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The differences between dietary assistants and cook/dietary aides can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dietary assistant has an average salary of $28,234, which is higher than the $27,490 average annual salary of a cook/dietary aide.
The top three skills for a dietary assistant include patients, food service and meal trays. The most important skills for a cook/dietary aide are meal service, food handling, and patients.
| Dietary Assistant | Cook/Dietary Aide | |
| Yearly salary | $28,234 | $27,490 |
| Hourly rate | $13.57 | $13.22 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 12,812 | 163,273 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Average age | 37 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
A dietary assistant is in charge of the food preparation of individuals in various settings. Dietary aides, dietary assistants cook food, check the compliance of proper procedure in safety and health measures, and maintain a clean environment in the kitchen. The assistants may work part-time or full-time, and during holidays, weekends, or evenings to accommodate customers. People in this position are expected to have experience in food preparation, strong teamwork, and customer-oriented approaches.
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 assistants and cook/dietary aides have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dietary Assistant | Cook/Dietary Aide | |
| Average salary | $28,234 | $27,490 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $35,000 | Between $21,000 And $34,000 |
| Highest paying City | Everett, 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 assistant and a cook/dietary aide in terms of educational background:
| Dietary Assistant | Cook/Dietary Aide | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dietary assistants' and cook/dietary aides' demographics:
| Dietary Assistant | Cook/Dietary Aide | |
| Average age | 37 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% | Male, 25.9% Female, 74.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | 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% |