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The differences between food preps and associate food scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an associate food scientist has an average salary of $43,865, which is higher than the $25,840 average annual salary of a food prep.
The top three skills for a food prep include food service, food handling and taking care. The most important skills for an associate food scientist are quality food, food products, and customer service.
| Food Prep | Associate Food Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $25,840 | $43,865 |
| Hourly rate | $12.42 | $21.09 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 168,743 | 160,215 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 23 | 23 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The primary duty of a food prep is to accomplish various food handling and preparation tasks according to the direction of supervisors, chefs, or cooks. One can work in different establishments or industry where there is food involved. Among the responsibilities will mostly revolve around doing light to moderate chores such as cleaning the kitchen and sanitizing utensils, preparing the required ingredients and ensure its quality and quantity, be in charge of food storage, and assist by performing basic cooking tasks.
An associate food scientist is primarily responsible for developing new recipes for a company, ensuring quality and marketability. They are also responsible for improving existing recipes, performing support tasks for a head scientist, conducting market research and analysis, monitoring the progress of projects, and maintaining all recipes' data and records, including nutrition value and ingredients. Furthermore, there are instances when an associate food scientist must manage the packaging and storing processes of food, ensuring consumers' health and safety.
Food preps and associate food scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Food Prep | Associate Food Scientist | |
| Average salary | $25,840 | $43,865 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $35,000 | Between $35,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Grand Ledge High School | Emory University |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a food prep and an associate food scientist in terms of educational background:
| Food Prep | Associate Food Scientist | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between food preps' and associate food scientists' demographics:
| Food Prep | Associate Food Scientist | |
| Average age | 23 | 23 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.1% Female, 48.9% | Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |