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The differences between food preps and food runners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food prep has an average salary of $25,840, which is higher than the $25,536 average annual salary of a food runner.
The top three skills for a food prep include food service, food handling and taking care. The most important skills for a food runner are cleanliness, wine, and culinary.
| Food Prep | Food Runner | |
| Yearly salary | $25,840 | $25,536 |
| Hourly rate | $12.42 | $12.28 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 168,743 | 240,853 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 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.
Food Runners are responsible for assisting waitstaff on serving customers at a restaurant or similar establishment. Among their duties include maintaining cleanliness in particular areas, setting tables, refilling drinks, assisting customers with everything that they need, and coordinating with the workforce in and out of the kitchen. Furthermore, Food Runners need to ensure that all deliveries are accurate according to what is ordered by a customer. It is essential to stay presentable and helpful at all times as the main priority is customer satisfaction.
Food preps and food runners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Food Prep | Food Runner | |
| Average salary | $25,840 | $25,536 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $35,000 | Between $18,000 And $34,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Grand Ledge High School | University of Massachusetts Boston |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a food prep and a food runner in terms of educational background:
| Food Prep | Food Runner | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between food preps' and food runners' demographics:
| Food Prep | Food Runner | |
| Average age | 23 | 23 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.1% Female, 48.9% | Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0% |
| 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% |