Cook/dishwasher vs fry cook

The differences between cook/dishwashers and fry cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cook/dishwasher has an average salary of $31,703, which is higher than the $30,622 average annual salary of a fry cook.

The top three skills for a cook/dishwasher include wash dishes, customer service and dishwashers. The most important skills for a fry cook are kitchen equipment, customer service, and safety standards.

Cook/dishwasher vs fry cook overview

	Cook/Dishwasher	Fry Cook
Yearly salary	$31,703	$30,622
Hourly rate	$15.24	$14.72
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	133,000	246,323
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	36	38
Years of experience	-	4

What does a cook/dishwasher do?

Cooks/dishwashers must develop kitchen skills to excel in this line of job. Each cook or dishwasher must learn to develop skills in food preparation, sanitation, and customer service. Cooks or dishwashers can be assigned to different areas, either in the kitchen area, food preparation, or in washing dishes. The scope of their responsibilities may include the cooking surface area, specific food items, or menu items. Also, they are expected to maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen, assist in preparing food, and may do any other duties demanded by the chef.

What does a fry cook do?

Generally, a fry cook works in a kitchen specializing in fried foods and operating the deep fryer. Fry cooks or chefs cook food by submerging in boiling oil. They prepare food to be fried, work with frying pans, and watch over deep fryers. The skills they need to establish include food preparation, dexterity, physical stamina, and comprehension. They are also expected to be understanding and patient, noting that these qualities help impress the customers.

Cook/dishwasher vs fry cook salary

Cook/dishwashers and fry cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cook/Dishwasher	Fry Cook
Average salary	$31,703	$30,622
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Tacoma, WA	Fresno, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	New Seasons Market	Anthony
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Hospitality

Differences between cook/dishwasher and fry cook education

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

	Cook/Dishwasher	Fry Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Cook/dishwasher vs fry cook demographics

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

	Cook/Dishwasher	Fry Cook
Average age	36	38
Gender ratio	Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3%	Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 5.9% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	5%	6%

Differences between cook/dishwasher and fry cook duties and responsibilities

Cook/dishwasher example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Cook and prepare sandwiches and entrees throughout the shift, working with slicers, grills, and fryers.
Enter orders into pos system.
Organize groceries as to ensure use before expiration.
Host: open/close shifts, greet and seat tables, run seating board.
Serve food to customers, run the cash register and also buse tables and wash dishes.

Fry cook example responsibilities.

Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
Grill burgers and used the deep fryers for various foods, clean all equipment at the end of the shift.
Bread and cook chicken, fry foods, run and clean fryers, clean coolers, do dishes general utilities.
Job responsibilities include preparing and executing dishes, as well as assuming responsibility for cleanliness of restaurant.
Provide friendly, quality, customer service to each Chipotle customer.

Cook/dishwasher vs fry cook skills

Common cook/dishwasher skills

Wash Dishes, 44%
Customer Service, 12%
Dishwashers, 7%
Prep Food, 6%
Safety Standards, 4%
Kitchen Equipment, 3%

Common fry cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 23%
Customer Service, 11%
Safety Standards, 10%
Deep-Fat Fryers, 9%
Food Products, 5%
Fine Dining, 5%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Cook/Dishwasher
Cook/Dishwasher vs Fry Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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