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The differences between chef/kitchen managers and caterers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chef/kitchen manager has an average salary of $49,415, which is higher than the $28,891 average annual salary of a caterer.
The top three skills for a chef/kitchen manager include kitchen operations, culinary and wine. The most important skills for a caterer are food service, kitchen equipment, and food delivery.
| Chef/Kitchen Manager | Caterer | |
| Yearly salary | $49,415 | $28,891 |
| Hourly rate | $23.76 | $13.89 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 38,242 | 1,648 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A kitchen manager or chef is someone who oversees the overall operations in the kitchen as well as the food operations. Kitchen managers make certain that food and related products are well prepared, cooked, and served to customers. They maintain a fully-stocked kitchen inventory and comply with the cleanliness and safety standards. It is their responsibility to manage the kitchen staff and aid them in delivering quality food at the right time. They need to possess management skills, leadership skills, and attention to detail.
A caterer is responsible for monitoring food preparation and presentation, ensuring the adequacy and accuracy of food stock based on the clients' specifications and guest count. Caterers often work with clients for special occasions and events, identify their needs, including the menu and nutritional requirements. They arrange food services from the dinnerware to choosing the appropriate staff to help with assisting the food preparation in the event's location. A caterer should maintain the highest sanitary standards at all times to guarantee the foods' safety, as well as showcase communication skills when responding to the clients' inquiries and concerns.
Chef/kitchen managers and caterers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chef/Kitchen Manager | Caterer | |
| Average salary | $49,415 | $28,891 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $70,000 | Between $22,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Beverly, MA |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Castilleja School | The College of St. Scholastica |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a chef/kitchen manager and a caterer in terms of educational background:
| Chef/Kitchen Manager | Caterer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between chef/kitchen managers' and caterers' demographics:
| Chef/Kitchen Manager | Caterer | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.9% Female, 20.1% | Male, 43.0% Female, 57.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |