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The differences between 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 line cook and a prep cook/dishwasher. Additionally, a line cook has an average salary of $32,894, which is higher than the $31,687 average annual salary of a prep cook/dishwasher.
The top three skills for a line cook include culinary, sanitation standards and food handling. The most important skills for a prep cook/dishwasher are wash dishes, food preparation equipment, and dishwashers.
| Line Cook | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Yearly salary | $32,894 | $31,687 |
| Hourly rate | $15.81 | $15.23 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 168,993 | 126,351 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Line cooks and prep cook/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Cook | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Average salary | $32,894 | $31,687 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $40,000 | Between $25,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Washington |
| Best paying company | Gate City Bank | Seattle Seahawks |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Retail |
There are a few differences between a line cook and a prep cook/dishwasher in terms of educational background:
| Line Cook | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between line cooks' and prep cook/dishwashers' demographics:
| Line Cook | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9% | Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9% |
| 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, 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% |