First cook vs prep cook/dishwasher

The differences between first cooks and prep cook/dishwashers 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/dishwasher. Additionally, a first cook has an average salary of $34,044, which is higher than the $31,687 average annual salary of a prep cook/dishwasher.

The top three skills for a first cook include cleanliness, patients and food handling. The most important skills for a prep cook/dishwasher are wash dishes, food preparation equipment, and dishwashers.

First cook vs prep cook/dishwasher overview

	First Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Yearly salary	$34,044	$31,687
Hourly rate	$16.37	$15.23
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	149,060	126,351
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

First cook vs prep cook/dishwasher salary

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

	First Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average salary	$34,044	$31,687
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $42,000	Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Seattle Seahawks
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between first cook and prep cook/dishwasher education

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

	First Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

First cook vs prep cook/dishwasher demographics

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

	First Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8%	Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%
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, 8.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between first cook and prep cook/dishwasher 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/dishwasher example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Operate many kitchen appliances and machines including fryers, grinders, food processors, mixers, and slicers.
Perform basic cooking duties such as operate fryers as well as assist cooks in any way need with entrees.
Receive, prepare and plate orders using commercial grills, fryers, ovens and stoves in a quick and consistent manner.
Prep food items and refrigerate appropriately, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, wash all dishes associate with the daily operations
Operate a dishwasher for a hospital cafeteria.

First cook vs prep cook/dishwasher skills

Common first cook skills

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

Common prep cook/dishwasher skills

Wash Dishes, 42%
Food Preparation Equipment, 10%
Dishwashers, 8%
Kitchen Equipment, 4%
Cooking Equipment, 3%
Line Cooks, 3%

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First Cook
First Cook vs Prep Cook/Dishwasher

Updated January 8, 2025

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