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Deli associate vs cook/server

The differences between deli associates and cook/servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cook/server has an average salary of $29,716, which is higher than the $28,360 average annual salary of a deli associate.

The top three skills for a deli associate include food handling, basic math and customer service. The most important skills for a cook/server are customer service, customer orders, and safety standards.

Deli associate vs cook/server overview

Deli AssociateCook/Server
Yearly salary$28,360$29,716
Hourly rate$13.63$14.29
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs117,130257,582
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 52%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

What does a deli associate do?

A deli associate is personnel who works in grocery and deli stores and assists shoppers by responding to their inquiries and requests. He/She updates his/her product displays to ensure that new items and promotions are showcased and follow all food safety and sanitation. Aside from engaging with customers, deli associates must possess the ability to lift heavy objects and operates equipment such as cash registers and meat slicers. Also, deli associates' minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma, but experience in deli counter work is a plus.

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.

Deli associate vs cook/server salary

Deli associates and cook/servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Deli AssociateCook/Server
Average salary$28,360$29,716
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $39,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Bellingham, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-The Harley School
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between deli associate and cook/server education

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

Deli AssociateCook/Server
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Deli associate vs cook/server demographics

Here are the differences between deli associates' and cook/servers' demographics:

Deli AssociateCook/Server
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 37.2% Female, 62.8%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between deli associate and cook/server duties and responsibilities

Deli associate example responsibilities.

  • Open and close deli; schedule work hour coverage; manage and monitor deli cleanliness code; customer service.
  • Serve customers, stock shelves, cook food in fryers, slice deli meat, prepare food trays, close/open department
  • Bag groceries, and help customers out to their vehicles.
  • Pick and pack chosen items and ring them up in the POS system.
  • Train and assist employees in the use of proprietary POS software and hardware.
  • Season help pack groceries and work in the deli department packaging and prepare food for floor.
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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.
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Deli associate vs cook/server skills

Common deli associate skills
  • Food Handling, 24%
  • Basic Math, 17%
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Math, 10%
  • Food Safety, 7%
  • Slicers, 4%
Common cook/server skills
  • Customer Service, 41%
  • Customer Orders, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Food Preparation, 5%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 4%
  • POS, 4%

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