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The differences between executive chefs and assistant chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an executive chef and an assistant chef. Additionally, an executive chef has an average salary of $59,416, which is higher than the $37,670 average annual salary of an assistant chef.
The top three skills for an executive chef include culinary, food preparation and customer service. The most important skills for an assistant chef are kitchen equipment, safety standards, and culinary.
| Executive Chef | Assistant Chef | |
| Yearly salary | $59,416 | $37,670 |
| Hourly rate | $28.57 | $18.11 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 15% |
| Number of jobs | 83,085 | 18,054 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Executive chefs are considered the lead chefs in a restaurant. They manage the restaurant's kitchen, including all other chefs employed by the restaurant. Executive chefs are in charge of creating menu items and ensuring that the restaurant's menu is in line with the restaurant's identity. They handle the management of the pantry and ensure that it is well-stocked. They also ensure that all kitchen equipment and fixtures are working well. Executive chefs are responsible for training new chefs on the job to ensure consistent food quality.
It is the responsibility of an assistant chef to support the head chef of a catering business, restaurant, cafeteria, or bakery. Assistant chefs manage inventory and ensure compliance with food safety and kitchen cleanliness standards. They assist kitchen staff in the preparation of food. To get this job, one must be trained in a culinary school, have the needed cooking skills, and must have kitchen work experience. Strong teamwork ability and flexibility to work schedule are necessary for this job.
Executive chefs and assistant chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Executive Chef | Assistant Chef | |
| Average salary | $59,416 | $37,670 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $87,000 | Between $22,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Atlantic City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Bridgewater Associates | Ncar - The National Center For Atmospheric Research |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between an executive chef and an assistant chef in terms of educational background:
| Executive Chef | Assistant Chef | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | Drexel University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between executive chefs' and assistant chefs' demographics:
| Executive Chef | Assistant Chef | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 71.4% Female, 28.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.8% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 11.0% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |