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The differences between food preps and prep cook/dishwashers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a prep cook/dishwasher has an average salary of $31,687, 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 prep cook/dishwasher are wash dishes, food preparation equipment, and dishwashers.
| Food Prep | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Yearly salary | $25,840 | $31,687 |
| Hourly rate | $12.42 | $15.23 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 168,743 | 126,351 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Average age | 23 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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 prep cook and dishwasher is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen items and utensils, and performing basic cooking tasks under the supervision of chefs or cooks. It is also their responsibility to prepare ingredients by washing, chopping, weighing, and ensuring that they are the correct quantity and quality. Furthermore, a prep cook and dishwasher may also have to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen, clear tables, monitor inventory of ingredients in storage, coordinate with the kitchen staff, and meet all health standards and policies.
Food preps and prep cook/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Food Prep | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Average salary | $25,840 | $31,687 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $35,000 | Between $25,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Grand Ledge High School | Seattle Seahawks |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a food prep and a prep cook/dishwasher in terms of educational background:
| Food Prep | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between food preps' and prep cook/dishwashers' demographics:
| Food Prep | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Average age | 23 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.1% Female, 48.9% | Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9% |
| 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, 8.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |