Chief cook vs line cook, prep cook

The differences between chief cooks and line cooks, prep cook can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a chief cook and a line cook, prep cook. Additionally, a chief cook has an average salary of $38,867, which is higher than the $32,982 average annual salary of a line cook, prep cook.

The top three skills for a chief cook include meal preparation, kitchen equipment and cleanliness. The most important skills for a line cook, prep cook are kitchen equipment, food handling, and culinary.

Chief cook vs line cook, prep cook overview

	Chief Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$38,867	$32,982
Hourly rate	$18.69	$15.86
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	159,663	164,756
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Chief cook vs line cook, prep cook salary

Chief cooks and line cooks, prep cook have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Chief Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average salary	$38,867	$32,982
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $51,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between chief cook and line cook, prep cook education

There are a few differences between a chief cook and a line cook, prep cook in terms of educational background:

	Chief Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Chief cook vs line cook, prep cook demographics

Here are the differences between chief cooks' and line cooks, prep cook' demographics:

	Chief Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 78.6% Female, 21.4%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 9.0% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between chief cook and line cook, prep cook duties and responsibilities

Chief cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Demand cleanliness of galley and equipment while assisting in meal planning and inventory management.
Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Operate commercial dishwasher and ensure kitchen area are clean and sanitary at all times, catering to following shift crew members.
Display leadership abilities and responsibility by training new employees.

Line cook, prep cook example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Prepare cold foods, operate ovens, stoves, grills, microwaves, and fryers.
Expedite orders while maintaining food being cook in ovens, griddles, stoves and fryers.
Observe and test foods to determine quality and safety by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and fryers.
Set up and break down for any catering parties or buffets.
Cook foods by baking, roasting, broiling, frying, steaming, grilling.

Chief cook vs line cook, prep cook skills

Common chief cook skills

Meal Preparation, 21%
Kitchen Equipment, 17%
Cleanliness, 13%
Food Safety, 12%
Food Handling, 8%
Menu Planning, 6%

Common line cook, prep cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 25%
Food Handling, 11%
Culinary, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Salad Station, 6%
Line Cooks, 6%

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Chief Cook
Chief Cook vs Line Cook, Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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