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Cook/dietary aide vs assistant cook

The differences between cook/dietary aides and assistant cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a cook/dietary aide, becoming an assistant cook takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an assistant cook has an average salary of $34,244, which is higher than the $27,490 average annual salary of a cook/dietary aide.

The top three skills for a cook/dietary aide include meal service, food handling and patients. The most important skills for an assistant cook are food handling, kitchen equipment, and dishes.

Cook/dietary aide vs assistant cook overview

Cook/Dietary AideAssistant Cook
Yearly salary$27,490$34,244
Hourly rate$13.22$16.46
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs163,273190,245
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 37%
Average age3838
Years of experience24

Cook/dietary aide vs assistant cook salary

Cook/dietary aides and assistant cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cook/Dietary AideAssistant Cook
Average salary$27,490$34,244
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $34,000Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateUtahCalifornia
Best paying companyAnn Storck CenterUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryHospitalityHospitality

Differences between cook/dietary aide and assistant cook education

There are a few differences between a cook/dietary aide and an assistant cook in terms of educational background:

Cook/Dietary AideAssistant Cook
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 37%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common college--

Cook/dietary aide vs assistant cook demographics

Here are the differences between cook/dietary aides' and assistant cooks' demographics:

Cook/Dietary AideAssistant Cook
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 25.9% Female, 74.1%Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 8.6% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between cook/dietary aide and assistant cook duties and responsibilities

Cook/dietary aide example responsibilities.

  • Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
  • Maintain kitchen cleanliness and quality standards base on federal guidelines for license long-term care facilities.
  • Assist residents with menus, questions, complaints and concerns, with compassion.
  • Cook with close attention to dietary concerns, including allergies, diabetes, and kosher diets.
  • Inventory and restocking, cleaning, communicating with healthcare professionals about dietary needs (such as allergies )
  • Clean and operate ovens, grills, vats, boilers, tilt skillets, meat slicers, mixers and stovetops.
    • Show more

Assistant cook example responsibilities.

  • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
  • Operate stoves, food processors, steamers, slices, ovens.
  • Ensure ovens and stoves are clean and ready for use.
  • Train new and current cooks on menu conversion, garnishing, and food presentation.
  • Prepare and deliver food trays to hospital patients for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Supervise and maintain HACCP standards, training processes for cooks and monitor aspects of contract compliance.
    • Show more

Cook/dietary aide vs assistant cook skills

Common cook/dietary aide skills
  • Meal Service, 17%
  • Food Handling, 15%
  • Patients, 14%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 9%
  • Food Service, 9%
  • Diet Orders, 7%
Common assistant cook skills
  • Food Handling, 12%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 11%
  • Dishes, 9%
  • Food Service, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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