Line cook vs line cook, prep cook

The differences between line cooks and line cooks, prep cook can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a line cook and a line cook, prep cook. Additionally, a line cook, prep cook has an average salary of $32,982, which is higher than the $32,894 average annual salary of a line cook.

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

Line cook vs line cook, prep cook overview

	Line Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$32,894	$32,982
Hourly rate	$15.81	$15.86
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	168,993	164,756
Job satisfaction	4	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

What does a line cook do?

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.

What does a line cook, prep cook do?

A line cook/prep cook is responsible for assisting with food preparations, ensuring that all ingredients are readily available and stored safely. Line cook/prep cook tasks also include reviewing and updating menus to keep the customers' patronization. Their duties also include researching the current food industry trends, managing customers' inquiries, resolving serving complaints, monitoring food supplies and inventories, and complying with sanitary regulations. A line cook/prep cook must have excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills to perform various tasks under strict time demands and a fast-paced environment.

Line cook vs line cook, prep cook salary

Line cooks and line cooks, prep cook have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Line Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average salary	$32,894	$32,982
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Washington
Best paying company	Gate City Bank	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Retail

Differences between line cook and line cook, prep cook education

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

	Line Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Line cook vs line cook, prep cook demographics

Here are the differences between line cooks' and line cooks, prep cook' demographics:

	Line Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between line cook and line cook, prep cook duties and responsibilities

Line cook example responsibilities.

Used strong organizational skills to manage steamers efficiently for both eat-in and take-out services.
Supervise cooks and manage the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food items, cutting meat size.
Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Used equipment such as meat slicers, salamanders and steamers.
Develop food preparation skills and knowledge of tools involve; such as proper use of knives and automate slicers.

Line cook, prep cook example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Prepare cold foods, operate ovens, stoves, grills, microwaves, and fryers.
Expedite orders while maintaining food being cook in ovens, griddles, stoves and fryers.
Observe and test foods to determine quality and safety by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and fryers.
Set up and break down for any catering parties or buffets.
Cook foods by baking, roasting, broiling, frying, steaming, grilling.

Line cook vs line cook, prep cook skills

Common line cook skills

Culinary, 12%
Sanitation Standards, 11%
Food Handling, 11%
Team Work, 9%
Kitchen Equipment, 8%
Cleanliness, 8%

Common line cook, prep cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 25%
Food Handling, 11%
Culinary, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Salad Station, 6%
Line Cooks, 6%

Line Cook vs. similar jobs

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Line Cook vs Line Cook, Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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