Line cook, prep cook vs cook/server

The differences between line cooks, prep cook and cook/servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line cook, prep cook has an average salary of $32,982, which is higher than the $29,716 average annual salary of a cook/server.

The top three skills for a line cook, prep cook include kitchen equipment, food handling and culinary. The most important skills for a cook/server are customer service, customer orders, and safety standards.

Line cook, prep cook vs cook/server overview

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Cook/Server
Yearly salary	$32,982	$29,716
Hourly rate	$15.86	$14.29
Growth rate	16%	14%
Number of jobs	164,756	257,582
Job satisfaction	4	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 52%
Average age	38	23
Years of experience	4	-

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.

What does a cook/server do?

Cooks/servers are employees who take on the dual role of being a cook and a server in the restaurant. They are usually trained cooks who are in charge of preparing meals for the guests. They prepare ingredients, cook them according to the recipe, and serve them to guests. They are responsible for ensuring that the food is prepared and served to guests within the promised time. They are in charge of managing the pantry, ensuring that the stock is fresh, and checking whether the stock is low. They are expected to have culinary skills, precision, and time management skills.

Line cook, prep cook vs cook/server salary

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Cook/Server
Average salary	$32,982	$29,716
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Bellingham, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	Alaska
Best paying company	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN	The Harley School
Best paying industry	Retail	Retail

Differences between line cook, prep cook and cook/server education

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Cook/Server
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 52%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Business
Most common college	-	-

Line cook, prep cook vs cook/server demographics

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Cook/Server
Average age	38	23
Gender ratio	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%	Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	6%	8%

Differences between line cook, prep cook and cook/server 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.

Cook/server example responsibilities.

Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
Assist customers, bag groceries, replenish carts, and clean store.
Pay close attention to detail while multitasking between communicating over the intercom, utilizing the POS, and order placing.
Make smoothies, coffee, customer service, cashier, fill bakery cooler, inventory, stock, and clean!
Operate the filtration system used for the fryers to keep all sanitation guidelines up to standards as per the health department.
Operate, and maintain clean and safe cooking equipment like pressure cooker deep fryers, plate grills, and deep fryers.

Line cook, prep cook vs cook/server 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 cook/server skills

Customer Service, 41%
Customer Orders, 8%
Safety Standards, 6%
Food Preparation, 5%
Kitchen Equipment, 4%
POS, 4%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Line Cook, Prep Cook
Line Cook, Prep Cook vs Cook/Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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