Cook apprentice vs prep cook/dishwasher

The differences between cook apprentices 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 cook apprentice and a prep cook/dishwasher. Additionally, a cook apprentice has an average salary of $34,707, which is higher than the $31,687 average annual salary of a prep cook/dishwasher.

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

Cook apprentice vs prep cook/dishwasher overview

	Cook Apprentice	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Yearly salary	$34,707	$31,687
Hourly rate	$16.69	$15.23
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	137,414	126,351
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Cook apprentice vs prep cook/dishwasher salary

Cook apprentices and prep cook/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cook Apprentice	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average salary	$34,707	$31,687
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $42,000	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 cook apprentice and prep cook/dishwasher education

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

	Cook Apprentice	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Cook apprentice vs prep cook/dishwasher demographics

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

	Cook Apprentice	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%	Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 8.5% White, 57.0% 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 cook apprentice and prep cook/dishwasher duties and responsibilities

Cook apprentice example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Cook foods by baking, roasting, broiling, frying, saut? ing and grilling.
Operate standard cooking equipment, including grills, ovens and broilers.
Gain cooking methods, including roasting, deep fat frying, broiling, and saut ing.
Cook foods by frying, saut? ing, steaming and grilling.
Acquire cooking skills, saut, grill, salad, breakfast, soups and desserts.

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.

Cook apprentice vs prep cook/dishwasher skills

Common cook apprentice skills

Culinary, 41%
Kitchen Equipment, 29%
Sauces, 11%
Roasting, 5%
La Carte, 4%
Food Quality, 3%

Common prep cook/dishwasher skills

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

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Cook Apprentice
Cook Apprentice vs Prep Cook/Dishwasher

Updated January 8, 2025

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