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The differences between line cooks and line chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a line cook, becoming a line chef takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a line cook has an average salary of $32,894, which is higher than the $26,651 average annual salary of a line chef.
The top three skills for a line cook include culinary, sanitation standards and food handling. The most important skills for a line chef are kitchen equipment, sanitation standards, and food handling.
| Line Cook | Line Chef | |
| Yearly salary | $32,894 | $26,651 |
| Hourly rate | $15.81 | $12.81 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 15% |
| Number of jobs | 168,993 | 144,227 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 38 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Line cooks are responsible for preparing meals for guests or employers. The term line cook brings to mind an assembly line. This is apt because line cooks are usually assigned to a specific station to work on a specific part of a meal or a preparation process. They are part of a bigger group of cooks in the restaurant. This is done so that meal preparation is more efficient. Line cooks are responsible for preparing ingredients, ensuring that the pantry is well-stocked, and doing their assigned activity in the line. They are expected to be good team players, have experience as a cook, and be able to follow recipes and provide alternatives when necessary.
Line Chefs are in charge of cooking or preparing meat, vegetables, soup, and other ingredients according to area guidelines. Their responsibilities include managing and supervising kitchen staff, coordinating with fellow chefs, replenishing supply inventories, and setting-up cooking areas, ensuring adequate and high-quality ingredients. Among their other usual tasks involve cutting vegetables and meat, preparing sauces, and resolving issues should any arise. Moreover, they must maintain their designated area's cleanliness, all while enforcing and adhering to the health and sanitation standards.
Line cooks and line chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Cook | Line Chef | |
| Average salary | $32,894 | $26,651 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $40,000 | Between $18,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Chicopee, MA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Gate City Bank | Syracuse University |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Education |
There are a few differences between a line cook and a line chef in terms of educational background:
| Line Cook | Line Chef | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between line cooks' and line chefs' demographics:
| Line Cook | Line Chef | |
| Average age | 38 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9% | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |