First cook vs line cook, prep cook

The differences between first cooks and line cooks, prep cook 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 a line cook, prep cook. Additionally, a first cook has an average salary of $34,044, which is higher than the $32,982 average annual salary of a line cook, prep cook.

The top three skills for a first cook include cleanliness, patients and food handling. The most important skills for a line cook, prep cook are kitchen equipment, food handling, and culinary.

First cook vs line cook, prep cook overview

	First Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$34,044	$32,982
Hourly rate	$16.37	$15.86
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	149,060	164,756
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

First cook vs line cook, prep cook salary

First cooks and line cooks, prep cook have different pay scales, as shown below.

	First Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average salary	$34,044	$32,982
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $42,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between first cook and line cook, prep cook education

There are a few differences between a first cook and a line cook, prep cook in terms of educational background:

	First Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

First cook vs line cook, prep cook demographics

Here are the differences between first cooks' and line cooks, prep cook' demographics:

	First Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between first cook and line cook, prep 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.

Line cook, prep cook example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Prepare cold foods, operate ovens, stoves, grills, microwaves, and fryers.
Expedite orders while maintaining food being cook in ovens, griddles, stoves and fryers.
Observe and test foods to determine quality and safety by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and fryers.
Set up and break down for any catering parties or buffets.
Cook foods by baking, roasting, broiling, frying, steaming, grilling.

First cook vs line cook, prep cook skills

Common first cook skills

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

Common line cook, prep cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 25%
Food Handling, 11%
Culinary, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Salad Station, 6%
Line Cooks, 6%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
First Cook
First Cook vs Line Cook, Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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