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The differences between kitchen helpers and cook/dishwashers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cook/dishwasher has an average salary of $31,703, which is higher than the $25,796 average annual salary of a kitchen helper.
The top three skills for a kitchen helper include food handling, food service and wash dishes. The most important skills for a cook/dishwasher are wash dishes, customer service, and dishwashers.
| Kitchen Helper | Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Yearly salary | $25,796 | $31,703 |
| Hourly rate | $12.40 | $15.24 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 80,202 | 133,000 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 58% |
| Average age | 37 | 36 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Kitchen helpers perform various kitchen tasks in restaurants, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. Their duties and responsibilities include assisting cooks in the preparation of meal ingredients, helping other staff with unloading food items from delivery trucks, and washing and drying the utensils, dishes, and cookware. Kitchen helpers are also responsible for removing and replacing garbage bags and storing ingredients and food supplies in compliance with food safety standards. The requirements for this position may include a high school diploma, a license in food handling, and knowledge of food safety standards.
Cooks/dishwashers must develop kitchen skills to excel in this line of job. Each cook or dishwasher must learn to develop skills in food preparation, sanitation, and customer service. Cooks or dishwashers can be assigned to different areas, either in the kitchen area, food preparation, or in washing dishes. The scope of their responsibilities may include the cooking surface area, specific food items, or menu items. Also, they are expected to maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen, assist in preparing food, and may do any other duties demanded by the chef.
Kitchen helpers and cook/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Kitchen Helper | Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Average salary | $25,796 | $31,703 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $32,000 | Between $24,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saint Paul, MN | Tacoma, WA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Washington |
| Best paying company | Williams International | New Seasons Market |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a kitchen helper and a cook/dishwasher in terms of educational background:
| Kitchen Helper | Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 58% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between kitchen helpers' and cook/dishwashers' demographics:
| Kitchen Helper | Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Average age | 37 | 36 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 8.1% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 5.9% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |