Cook/dietary aide vs cook

The differences between cook/dietary aides and 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 a cook takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a cook has an average salary of $31,803, 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 a cook are food handling, food service, and cleanliness.

Cook/dietary aide vs cook overview

	Cook/Dietary Aide	Cook
Yearly salary	$27,490	$31,803
Hourly rate	$13.22	$15.29
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	163,273	184,818
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	4

What does a cook/dietary aide do?

A cook/dietary aide is an individual who works along with the dietary managers, cooks, and dieticians. Dietary aides prepare meals, beverages, and snacks. They set up tables or dining areas with proper order and cleanliness. They serve meals and make sure that the hygiene and safety protocols for food are followed all the time. The skills significant for this job include attention to detail, strong communication skills, excellent customer service, and knowledge in food preparation and its safety protocols.

What does a cook do?

Cooks are responsible for preparing meals for guests or employers. They must be knowledgeable about the different recipes and ingredients needed. They are also responsible for managing the inventory and ensuring that the pantry is well-stocked. They prepare meals from scratch, cutting ingredients, measuring them, and following recipes. Cooks should be creative, especially when ingredients are lacking, and they must find alternatives that will not compromise the food taste. They should be precise, imaginative, and patient. Cooks should also have good time management skills and decision-making skills.

Cook/dietary aide vs cook salary

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

	Cook/Dietary Aide	Cook
Average salary	$27,490	$31,803
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $34,000	Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Utah	Hawaii
Best paying company	Ann Storck Center	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Government

Differences between cook/dietary aide and cook education

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

	Cook/Dietary Aide	Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Cook/dietary aide vs cook demographics

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

	Cook/Dietary Aide	Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 25.9% Female, 74.1%	Male, 70.2% Female, 29.8%
Race ratio	Black 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, 10.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 8.5% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between cook/dietary aide and 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.

Cook example responsibilities.

Achieve completion to cook, prep and dish meticulous meals to an immense amount of customers with proficient dexterity quality.
Organize production and set up broiler station for lunch shift, manage grill with 30-40 steaks at varying temps and cuts.
Lead cook line and instruct cooks and other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, and presentation of dishes.
Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
Operate large volume cooking equipment such as grills, deep fryers, and griddles.

Cook/dietary aide vs 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 cook skills

Food Handling, 14%
Food Service, 10%
Cleanliness, 10%
Kitchen Equipment, 9%
Basic Math, 7%
Culinary, 6%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Cook/Dietary Aide
Cook/Dietary Aide vs Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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