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The differences between food preps and cook/servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cook/server has an average salary of $29,716, 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 a cook/server are customer service, customer orders, and safety standards.
| Food Prep | Cook/Server | |
| Yearly salary | $25,840 | $29,716 |
| Hourly rate | $12.42 | $14.29 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 168,743 | 257,582 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| 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.
Cooks/servers are employees who take on the dual role of being a cook and a server in the restaurant. They are usually trained cooks who are in charge of preparing meals for the guests. They prepare ingredients, cook them according to the recipe, and serve them to guests. They are responsible for ensuring that the food is prepared and served to guests within the promised time. They are in charge of managing the pantry, ensuring that the stock is fresh, and checking whether the stock is low. They are expected to have culinary skills, precision, and time management skills.
Food preps and cook/servers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Food Prep | Cook/Server | |
| Average salary | $25,840 | $29,716 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $35,000 | Between $23,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Bellingham, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Grand Ledge High School | The Harley School |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a food prep and a cook/server in terms of educational background:
| Food Prep | Cook/Server | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between food preps' and cook/servers' demographics:
| Food Prep | Cook/Server | |
| Average age | 23 | 23 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.1% Female, 48.9% | Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1% |
| 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% |