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Dish washer vs cook/dishwasher

The differences between dish washers and cook/dishwashers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cook/dishwasher has an average salary of $31,703, which is higher than the $29,860 average annual salary of a dish washer.

The top three skills for a dish washer include food handling, work ethic and fine dining. The most important skills for a cook/dishwasher are wash dishes, customer service, and dishwashers.

Dish washer vs cook/dishwasher overview

Dish WasherCook/Dishwasher
Yearly salary$29,860$31,703
Hourly rate$14.36$15.24
Growth rate2%16%
Number of jobs37,127133,000
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 58%
Average age3636
Years of experience--

What does a dish washer do?

A dishwasher is responsible for keeping and maintaining a kitchen clean by properly washing, sorting, and stacking the kitchen wares, and setting up dish stations. Though the job requires only minimal work experience and a high school diploma, it is said to be a hard one since it involves strong problem-solving and good communication skills, exceptional time management skills, and the ability to work on extended hours. However, since a dishwasher seldom leaves the kitchen area and does not provide direct service to customers, he/she usually get tips directly if service staff share their tips with them.

What does a cook/dishwasher do?

Cooks/dishwashers must develop kitchen skills to excel in this line of job. Each cook or dishwasher must learn to develop skills in food preparation, sanitation, and customer service. Cooks or dishwashers can be assigned to different areas, either in the kitchen area, food preparation, or in washing dishes. The scope of their responsibilities may include the cooking surface area, specific food items, or menu items. Also, they are expected to maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen, assist in preparing food, and may do any other duties demanded by the chef.

Dish washer vs cook/dishwasher salary

Dish washers and cook/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dish WasherCook/Dishwasher
Average salary$29,860$31,703
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WATacoma, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyRich ProductsNew Seasons Market
Best paying industryHealth CareHospitality

Differences between dish washer and cook/dishwasher education

There are a few differences between a dish washer and a cook/dishwasher in terms of educational background:

Dish WasherCook/Dishwasher
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 58%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Dish washer vs cook/dishwasher demographics

Here are the differences between dish washers' and cook/dishwashers' demographics:

Dish WasherCook/Dishwasher
Average age3636
Gender ratioMale, 81.0% Female, 19.0%Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 5.9% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between dish washer and cook/dishwasher duties and responsibilities

Dish washer example responsibilities.

  • Wash dishes, bus tables, maintain an overall satisfactory restaurant, and help with any customer or team member needs.
  • Keep utensils going to the rightful owners' (cooks, servers, )
  • Stock and restock supplies for the servers and the cooks.
  • Raise and maintain high standards for cleanliness and safety within the DMO team.
  • Receive payment by cash, check, credit cards, vouchers, or automatic debits.
  • Rinse, wash and sort all utensils, glass and tableware, return back to proper location.
  • Show more

Cook/dishwasher example responsibilities.

  • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
  • Cook and prepare sandwiches and entrees throughout the shift, working with slicers, grills, and fryers.
  • Enter orders into pos system.
  • Organize groceries as to ensure use before expiration.
  • Host: open/close shifts, greet and seat tables, run seating board.
  • Serve food to customers, run the cash register and also buse tables and wash dishes.
  • Show more

Dish washer vs cook/dishwasher skills

Common dish washer skills
  • Food Handling, 33%
  • Work Ethic, 21%
  • Fine Dining, 12%
  • Washing Machines, 7%
  • Team Work, 6%
  • Basic Math, 4%
Common cook/dishwasher skills
  • Wash Dishes, 44%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Dishwashers, 7%
  • Prep Food, 6%
  • Safety Standards, 4%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 3%

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