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What is a line cook, prep cook and how to become one
A line cook and prep cook are both individuals who work in a restaurant kitchen and are responsible for preparing ingredients and dishes. They work alongside other cooks and under the supervision of a head chef to ensure that food is prepared and cooked to a high standard. Prep cooks are responsible for chopping, slicing, and measuring ingredients, while line cooks are responsible for cooking and plating dishes during service.
Avg. Salary $32,982
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 16%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.21%
Asian 9.08%
Black or African American 9.54%
Hispanic or Latino 18.42%
Unknown 4.81%
White 56.94%
Genderfemale 32.37%
male 67.63%
Age - 37American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 37Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is basic
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a line cook, prep cook?
Pros
Fast-paced and exciting work environment
Opportunities to learn and improve cooking skills
Team-oriented atmosphere
Ability to be creative with dishes
Potential for advancement within the restaurant industry
Cons
Long and physically demanding hours on your feet
Exposure to heat, steam, and dangerous kitchen equipment
High-pressure environment with tight deadlines
Low pay, especially in entry-level positions
Limited opportunities for creativity depending on the restaurant's menu or policies.
Line cook, prep cook career paths
Key steps to become a line cook, prep cook
Explore line cook, prep cook education requirements
Start to develop specific line cook, prep cook skills
Skills Percentages Kitchen Equipment 24.65% Food Handling 11.30% Culinary 10.11% Customer Service 9.94% Salad Station 6.48% Complete relevant line cook, prep cook training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New line cooks, prep cook learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a line cook, prep cook based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real line cook, prep cook resumes.Gain additional line cook, prep cook certifications
More About CertificationsLine cook, prep cook certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific line cook, prep cook certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for line cooks, prep cook include OSHA Safety Certificate and ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.
Research line cook, prep cook duties and 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.
Prepare your line cook, prep cook resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your line cook, prep cook resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a line cook, prep cook resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable line cook, prep cook resume templates
Build a professional line cook, prep cook resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your line cook, prep cook resume.
Apply for line cook, prep cook jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a line cook, prep cook job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first line cook, prep cook job
Are you a line cook, prep cook?
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Average line cook, prep cook salary
The average line cook, prep cook salary in the United States is $32,982 per year or $16 per hour. Line cook, prep cook salaries range between $26,000 and $40,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do line cooks, prep cook rate their job?
Line cook, prep cook reviews
Because ,I like making sure the dishes etc,food is prepared for customers!!!
None
Nothing to complain about love being a chef
I like being able to work with food and get creative. I enjoy learning new techniques for a set of skills that can be applied outside the workplace.
It's pretty stressful on the body. I definitely could not see myself doing this the rest of my life; I am 19 and I can admit it's hard work - and I would consider myself in shape. Like dishwashers, I do consider myself underappreciated as well. We don't make very much money - In some cases, the servers make more than us! I think it's because our specific organization doesn't allow the kitchen staff to get tips at all.
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Updated January 8, 2025
