Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between food preps and line servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line server has an average salary of $28,300, 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 line server are customer service, quality customer service, and exceptional guest.
| Food Prep | Line Server | |
| Yearly salary | $25,840 | $28,300 |
| Hourly rate | $12.42 | $13.61 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 168,743 | 246,165 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| 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.
A line server is responsible for assisting the guests with their needs to ensure an overall satisfying dining experience with the highest quality service. Line servers take and verify guests' orders, provide recommendation for orders, respond to the guests' inquiries regarding the menu, manage the food preparation and serving, assist guests with additional requests, and ensure strict adherence to the sanitary standards and hygienic procedures at all times. Line servers must have excellent communication and time-management skills to interact with different guests and identify their dining needs.
Food preps and line servers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Food Prep | Line Server | |
| Average salary | $25,840 | $28,300 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $35,000 | Between $21,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | - |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | - |
| Best paying company | Grand Ledge High School | - |
| Best paying industry | Retail | - |
There are a few differences between a food prep and a line server in terms of educational background:
| Food Prep | Line Server | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between food preps' and line servers' demographics:
| Food Prep | Line Server | |
| Average age | 23 | 23 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.1% Female, 48.9% | Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3% |
| 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% |