Head cook vs breakfast cook

The differences between head cooks and breakfast 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 a breakfast cook takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a head cook has an average salary of $44,412, which is higher than the $33,616 average annual salary of a breakfast cook.

The top three skills for a head cook include kitchen equipment, meal preparation and food service. The most important skills for a breakfast cook are food handling, cleanliness, and culinary.

Head cook vs breakfast cook overview

	Head Cook	Breakfast Cook
Yearly salary	$44,412	$33,616
Hourly rate	$21.35	$16.16
Growth rate	15%	16%
Number of jobs	156,227	187,390
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	42	38
Years of experience	6	4

Head cook vs breakfast cook salary

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

	Head Cook	Breakfast Cook
Average salary	$44,412	$33,616
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $61,000	Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	San Antonio, TX	Beverly, MA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Hawaii
Best paying company	Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics	Kohler Co.
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Government

Differences between head cook and breakfast cook education

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

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

Head cook vs breakfast cook demographics

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

	Head Cook	Breakfast Cook
Average age	42	38
Gender ratio	Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%	Male, 53.7% Female, 46.3%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	6%

Differences between head cook and breakfast 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.

Breakfast cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Cut steaks, pizzas, work the line, saut and broiler cook, full-time, then part-time 'till they close.
Provide training to all new hire culinary staff.
Cook weekends for man, broiler, saut e, and banquets.
Prepare lunch items, make sandwiches, roll and bake biscuits, wash dishes
Prep and cook breakfast and lunch dishes for locally own bakery and cafe.

Head cook vs breakfast 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 breakfast cook skills

Food Handling, 16%
Cleanliness, 16%
Culinary, 13%
Food Service, 8%
Quality Standards, 8%
Kitchen Equipment, 7%

Head Cook vs. similar jobs

Head Cook related careers

Head Cook related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Head Cook
Head Cook vs Breakfast Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs