Head cook vs assistant cook

The differences between head cooks and assistant cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a head cook, becoming an assistant cook takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a head cook has an average salary of $44,412, which is higher than the $34,244 average annual salary of an assistant cook.

The top three skills for a head cook include kitchen equipment, meal preparation and food service. The most important skills for an assistant cook are food handling, kitchen equipment, and dishes.

Head cook vs assistant cook overview

	Head Cook	Assistant Cook
Yearly salary	$44,412	$34,244
Hourly rate	$21.35	$16.46
Growth rate	15%	16%
Number of jobs	156,227	190,245
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 37%
Average age	42	38
Years of experience	6	4

Head cook vs assistant cook salary

Head cooks and assistant cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Head Cook	Assistant Cook
Average salary	$44,412	$34,244
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $61,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	San Antonio, TX	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Hospitality

Differences between head cook and assistant cook education

There are a few differences between a head cook and an assistant cook in terms of educational background:

	Head Cook	Assistant Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 37%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	Stanford University	-

Head cook vs assistant cook demographics

Here are the differences between head cooks' and assistant cooks' demographics:

	Head Cook	Assistant Cook
Average age	42	38
Gender ratio	Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%	Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 10.3% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 8.6% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	6%

Differences between head cook and assistant cook duties and responsibilities

Head cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Accommodate all campers and staff with dietary restrictions, food allergies as well as providing vegetarian and vegan options.
Follow all equipment and safety procedures in all operations including slicers, choppers, mixers and other meal processing equipment.
Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Scramble eggs, sausage, potatoes, biscits and gravy.
Create and execute menus for the buffets.

Assistant cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Operate stoves, food processors, steamers, slices, ovens.
Ensure ovens and stoves are clean and ready for use.
Train new and current cooks on menu conversion, garnishing, and food presentation.
Prepare and deliver food trays to hospital patients for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Supervise and maintain HACCP standards, training processes for cooks and monitor aspects of contract compliance.

Head cook vs assistant cook skills

Common head cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 41%
Meal Preparation, 15%
Food Service, 7%
Food Preparation, 3%
Quality Standards, 3%
Safety Standards, 2%

Common assistant cook skills

Food Handling, 12%
Kitchen Equipment, 11%
Dishes, 9%
Food Service, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Cleanliness, 6%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Head Cook
Head Cook vs Assistant Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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