Cook vs line cook, prep cook

The differences between cooks and line cooks, prep cook 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 and a line cook, prep cook. Additionally, a line cook, prep cook has an average salary of $32,982, which is higher than the $31,803 average annual salary of a cook.

The top three skills for a cook include food handling, food service and cleanliness. The most important skills for a line cook, prep cook are kitchen equipment, food handling, and culinary.

Cook vs line cook, prep cook overview

	Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$31,803	$32,982
Hourly rate	$15.29	$15.86
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	184,818	164,756
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

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.

What does a line cook, prep cook do?

A line cook/prep cook is responsible for assisting with food preparations, ensuring that all ingredients are readily available and stored safely. Line cook/prep cook tasks also include reviewing and updating menus to keep the customers' patronization. Their duties also include researching the current food industry trends, managing customers' inquiries, resolving serving complaints, monitoring food supplies and inventories, and complying with sanitary regulations. A line cook/prep cook must have excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills to perform various tasks under strict time demands and a fast-paced environment.

Cook vs line cook, prep cook salary

Cooks and line cooks, prep cook have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average salary	$31,803	$32,982
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Washington
Best paying company	University of California, Berkeley	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN
Best paying industry	Government	Retail

Differences between cook and line cook, prep cook education

There are a few differences between a cook and a line cook, prep cook in terms of educational background:

	Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Cook vs line cook, prep cook demographics

Here are the differences between cooks' and line cooks, prep cook' demographics:

	Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 70.2% Female, 29.8%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between cook and line cook, prep cook duties and responsibilities

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.

Line cook, prep cook example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Prepare cold foods, operate ovens, stoves, grills, microwaves, and fryers.
Expedite orders while maintaining food being cook in ovens, griddles, stoves and fryers.
Observe and test foods to determine quality and safety by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and fryers.
Set up and break down for any catering parties or buffets.
Cook foods by baking, roasting, broiling, frying, steaming, grilling.

Cook vs line cook, prep cook skills

Common cook skills

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

Common line cook, prep cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 25%
Food Handling, 11%
Culinary, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Salad Station, 6%
Line Cooks, 6%

Cook vs. similar jobs

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Cook jobs by location

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Cook vs Line Cook, Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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