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Food prep vs food preparer

The differences between food preps and food preparers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food preparer has an average salary of $27,717, 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 food preparer are food handling, work ethic, and food products.

Food prep vs food preparer overview

Food PrepFood Preparer
Yearly salary$25,840$27,717
Hourly rate$12.42$13.33
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs168,743134,113
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

What does a food prep do?

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.

What does a food preparer do?

A food preparer or food preparation worker is the person who executes routine tasks under the supervision of chefs, food service managers, and cooks. Food preparation workers slice meat, cut vegetables, and prepare cold foods. They prepare ingredients of food for recipes as they assist cooks and chefs. Their duties and responsibilities include sifting, marinating, food safety, grating, and knife skills. They are also expected to weigh and measure dry and liquid ingredients.

Food prep vs food preparer salary

Food preps and food preparers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food PrepFood Preparer
Average salary$25,840$27,717
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $35,000Between $20,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MACommack, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew Hampshire
Best paying companyGrand Ledge High SchoolMount Sinai Health System
Best paying industryRetailRetail

Differences between food prep and food preparer education

There are a few differences between a food prep and a food preparer in terms of educational background:

Food PrepFood Preparer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food prep vs food preparer demographics

Here are the differences between food preps' and food preparers' demographics:

Food PrepFood Preparer
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 51.1% Female, 48.9%Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between food prep and food preparer duties and responsibilities

Food prep example responsibilities.

  • Provide quality customer service while providing assistance in food preparation and maintaining store cleanliness.
  • Operate blenders, stoves, and steamers.
  • Fast pace and quick learning worker also good math skills.
  • Clean dishes, meat and cheese slicers, refrigerators and coolers.
  • Detail cleaning include, broilers, fryers, walk in refrigerator/freezer, dining and restrooms.
  • Operate flat top grill, salamander grill, deep fryer, mixer and tortilla steamers.
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Food preparer example responsibilities.

  • Maintain cleanliness, organization and time management of order preparation, customer service
  • Follow closing procedures and maintain cleanliness of food preparation area and bathrooms.
  • Operate on a POS system, and would prep and serve food.
  • Clean fryers daily, closing shop with overhaul of cleaning routines and stocking freezers.
  • Operate a variety of commercial cooking equipment including grills, deep fryers, and ovens.
  • Clean and sanitize workstations, utensils and equipment according to sanitation guidelines.
  • Show more

Food prep vs food preparer skills

Common food prep skills
  • Food Service, 17%
  • Food Handling, 13%
  • Taking Care, 12%
  • Cleanliness, 9%
  • Good Communication, 6%
  • Math, 5%
Common food preparer skills
  • Food Handling, 20%
  • Work Ethic, 13%
  • Food Products, 11%
  • Kitchen Utensils, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%

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