these, then swap in your own numbers and the tools or systems you used so each bullet shows a result, not just a duty:

• Washed and sanitized 1,000+ dishes, glasses, and utensils per shift using commercial high-temperature dish machines while maintaining health-code standards
• Kept the dish pit clear and fully stocked during peak service, preventing slowdowns for a kitchen serving 200+ covers per night
• Operated and monitored commercial dishwashing equipment, verifying correct wash and rinse temperatures for proper sanitization
• Hand-washed delicate glassware, knives, and oversized cookware that could not be cleaned by machine, reducing breakage and replacement costs
• Sorted, stacked, and restocked clean dishware and utensils so cooks and servers always had clean items ready
• Maintained a clean, stocked, and organized dish station across high-volume shifts in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Swept, mopped, and sanitized kitchen floors, surfaces, and sinks to meet daily sanitation and food-safety requirements
• Emptied trash and recycling and broke down boxes throughout each shift to keep walkways and work areas safe and clear
• Followed all food-safety, sanitation, and hygiene protocols, contributing to consistent passing health inspections
• Assisted cooks with basic food prep, stocking, and end-of-shift cleanup to support smooth kitchen operations
• Worked efficiently under pressure during rushes, balancing speed and cleanliness without sacrificing quality
• Completed opening and closing duties including deep-cleaning equipment, restocking supplies, and breaking down the dish area
• Collaborated with a team of 8+ kitchen staff to maintain a clean, organized, and well-run back-of-house
• Reported low supplies and equipment issues promptly to management to avoid service disruptions

ATS keywords for a Dishwasher resume

Mirror these terms from the job posting where they are true of you, so both the applicant tracking system and the hiring manager see the match:

How to put dishwasher duties on your resume

Turn plain duties into achievements by adding numbers and context. Instead of 'washed dishes,' write how many items or covers you handled per shift, the type of equipment you operated, and the standards you maintained (for example, 'sanitized 1,000+ items per shift on a commercial dish machine while meeting health-code standards'). Lead each bullet with a strong action verb like Washed, Operated, Maintained, Restocked, or Sanitized, and put the result or scale up front.

Tailor your bullets to the specific posting. If the job emphasizes high-volume service, food safety, or teamwork, mirror that language and feature the matching bullets first. Pull keywords from the job description (commercial dish machine, sanitation, back-of-house) so your resume passes ATS screening, and keep every bullet honest and accurate to what you actually did.