Cook/dishwasher vs short order cook

The differences between cook/dishwashers and short order 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 $30,734 average annual salary of a short order cook.

The top three skills for a cook/dishwasher include wash dishes, customer service and dishwashers. The most important skills for a short order cook are food handling, customer service, and food preparation equipment.

Cook/dishwasher vs short order cook overview

	Cook/Dishwasher	Short Order Cook
Yearly salary	$31,703	$30,734
Hourly rate	$15.24	$14.78
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	133,000	176,187
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 43%
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 short order cook do?

A short-order cook takes responsibility for preparing foods in cafes and restaurants. Usually, they fry eggs, cook fries, and prepare sandwiches. Short order cooks work alongside line chefs in the foodservice market. Their manner of preparing food is quick, easy, and simple. They plan and handle work orders ensuring that all orders are complete and served on time. Strong communication, customer service, a good sense of taste, and the ability to work efficiently are necessary requirements for the job.

Cook/dishwasher vs short order cook salary

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

	Cook/Dishwasher	Short Order Cook
Average salary	$31,703	$30,734
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Tacoma, WA	Anaheim, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	New Seasons Market	Columbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Health Care

Differences between cook/dishwasher and short order cook education

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

	Cook/Dishwasher	Short Order Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Business	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Cook/dishwasher vs short order cook demographics

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

	Cook/Dishwasher	Short Order Cook
Average age	36	38
Gender ratio	Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3%	Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 8.1% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	5%	6%

Differences between cook/dishwasher and short order 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.

Short order cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Ensure that ovens and stoves remain at appropriate temperatures.
Clean kitchen including wiping down grills, slicers and deep-frying equipment.
Develop teamwork skills with cooks, dishwashers and wait staff, through efficient clean up and preparation of food.
Prepare guest food orders as they are either transmit via the POS system or orally convey at the counter.
Cook foods on the grill station, oven, barbecue grill, deep fryers, and other industrial cooking apparatus.

Cook/dishwasher vs short order cook skills

Common cook/dishwasher skills

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

Common short order cook skills

Food Handling, 20%
Customer Service, 14%
Food Preparation Equipment, 11%
Kitchen Equipment, 9%
Food Service, 7%
Safety Standards, 7%

Cook/Dishwasher vs. similar jobs

Cook/Dishwasher related careers

Cook/Dishwasher related jobs

Cook/Dishwasher jobs by location

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Cook/Dishwasher
Cook/Dishwasher vs Short Order Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs