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The differences between chefs and line chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a chef and a line chef. Additionally, a chef has an average salary of $46,824, which is higher than the $26,651 average annual salary of a line chef.
The top three skills for a chef include customer service, food handling and culinary. The most important skills for a line chef are kitchen equipment, sanitation standards, and food handling.
| Chef | Line Chef | |
| Yearly salary | $46,824 | $26,651 |
| Hourly rate | $22.51 | $12.81 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 15% |
| Number of jobs | 65,737 | 144,227 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A chef is the master of the kitchen--someone who is creative and innovative with food. Chefs are the pride and reputation of each restaurant or dining establishments. They make sure every meal served is fresh and oversees the kitchen operation. They also create recipes, study menus, and prepare significant-high-quality dishes that represent the restaurant. They say academic requirements aren't needed, but anyone who has a passion for food and cooking can be a chef.
Line Chefs are in charge of cooking or preparing meat, vegetables, soup, and other ingredients according to area guidelines. Their responsibilities include managing and supervising kitchen staff, coordinating with fellow chefs, replenishing supply inventories, and setting-up cooking areas, ensuring adequate and high-quality ingredients. Among their other usual tasks involve cutting vegetables and meat, preparing sauces, and resolving issues should any arise. Moreover, they must maintain their designated area's cleanliness, all while enforcing and adhering to the health and sanitation standards.
Chefs and line chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chef | Line Chef | |
| Average salary | $46,824 | $26,651 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $68,000 | Between $18,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | Chicopee, MA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Bridgewater Associates | Syracuse University |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a chef and a line chef in terms of educational background:
| Chef | Line Chef | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | Drexel University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between chefs' and line chefs' demographics:
| Chef | Line Chef | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.8% Female, 25.2% | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 11.4% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |