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Kitchen helper vs kitchen staff

The differences between kitchen helpers and kitchen staff can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kitchen staff has an average salary of $29,816, 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 staff are food handling, cleanliness, and sanitation standards.

Kitchen helper vs kitchen staff overview

Kitchen HelperKitchen Staff
Yearly salary$25,796$29,816
Hourly rate$12.40$14.33
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs80,202154,513
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 43%
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 staff do?

The kitchen staff consists of preparation workers who execute several routine tasks as directed by chefs, food service managers, and cooks. These works should have the ability to follow cooking instructions and deliver well-prepared meals. Their responsibilities include the cleanup of dishes, cooking equipment, and the working stations. They also take charge of food safety regulations, storing and sorting of ingredients, and preparing foodstuff.

Kitchen helper vs kitchen staff salary

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

Kitchen HelperKitchen Staff
Average salary$25,796$29,816
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $32,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CitySaint Paul, MNRedwood City, CA
Highest paying stateMinnesotaWashington
Best paying companyWilliams InternationalThe Road Home
Best paying industryRetailEducation

Differences between kitchen helper and kitchen staff education

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

Kitchen HelperKitchen Staff
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Kitchen helper vs kitchen staff demographics

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

Kitchen HelperKitchen Staff
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 53.3% Female, 46.7%Male, 56.5% Female, 43.5%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between kitchen helper and kitchen staff 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 staff example responsibilities.

  • Assist the catering manager to manage, prepare, cook and deliver each day s caterings.
  • Present an enjoyable and positive atmosphere while preparing an outstanding product, manage inventory, and maintain cleanliness
  • Conduct daily inspections for overall cleanliness of all areas and proper sanitizing of food preparation surfaces.
  • Increase sales by upselling and signing customers up for discount cards
  • Prep food for dinner dishes, bar back, work on fryers, and wash dishes.
  • Cook, wash dishes, serve customers, prepare food for caterings, and stock shelves.
  • Show more

Kitchen helper vs kitchen staff skills

Common kitchen helper skills
  • Food Handling, 29%
  • Food Service, 22%
  • Wash Dishes, 10%
  • Cleanliness, 10%
  • Culinary, 8%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 3%
Common kitchen staff skills
  • Food Handling, 25%
  • Cleanliness, 21%
  • Sanitation Standards, 13%
  • Quality Food, 9%
  • Food Products, 7%
  • Meal Preparation, 5%

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