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Kitchen lead vs bar manager/bartender

The differences between kitchen leads and bar managers/bartender can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kitchen lead has an average salary of $35,678, which is higher than the $25,051 average annual salary of a bar manager/bartender.

The top three skills for a kitchen lead include customer service, culinary and food products. The most important skills for a bar manager/bartender are wine, bartending, and cleanliness.

Kitchen lead vs bar manager/bartender overview

Kitchen LeadBar Manager/Bartender
Yearly salary$35,678$25,051
Hourly rate$17.15$12.04
Growth rate10%18%
Number of jobs56,30059,783
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age3737
Years of experience--

What does a kitchen lead do?

A kitchen manager acts as the overseer of food preparation and cooking. They ensure that all staff are working efficiently. They maintain the cleanliness of workstations and monitor all supplies used. To avoid lapses, they monitor the staff during cooking to ensure that the kitchen serves the best quality of food. Also, they create reports on the monthly expenses of supplies.

What does a bar manager/bartender do?

A bar manager/bartender is responsible for handling daily bar operations to achieve the highest customer satisfaction. Bar manager/bartenders often interact with guests, responding to their inquiries and special requests, and immediately resolving service complaints. They also develop marketing strategies to attract guests by updating menu information and researching the latest market trends. Bar managers/bartenders also monitor inventories and stock supplies, coordinating with third-party vendors, and negotiating contracts with trusted suppliers. A bar manager/bartender must have excellent leadership skills and oversee the compliance of all staff to the bar regulations and safety standards.

Kitchen lead vs bar manager/bartender salary

Kitchen leads and bar managers/bartender have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kitchen LeadBar Manager/Bartender
Average salary$35,678$25,051
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $45,000Between $17,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CityRedmond, WA-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyZoës Kitchen-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between kitchen lead and bar manager/bartender education

There are a few differences between a kitchen lead and a bar manager/bartender in terms of educational background:

Kitchen LeadBar Manager/Bartender
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsBusiness
Most common college--

Kitchen lead vs bar manager/bartender demographics

Here are the differences between kitchen leads' and bar managers/bartender' demographics:

Kitchen LeadBar Manager/Bartender
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 67.1% Female, 32.9%Male, 48.5% Female, 51.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 5.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between kitchen lead and bar manager/bartender duties and responsibilities

Kitchen lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage grill area and demonstrate leadership.
  • Can work without supervision in BOH, prepping and organizing.
  • Filter all fryers, change oil, and run dishwashers.
  • Involve in revamping standardize recipes, and teaching staff consistent culinary techniques.
  • Assign and check completion of side and/or cleaning tasks throughout BOH positions.
  • Start as p.m. dishwasher, and with no prior culinary experience work to kitchen lead.
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Bar manager/bartender example responsibilities.

  • Manage payroll and timekeeping including completion of proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
  • Operate large-volume cooking equipment such as grills, deep fryers, stoves and ovens.
  • Direct bartending operations, overseeing seamless beverage service, scheduling, inventory management and customer service.
  • Take drink and food orders, enter orders in the POS system, collect and process cash and credit card payments.
  • Use computerize registers to swipe beverage servers micros.
  • Oversee and direct staff to execute BEO's in accordance to client's needs and specifications.
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Kitchen lead vs bar manager/bartender skills

Common kitchen lead skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Culinary, 21%
  • Food Products, 14%
  • Food Service, 13%
  • Food Safety, 5%
  • Quality Food, 5%
Common bar manager/bartender skills
  • Wine, 23%
  • Bartending, 16%
  • Cleanliness, 10%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • POS, 6%
  • Cash Handling, 4%

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