Lead line cook vs prep cook/dishwasher

The differences between lead line cooks and prep cook/dishwashers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a lead line cook and a prep cook/dishwasher. Additionally, a lead line cook has an average salary of $34,293, which is higher than the $31,687 average annual salary of a prep cook/dishwasher.

The top three skills for a lead line cook include kitchen equipment, culinary and fine dining. The most important skills for a prep cook/dishwasher are wash dishes, food preparation equipment, and dishwashers.

Lead line cook vs prep cook/dishwasher overview

	Lead Line Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Yearly salary	$34,293	$31,687
Hourly rate	$16.49	$15.23
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	173,672	126,351
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 47%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

What does a lead line cook do?

Typically, lead line cooks work under the supervision of a chef or head cook in a kitchen. Leadline cooks oversee the food preparation process from start to end. Their duties include the supervision of kitchen staff, recruitment and training of new kitchen employees, and monitoring of food quality. They comply with the sanitation and nutrition regulations of food as well as their safety standards. They should be knowledgeable and have skills in food preparation, customer service, attention to detail, and communication.

What does a prep cook/dishwasher do?

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.

Lead line cook vs prep cook/dishwasher salary

Lead line cooks and prep cook/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Lead Line Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average salary	$34,293	$31,687
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $45,000	Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Kirkland, WA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	The Culinary Institute of America	Seattle Seahawks
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Retail

Differences between lead line cook and prep cook/dishwasher education

There are a few differences between a lead line cook and a prep cook/dishwasher in terms of educational background:

	Lead Line Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 47%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Lead line cook vs prep cook/dishwasher demographics

Here are the differences between lead line cooks' and prep cook/dishwashers' demographics:

	Lead Line Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%	Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 8.9% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	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%

Differences between lead line cook and prep cook/dishwasher duties and responsibilities

Lead line cook example responsibilities.

Manage food expo; facilitate food temp logs; creation of menu specials; management and supervision of production staff
Skil in the preparation of a variety of culinary styles ranging from contemporary American cuisine to many international culinary styles.
Train and supervise many of the Spanish- speaking dishwashers to work effectively on the line.
Observe workers engage in preparing, portioning, and garnishing foods to ensure that standards are met.
Follow HACCP system, and practice safety and sanitation as well adhere to the company policies and regulations.
Produce HACCP forms and guidelines to have better awareness of quality of food being produce in the kitchen.

Prep cook/dishwasher example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Operate many kitchen appliances and machines including fryers, grinders, food processors, mixers, and slicers.
Perform basic cooking duties such as operate fryers as well as assist cooks in any way need with entrees.
Receive, prepare and plate orders using commercial grills, fryers, ovens and stoves in a quick and consistent manner.
Prep food items and refrigerate appropriately, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, wash all dishes associate with the daily operations
Operate a dishwasher for a hospital cafeteria.

Lead line cook vs prep cook/dishwasher skills

Common lead line cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 20%
Culinary, 11%
Fine Dining, 9%
Cleanliness, 8%
Food Handling, 8%
Customer Service, 7%

Common prep cook/dishwasher skills

Wash Dishes, 42%
Food Preparation Equipment, 10%
Dishwashers, 8%
Kitchen Equipment, 4%
Cooking Equipment, 3%
Line Cooks, 3%

Lead Line Cook vs. similar jobs

Lead Line Cook related careers

Lead Line Cook related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Lead Line Cook
Lead Line Cook vs Prep Cook/Dishwasher

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs