First cook vs assistant cook

The differences between first cooks and assistant cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a first cook and an assistant cook. Additionally, an assistant cook has an average salary of $34,244, which is higher than the $34,044 average annual salary of a first cook.

The top three skills for a first cook include cleanliness, patients and food handling. The most important skills for an assistant cook are food handling, kitchen equipment, and dishes.

First cook vs assistant cook overview

	First Cook	Assistant Cook
Yearly salary	$34,044	$34,244
Hourly rate	$16.37	$16.46
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	149,060	190,245
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 37%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

First cook vs assistant cook salary

First cooks and assistant cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	First Cook	Assistant Cook
Average salary	$34,044	$34,244
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $42,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between first cook and assistant cook education

There are a few differences between a first cook and an assistant cook in terms of educational background:

	First Cook	Assistant Cook
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 37%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

First cook vs assistant cook demographics

Here are the differences between first cooks' and assistant cooks' demographics:

	First Cook	Assistant Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8%	Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 9.3% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 8.6% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between first cook and assistant cook duties and responsibilities

First cook example responsibilities.

Maintain all charts and records according to ServSafe and Michigan USDA standards
Provide technical instruction and expert guidance on food preparation to earn culinary arts competitions.
Measure ingredients, using measuring cups and spoons.
Assist in loading and unloading of groceries to vessel.
Cater special menus for people with allergies and special diets.
Do inventory, order groceries, implement company policies and procedures.

Assistant cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Operate stoves, food processors, steamers, slices, ovens.
Ensure ovens and stoves are clean and ready for use.
Train new and current cooks on menu conversion, garnishing, and food presentation.
Prepare and deliver food trays to hospital patients for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Supervise and maintain HACCP standards, training processes for cooks and monitor aspects of contract compliance.

First cook vs assistant cook skills

Common first cook skills

Cleanliness, 33%
Patients, 14%
Food Handling, 8%
Culinary, 7%
Kitchen Equipment, 6%
HACCP, 4%

Common assistant cook skills

Food Handling, 12%
Kitchen Equipment, 11%
Dishes, 9%
Food Service, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Cleanliness, 6%

First Cook vs. similar jobs

First Cook related careers

First Cook related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
First Cook
First Cook vs Assistant Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs