Chief cook vs prep cook

The differences between chief cooks and prep cooks 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 prep cook. Additionally, a chief cook has an average salary of $38,867, which is higher than the $32,292 average annual salary of a prep cook.

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

Chief cook vs prep cook overview

	Chief Cook	Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$38,867	$32,292
Hourly rate	$18.69	$15.53
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	159,663	168,265
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Chief cook vs prep cook salary

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

	Chief Cook	Prep Cook
Average salary	$38,867	$32,292
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $51,000	Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Kemps
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between chief cook and prep cook education

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

	Chief Cook	Prep Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Chief cook vs prep cook demographics

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

	Chief Cook	Prep Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 78.6% Female, 21.4%	Male, 61.3% Female, 38.7%
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, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.6% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between chief cook and 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.

Prep cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Provide students with first-rate customer service and ensure correct time-temperature control of culinary dishes.
Learned and become CPR certify for emergencies.
Direct and ensure that HACCP procedures are follow.
Plan menu items as needed for caf or catering.
Earn first aid, CPR, and a certification.

Chief cook vs 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 prep cook skills

Food Handling, 15%
Culinary, 15%
Sanitation Standards, 12%
Kitchen Equipment, 9%
Cleanliness, 7%
Team Work, 7%

Chief Cook vs. similar jobs

Chief Cook related careers

Chief Cook related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Chief Cook
Chief Cook vs Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs