Post job

Assistant cook vs assistant chef

The differences between assistant cooks and assistant chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an assistant cook, becoming an assistant chef takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an assistant chef has an average salary of $37,670, which is higher than the $34,244 average annual salary of an assistant cook.

The top three skills for an assistant cook include food handling, kitchen equipment and dishes. The most important skills for an assistant chef are kitchen equipment, safety standards, and culinary.

Assistant cook vs assistant chef overview

Assistant CookAssistant Chef
Yearly salary$34,244$37,670
Hourly rate$16.46$18.11
Growth rate16%15%
Number of jobs190,24518,054
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Associate Degree, 32%
Average age3842
Years of experience46

Assistant cook vs assistant chef salary

Assistant cooks and assistant chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant CookAssistant Chef
Average salary$34,244$37,670
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $43,000Between $22,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAAtlantic City, NJ
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyNcar - The National Center For Atmospheric Research
Best paying industryHospitalityHospitality

Differences between assistant cook and assistant chef education

There are a few differences between an assistant cook and an assistant chef in terms of educational background:

Assistant CookAssistant Chef
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Associate Degree, 32%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common college-Stanford University

Assistant cook vs assistant chef demographics

Here are the differences between assistant cooks' and assistant chefs' demographics:

Assistant CookAssistant Chef
Average age3842
Gender ratioMale, 45.5% Female, 54.5%Male, 71.4% Female, 28.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 8.6% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 11.0% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%9%

Differences between assistant cook and assistant chef duties and responsibilities

Assistant cook example responsibilities.

  • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
  • Operate stoves, food processors, steamers, slices, ovens.
  • Ensure ovens and stoves are clean and ready for use.
  • Train new and current cooks on menu conversion, garnishing, and food presentation.
  • Prepare and deliver food trays to hospital patients for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Supervise and maintain HACCP standards, training processes for cooks and monitor aspects of contract compliance.
  • Show more

Assistant chef example responsibilities.

  • Direct daily activity of staff (prep cook, dishwashers and wait staff), and receive and manage inventory.
  • Manage food inventory and assist chefs with menu development.
  • Attain a broad knowledge of ingredient functionality in diverse culinary applications and comfort in a culinary setting.
  • Learned the cuisine and intricacies of Tuscan style cooking as well as the influences from other regions.
  • Prep vegetables and meat for chefs, wash and dry dishes, cups, and utensils, and stock new shipments.
  • Maintain cleanliness and ensure proper preparation of orders.
  • Show more

Assistant cook vs assistant chef skills

Common assistant cook skills
  • Food Handling, 12%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 11%
  • Dishes, 9%
  • Food Service, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
Common assistant chef skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 14%
  • Safety Standards, 13%
  • Culinary, 12%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Compassion, 7%
  • Kitchen Sanitation, 6%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs