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Fast food server vs food preparer

The differences between fast food servers and food preparers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fast food server has an average salary of $30,266, which is higher than the $27,717 average annual salary of a food preparer.

The top three skills for a fast food server include cleanliness, food orders and food handling. The most important skills for a food preparer are food handling, work ethic, and food products.

Fast food server vs food preparer overview

Fast Food ServerFood Preparer
Yearly salary$30,266$27,717
Hourly rate$14.55$13.33
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs182,816134,113
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

Fast food server vs food preparer salary

Fast food servers and food preparers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fast Food ServerFood Preparer
Average salary$30,266$27,717
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $38,000Between $20,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Commack, NY
Highest paying state-New Hampshire
Best paying company-Mount Sinai Health System
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between fast food server and food preparer education

There are a few differences between a fast food server and a food preparer in terms of educational background:

Fast Food ServerFood Preparer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Fast food server vs food preparer demographics

Here are the differences between fast food servers' and food preparers' demographics:

Fast Food ServerFood Preparer
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 45.4% Female, 54.6%Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%
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 fast food server and food preparer duties and responsibilities

Fast food server example responsibilities.

  • Describe menu items and daily specials in detail and provide recommendations including wine pairing options.
  • Preform equipment maintenance to ensure proper tolerances for precise mowing conditions.

Food preparer example responsibilities.

  • Maintain cleanliness, organization and time management of order preparation, customer service
  • Follow closing procedures and maintain cleanliness of food preparation area and bathrooms.
  • Operate on a POS system, and would prep and serve food.
  • Clean fryers daily, closing shop with overhaul of cleaning routines and stocking freezers.
  • Operate a variety of commercial cooking equipment including grills, deep fryers, and ovens.
  • Clean and sanitize workstations, utensils and equipment according to sanitation guidelines.
  • Show more

Fast food server vs food preparer skills

Common fast food server skills
  • Cleanliness, 33%
  • Food Orders, 24%
  • Food Handling, 9%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Drive-Thru, 7%
  • Customer Complaints, 5%
Common food preparer skills
  • Food Handling, 20%
  • Work Ethic, 13%
  • Food Products, 11%
  • Kitchen Utensils, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%

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