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The differences between food preparers and cafe associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cafe associate has an average salary of $30,081, which is higher than the $27,717 average annual salary of a food preparer.
The top three skills for a food preparer include food handling, work ethic and food products. The most important skills for a cafe associate are safety standards, food service, and groceries.
| Food Preparer | Cafe Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $27,717 | $30,081 |
| Hourly rate | $13.33 | $14.46 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 134,113 | 76,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Average age | 23 | 23 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A cafe associate performs various support tasks to help maintain the smooth flow of operations at a cafe and ensure customer satisfaction. They ensure that the shelves are stocked with fresh and high-quality products by conducting regular evaluations and inspections, disposing of expired goods, and adding new products as necessary. They may also prepare or serve orders, make drinks using machines, and assist customers by answering inquiries or processing their payments. Moreover, a cafe associate must maintain an open communication line with co-workers and report to managers regularly.
Food preparers and cafe associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Food Preparer | Cafe Associate | |
| Average salary | $27,717 | $30,081 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $37,000 | Between $24,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | Commack, NY | Concord, NH |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Mount Sinai Health System | Bertucci's |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a food preparer and a cafe associate in terms of educational background:
| Food Preparer | Cafe Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between food preparers' and cafe associates' demographics:
| Food Preparer | Cafe Associate | |
| Average age | 23 | 23 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4% | Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6% |
| 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% |