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Cook/server vs fry cook

The differences between cook/servers and fry cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fry cook has an average salary of $30,622, which is higher than the $29,716 average annual salary of a cook/server.

The top three skills for a cook/server include customer service, customer orders and safety standards. The most important skills for a fry cook are kitchen equipment, customer service, and safety standards.

Cook/server vs fry cook overview

Cook/ServerFry Cook
Yearly salary$29,716$30,622
Hourly rate$14.29$14.72
Growth rate14%16%
Number of jobs257,582246,323
Job satisfaction44
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age2338
Years of experience-4

What does a cook/server do?

Cooks/servers are employees who take on the dual role of being a cook and a server in the restaurant. They are usually trained cooks who are in charge of preparing meals for the guests. They prepare ingredients, cook them according to the recipe, and serve them to guests. They are responsible for ensuring that the food is prepared and served to guests within the promised time. They are in charge of managing the pantry, ensuring that the stock is fresh, and checking whether the stock is low. They are expected to have culinary skills, precision, and time management skills.

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/server vs fry cook salary

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

Cook/ServerFry Cook
Average salary$29,716$30,622
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityBellingham, WAFresno, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyThe Harley SchoolAnthony
Best paying industryRetailHospitality

Differences between cook/server and fry cook education

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

Cook/ServerFry Cook
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorBusinessCulinary Arts
Most common college--

Cook/server vs fry cook demographics

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

Cook/ServerFry Cook
Average age2338
Gender ratioMale, 45.9% Female, 54.1%Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage8%6%

Differences between cook/server and fry cook duties and responsibilities

Cook/server example responsibilities.

  • Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
  • Assist customers, bag groceries, replenish carts, and clean store.
  • Pay close attention to detail while multitasking between communicating over the intercom, utilizing the POS, and order placing.
  • Make smoothies, coffee, customer service, cashier, fill bakery cooler, inventory, stock, and clean!
  • Operate the filtration system used for the fryers to keep all sanitation guidelines up to standards as per the health department.
  • Operate, and maintain clean and safe cooking equipment like pressure cooker deep fryers, plate grills, and deep fryers.
    • Show more

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/server vs fry cook skills

Common cook/server skills
  • Customer Service, 41%
  • Customer Orders, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Food Preparation, 5%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 4%
  • POS, 4%
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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Updated January 8, 2025

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