Camp cook vs head cook

The differences between camp cooks and head cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a camp cook, becoming a head cook takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a head cook has an average salary of $44,412, which is higher than the $32,630 average annual salary of a camp cook.

The top three skills for a camp cook include food preparation, food service and food handling. The most important skills for a head cook are kitchen equipment, meal preparation, and food service.

Camp cook vs head cook overview

	Camp Cook	Head Cook
Yearly salary	$32,630	$44,412
Hourly rate	$15.69	$21.35
Growth rate	16%	15%
Number of jobs	69,991	156,227
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	38	42
Years of experience	2	6

Camp cook vs head cook salary

Camp cooks and head cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Camp Cook	Head Cook
Average salary	$32,630	$44,412
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $32,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	San Antonio, TX
Highest paying state	California	New Jersey
Best paying company	Santa Clara County Office of Education	Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Best paying industry	Education	Manufacturing

Differences between camp cook and head cook education

There are a few differences between a camp cook and a head cook in terms of educational background:

	Camp Cook	Head Cook
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	General Studies	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	Stanford University

Camp cook vs head cook demographics

Here are the differences between camp cooks' and head cooks' demographics:

	Camp Cook	Head Cook
Average age	38	42
Gender ratio	Male, 46.3% Female, 53.7%	Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 10.3% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	9%

Differences between camp cook and head cook duties and responsibilities

Camp cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Work with propane refrigerators, freezer and stoves.
Work remotely in Alaskan bush conducting salmon and otolith surveys, also are the camp cook.
Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Work remotely in Alaskan bush conducting salmon and otolith surveys, also are the camp cook.

Head cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Accommodate all campers and staff with dietary restrictions, food allergies as well as providing vegetarian and vegan options.
Follow all equipment and safety procedures in all operations including slicers, choppers, mixers and other meal processing equipment.
Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Scramble eggs, sausage, potatoes, biscits and gravy.
Create and execute menus for the buffets.

Camp cook vs head cook skills

Common camp cook skills

Food Preparation, 35%
Food Service, 33%
Food Handling, 15%
Clean Kitchen, 5%
Allergies, 3%
Kids, 3%

Common head cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 41%
Meal Preparation, 15%
Food Service, 7%
Food Preparation, 3%
Quality Standards, 3%
Safety Standards, 2%

Camp Cook vs. similar jobs

Camp Cook related careers

Camp Cook related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Camp Cook
Camp Cook vs Head Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs