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The differences between kitchen helpers and food prep/dishwashers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food prep/dishwasher has an average salary of $29,964, 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 food prep/dishwasher are food preparation equipment, work ethic, and wash dishes.
| Kitchen Helper | Food Prep/Dishwasher | |
| Yearly salary | $25,796 | $29,964 |
| Hourly rate | $12.40 | $14.41 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 80,202 | 113,200 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 58% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| 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.
A food prep/dishwasher's role is to perform food preparation and cleaning duties in a kitchen, under the supervision and directives of a chef or manager. One of their primary responsibilities is washing dishes, sanitizing utensils, and preparing ingredients by washing, peeling, and cutting them according to size. They may also participate in organizing, sorting, and putting them in proper storage. There are also instances when they have to perform basic cooking tasks ranging from boiling and frying to baking. Furthermore, a food prep/dishwasher may have the duty of maintaining the kitchen's cleanliness and other areas.
Kitchen helpers and food prep/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Kitchen Helper | Food Prep/Dishwasher | |
| Average salary | $25,796 | $29,964 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $32,000 | Between $24,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saint Paul, MN | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Washington |
| Best paying company | Williams International | University of Wisconsin System |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Professional |
There are a few differences between a kitchen helper and a food prep/dishwasher in terms of educational background:
| Kitchen Helper | Food Prep/Dishwasher | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 58% |
| Most common major | Business | General Studies |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between kitchen helpers' and food prep/dishwashers' demographics:
| Kitchen Helper | Food Prep/Dishwasher | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% | Male, 79.9% Female, 20.1% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 6.9% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |