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The differences between kitchen helpers and prep cook/dishwashers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a prep cook/dishwasher has an average salary of $31,687, 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 prep cook/dishwasher are wash dishes, food preparation equipment, and dishwashers.
| Kitchen Helper | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Yearly salary | $25,796 | $31,687 |
| Hourly rate | $12.40 | $15.23 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 80,202 | 126,351 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Average age | 37 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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 prep cook and dishwasher is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen items and utensils, and performing basic cooking tasks under the supervision of chefs or cooks. It is also their responsibility to prepare ingredients by washing, chopping, weighing, and ensuring that they are the correct quantity and quality. Furthermore, a prep cook and dishwasher may also have to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen, clear tables, monitor inventory of ingredients in storage, coordinate with the kitchen staff, and meet all health standards and policies.
Kitchen helpers and prep cook/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Kitchen Helper | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Average salary | $25,796 | $31,687 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $32,000 | Between $25,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saint Paul, MN | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Washington |
| Best paying company | Williams International | Seattle Seahawks |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a kitchen helper and a prep cook/dishwasher in terms of educational background:
| Kitchen Helper | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between kitchen helpers' and prep cook/dishwashers' demographics:
| Kitchen Helper | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Average age | 37 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% | Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9% |
| 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, 8.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |