Line cook, prep cook vs breakfast cook

The differences between line cooks, prep cook and breakfast cooks 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, prep cook and a breakfast cook. Additionally, a breakfast cook has an average salary of $33,616, which is higher than the $32,982 average annual salary of a line cook, prep cook.

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

Line cook, prep cook vs breakfast cook overview

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Breakfast Cook
Yearly salary	$32,982	$33,616
Hourly rate	$15.86	$16.16
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	164,756	187,390
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Line cook, prep cook vs breakfast cook salary

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Breakfast Cook
Average salary	$32,982	$33,616
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Beverly, MA
Highest paying state	Washington	Hawaii
Best paying company	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN	Kohler Co.
Best paying industry	Retail	Government

Differences between line cook, prep cook and breakfast cook education

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Breakfast Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Line cook, prep cook vs breakfast cook demographics

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Breakfast Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%	Male, 53.7% Female, 46.3%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

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

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.

Breakfast cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Cut steaks, pizzas, work the line, saut and broiler cook, full-time, then part-time 'till they close.
Provide training to all new hire culinary staff.
Cook weekends for man, broiler, saut e, and banquets.
Prepare lunch items, make sandwiches, roll and bake biscuits, wash dishes
Prep and cook breakfast and lunch dishes for locally own bakery and cafe.

Line cook, prep cook vs breakfast cook skills

Common line cook, prep cook skills

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

Common breakfast cook skills

Food Handling, 16%
Cleanliness, 16%
Culinary, 13%
Food Service, 8%
Quality Standards, 8%
Kitchen Equipment, 7%

Line Cook, Prep Cook vs. similar jobs

Line Cook, Prep Cook related careers

Line Cook, Prep Cook related jobs

Line Cook, Prep Cook jobs by location

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Line Cook, Prep Cook
Line Cook, Prep Cook vs Breakfast Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs