Chief cook vs prep cook/dishwasher

The differences between chief cooks and prep cook/dishwashers 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/dishwasher. Additionally, a chief cook has an average salary of $38,867, which is higher than the $31,687 average annual salary of a prep cook/dishwasher.

The top three skills for a chief cook include meal preparation, kitchen equipment and cleanliness. The most important skills for a prep cook/dishwasher are wash dishes, food preparation equipment, and dishwashers.

Chief cook vs prep cook/dishwasher overview

	Chief Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Yearly salary	$38,867	$31,687
Hourly rate	$18.69	$15.23
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	159,663	126,351
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Chief cook vs prep cook/dishwasher salary

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

	Chief Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average salary	$38,867	$31,687
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $51,000	Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Seattle Seahawks
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between chief cook and prep cook/dishwasher education

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

	Chief Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Chief cook vs prep cook/dishwasher demographics

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

	Chief Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 78.6% Female, 21.4%	Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%
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, 8.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between chief cook and prep cook/dishwasher 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/dishwasher example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Operate many kitchen appliances and machines including fryers, grinders, food processors, mixers, and slicers.
Perform basic cooking duties such as operate fryers as well as assist cooks in any way need with entrees.
Receive, prepare and plate orders using commercial grills, fryers, ovens and stoves in a quick and consistent manner.
Prep food items and refrigerate appropriately, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, wash all dishes associate with the daily operations
Operate a dishwasher for a hospital cafeteria.

Chief cook vs prep cook/dishwasher 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/dishwasher skills

Wash Dishes, 42%
Food Preparation Equipment, 10%
Dishwashers, 8%
Kitchen Equipment, 4%
Cooking Equipment, 3%
Line Cooks, 3%

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/Dishwasher

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs