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Line chef vs prep chef

The differences between line chefs and prep chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a line chef and a prep chef. Additionally, a line chef has an average salary of $26,651, which is higher than the $25,941 average annual salary of a prep chef.

The top three skills for a line chef include kitchen equipment, sanitation standards and food handling. The most important skills for a prep chef are kitchen equipment, dishes, and cleanliness.

Line chef vs prep chef overview

Line ChefPrep Chef
Yearly salary$26,651$25,941
Hourly rate$12.81$12.47
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs144,22752,624
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 31%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Line chef vs prep chef salary

Line chefs and prep chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.

Line ChefPrep Chef
Average salary$26,651$25,941
Salary rangeBetween $18,000 And $37,000Between $17,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityChicopee, MA-
Highest paying stateNew Hampshire-
Best paying companySyracuse University-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between line chef and prep chef education

There are a few differences between a line chef and a prep chef in terms of educational background:

Line ChefPrep Chef
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 31%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeStanford UniversityDrexel University

Line chef vs prep chef demographics

Here are the differences between line chefs' and prep chefs' demographics:

Line ChefPrep Chef
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 69.4% Female, 30.6%Male, 67.1% Female, 32.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 10.2% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between line chef and prep chef duties and responsibilities

Line chef example responsibilities.

  • Manage food expo; facilitate food temp logs; creation of menu specials; management and supervision of production staff
  • Clean stoves, ovens, shrowds, floors, stainless steel tables.
  • Prepare food for special groups including those who have eating disorders or allergies.
  • Close down the kitchen after each shift, making sure all BOH staff follow closing checklist for kitchen stations.
  • Maintain highest level of cleanliness and sanitation
  • Maintain company and government standards of preparation, safety and cleanliness.
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Prep chef example responsibilities.

  • Manage a kitchen of military personal and Japanese civilian chefs.
  • Work using fryers, boilers, grill, ovens, steamers, mixers.
  • Instruct new employees in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, and presentation of food.
  • Maintain highest level of cleanliness and sanitation.
  • Maintain cleanliness of station, ensuring sanitary conditions.
  • Create and prepare international cuisine for executive clientele by using ingenuity, organization, efficiency in production and attention to detail
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Line chef vs prep chef skills

Common line chef skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 16%
  • Sanitation Standards, 11%
  • Food Handling, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Broilers, 7%
Common prep chef skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 33%
  • Dishes, 30%
  • Cleanliness, 18%
  • Food Service, 10%
  • Dinner Service, 2%
  • Prep List, 1%

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