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The differences between dietary aides and cook/dietary aides can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a dietary aide and a cook/dietary aide. Additionally, a dietary aide has an average salary of $28,005, which is higher than the $27,490 average annual salary of a cook/dietary aide.
The top three skills for a dietary aide include patients, meal trays and food service. The most important skills for a cook/dietary aide are meal service, food handling, and patients.
| Dietary Aide | Cook/Dietary Aide | |
| Yearly salary | $28,005 | $27,490 |
| Hourly rate | $13.46 | $13.22 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 44,494 | 163,273 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 50% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A dietary aide is responsible for assisting food preparations and ensuring that the meals adhere to an individual's specific diet plans. Dietary aides must strictly follow sanitation standards and hygiene procedures to guarantee the safety and quality of the service. They also help in facilitating kitchen maintenance, keeping every area clean and organized. Dietary aides must also have comprehensive knowledge of nutritional guidelines to provide information and share suggestions as necessary to improve the service and preparations.
A cook/dietary aide is an individual who works along with the dietary managers, cooks, and dieticians. Dietary aides prepare meals, beverages, and snacks. They set up tables or dining areas with proper order and cleanliness. They serve meals and make sure that the hygiene and safety protocols for food are followed all the time. The skills significant for this job include attention to detail, strong communication skills, excellent customer service, and knowledge in food preparation and its safety protocols.
Dietary aides and cook/dietary aides have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dietary Aide | Cook/Dietary Aide | |
| Average salary | $28,005 | $27,490 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $35,000 | Between $21,000 And $34,000 |
| Highest paying City | Vancouver, WA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Utah |
| Best paying company | Lifespan | Ann Storck Center |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a dietary aide and a cook/dietary aide in terms of educational background:
| Dietary Aide | Cook/Dietary Aide | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 50% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dietary aides' and cook/dietary aides' demographics:
| Dietary Aide | Cook/Dietary Aide | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.2% Female, 71.8% | Male, 25.9% Female, 74.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |