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Kitchen helper vs kitchen assistant

The differences between kitchen helpers and kitchen assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kitchen assistant has an average salary of $27,455, 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 kitchen assistant are wine, kitchen equipment, and POS.

Kitchen helper vs kitchen assistant overview

Kitchen HelperKitchen Assistant
Yearly salary$25,796$27,455
Hourly rate$12.40$13.20
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs80,20278,120
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age3737
Years of experience--

What does a kitchen helper do?

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.

What does a kitchen assistant do?

A kitchen assistant is responsible for assisting chefs, cooks, or managers. Most of the duties are given by supervising officers, and it will revolve around preparing ingredients, cutting or washing meat and vegetables, and performing basic cooking tasks such as boiling and frying. A kitchen assistant is also responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen, washing used materials, sanitizing utensils, organizing food inventory. Other tasks include unloading deliveries of food supplies and sorting the ingredients accordingly.

Kitchen helper vs kitchen assistant salary

Kitchen helpers and kitchen assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kitchen HelperKitchen Assistant
Average salary$25,796$27,455
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $32,000Between $21,000 And $35,000
Highest paying CitySaint Paul, MNMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateMinnesotaAlaska
Best paying companyWilliams InternationalUniversity of Massachusetts Boston
Best paying industryRetailConstruction

Differences between kitchen helper and kitchen assistant education

There are a few differences between a kitchen helper and a kitchen assistant in terms of educational background:

Kitchen HelperKitchen Assistant
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Kitchen helper vs kitchen assistant demographics

Here are the differences between kitchen helpers' and kitchen assistants' demographics:

Kitchen HelperKitchen Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 53.3% Female, 46.7%Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 8.0% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between kitchen helper and kitchen assistant duties and responsibilities

Kitchen helper example responsibilities.

  • Experience on grill, broiler, slicers, fryers etc.
  • Cook food using servsafe guidelines.
  • Use of POS system and cash register.
  • Maintain multiple kitchens while following ServSafe and HACCP.
  • Be aware of certain allergies and avoid cross contamination.
  • Inquire about any allergies to the ingredients of the dishes.
  • Show more

Kitchen assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist the catering manager to manage, prepare, cook and deliver each day s caterings.
  • Prepare and store vegetables; maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchen; observe food safety and health regulations
  • Mix water with detergents and acids to prepare cleaning solutions according to specifications, general cleanliness according to safety and company guidelines
  • Operate dishwasher and train volunteers.
  • Maintain the dishwasher and efficiently clean kitchenware.
  • Skil in grilling, roasting, steaming, platting individual and buffet style.
  • Show more

Kitchen helper vs kitchen assistant skills

Common kitchen helper skills
  • Food Handling, 29%
  • Food Service, 22%
  • Wash Dishes, 10%
  • Cleanliness, 10%
  • Culinary, 8%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 3%
Common kitchen assistant skills
  • Wine, 17%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 15%
  • POS, 15%
  • Culinary, 11%
  • Kitchen Operations, 8%
  • Cooking Equipment, 8%

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