First cook vs head cook

The differences between first cooks and head cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a first cook, becoming a head cook takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a head cook has an average salary of $44,412, 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 a head cook are kitchen equipment, meal preparation, and food service.

First cook vs head cook overview

	First Cook	Head Cook
Yearly salary	$34,044	$44,412
Hourly rate	$16.37	$21.35
Growth rate	16%	15%
Number of jobs	149,060	156,227
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	38	42
Years of experience	4	6

First cook vs head cook salary

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

	First Cook	Head Cook
Average salary	$34,044	$44,412
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $42,000	Between $32,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City	-	San Antonio, TX
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between first cook and head cook education

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

	First Cook	Head Cook
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	Stanford University

First cook vs head cook demographics

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

	First Cook	Head Cook
Average age	38	42
Gender ratio	Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8%	Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%
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, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 10.3% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	9%

Differences between first cook and head 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.

Head cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Accommodate all campers and staff with dietary restrictions, food allergies as well as providing vegetarian and vegan options.
Follow all equipment and safety procedures in all operations including slicers, choppers, mixers and other meal processing equipment.
Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Scramble eggs, sausage, potatoes, biscits and gravy.
Create and execute menus for the buffets.

First cook vs head cook skills

Common first cook skills

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

Common head cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 41%
Meal Preparation, 15%
Food Service, 7%
Food Preparation, 3%
Quality Standards, 3%
Safety Standards, 2%

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First Cook vs Head Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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