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Kitchen staff vs food prep/dishwasher

The differences between kitchen staff 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 $29,816 average annual salary of a kitchen staff.

The top three skills for a kitchen staff include food handling, cleanliness and sanitation standards. The most important skills for a food prep/dishwasher are food preparation equipment, work ethic, and wash dishes.

Kitchen staff vs food prep/dishwasher overview

Kitchen StaffFood Prep/Dishwasher
Yearly salary$29,816$29,964
Hourly rate$14.33$14.41
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs154,513113,200
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 58%
Average age3737
Years of experience--

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.

What does a food prep/dishwasher do?

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 staff vs food prep/dishwasher salary

Kitchen staff and food prep/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kitchen StaffFood Prep/Dishwasher
Average salary$29,816$29,964
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyThe Road HomeUniversity of Wisconsin System
Best paying industryEducationProfessional

Differences between kitchen staff and food prep/dishwasher education

There are a few differences between a kitchen staff and a food prep/dishwasher in terms of educational background:

Kitchen StaffFood Prep/Dishwasher
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 58%
Most common majorBusinessGeneral Studies
Most common college--

Kitchen staff vs food prep/dishwasher demographics

Here are the differences between kitchen staff' and food prep/dishwashers' demographics:

Kitchen StaffFood Prep/Dishwasher
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 56.5% Female, 43.5%Male, 79.9% Female, 20.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between kitchen staff and food prep/dishwasher duties and responsibilities

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

Food prep/dishwasher example responsibilities.

  • Prep food items and refrigerate appropriately, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, wash all dishes associate with the daily operations
  • Operate industrial dishwasher ensuring sanitation of all dishes.
  • Operate dishwasher keep kitchen clean organize and sanitize.
  • Take proper care of ranges, ovens, broilers, fryers, griddles, utensils and other equipment.
  • Gain knowledge of how to use kitchen tools such as blenders, fryers, coffee maker, and food processor.
  • Make smoothies, clean up after every smoothie, clean whole store, prep fruits and juices
  • Show more

Kitchen staff vs food prep/dishwasher skills

Common kitchen staff skills
  • Food Handling, 25%
  • Cleanliness, 21%
  • Sanitation Standards, 13%
  • Quality Food, 9%
  • Food Products, 7%
  • Meal Preparation, 5%
Common food prep/dishwasher skills
  • Food Preparation Equipment, 17%
  • Work Ethic, 17%
  • Wash Dishes, 14%
  • Cleanliness, 10%
  • Food Service, 9%
  • Dishwashers, 8%

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