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Cooking instructor vs prep cook/dishwasher

The differences between cooking instructors and prep cook/dishwashers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a cooking instructor and a prep cook/dishwasher. Additionally, a cooking instructor has an average salary of $87,520, which is higher than the $31,687 average annual salary of a prep cook/dishwasher.

The top three skills for a cooking instructor include kids, culinary and nutrition education. The most important skills for a prep cook/dishwasher are wash dishes, food preparation equipment, and dishwashers.

Cooking instructor vs prep cook/dishwasher overview

Cooking InstructorPrep Cook/Dishwasher
Yearly salary$87,520$31,687
Hourly rate$42.08$15.23
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs25,094126,351
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%High School Diploma, 57%
Average age3838
Years of experience44

Cooking instructor vs prep cook/dishwasher salary

Cooking instructors and prep cook/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cooking InstructorPrep Cook/Dishwasher
Average salary$87,520$31,687
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $207,000Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyH-E-BSeattle Seahawks
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between cooking instructor and prep cook/dishwasher education

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

Cooking InstructorPrep Cook/Dishwasher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%High School Diploma, 57%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common college--

Cooking instructor vs prep cook/dishwasher demographics

Here are the differences between cooking instructors' and prep cook/dishwashers' demographics:

Cooking InstructorPrep Cook/Dishwasher
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 25.4% Female, 74.6%Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.8% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between cooking instructor and prep cook/dishwasher duties and responsibilities

Cooking instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and mentor the college caf team including training of new employees, students, and interns.
  • Plan recipes, shop for groceries, gather materials for cooking.
  • Research and develop menus of Thai, Moroccan, Greek and Turkish cuisines.
  • Expedite and delegate kitchen tasks to students to ensure dishes are prepared within allot class time while teaching basic culinary skills
  • Provide culinary services for special events at the community center
  • Examine injure persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
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Prep cook/dishwasher example responsibilities.

  • Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
  • Operate many kitchen appliances and machines including fryers, grinders, food processors, mixers, and slicers.
  • Perform basic cooking duties such as operate fryers as well as assist cooks in any way need with entrees.
  • Receive, prepare and plate orders using commercial grills, fryers, ovens and stoves in a quick and consistent manner.
  • Prep food items and refrigerate appropriately, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, wash all dishes associate with the daily operations
  • Operate a dishwasher for a hospital cafeteria.
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Cooking instructor vs prep cook/dishwasher skills

Common cooking instructor skills
  • Kids, 39%
  • Culinary, 22%
  • Nutrition Education, 18%
  • Healthy Food, 8%
  • Food Preparation, 3%
  • Food Safety, 3%
Common prep cook/dishwasher skills
  • Wash Dishes, 42%
  • Food Preparation Equipment, 10%
  • Dishwashers, 8%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 4%
  • Cooking Equipment, 3%
  • Line Cooks, 3%

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