First cook vs prep cook

The differences between first cooks and prep 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 a prep cook. Additionally, a first cook has an average salary of $34,044, which is higher than the $32,292 average annual salary of a prep cook.

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

First cook vs prep cook overview

	First Cook	Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$34,044	$32,292
Hourly rate	$16.37	$15.53
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	149,060	168,265
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

First cook vs prep cook salary

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

	First Cook	Prep Cook
Average salary	$34,044	$32,292
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $42,000	Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Kemps
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between first cook and prep cook education

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

	First Cook	Prep Cook
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

First cook vs prep cook demographics

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

	First Cook	Prep Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8%	Male, 61.3% Female, 38.7%
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, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.6% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between first cook and 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.

Prep cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Provide students with first-rate customer service and ensure correct time-temperature control of culinary dishes.
Learned and become CPR certify for emergencies.
Direct and ensure that HACCP procedures are follow.
Plan menu items as needed for caf or catering.
Earn first aid, CPR, and a certification.

First cook vs prep cook skills

Common first cook skills

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

Common prep cook skills

Food Handling, 15%
Culinary, 15%
Sanitation Standards, 12%
Kitchen Equipment, 9%
Cleanliness, 7%
Team Work, 7%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
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First Cook vs Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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