Line cook, prep cook vs fry cook

The differences between line cooks, prep cook and fry 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 fry cook. Additionally, a line cook, prep cook has an average salary of $32,982, which is higher than the $30,622 average annual salary of a fry cook.

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

Line cook, prep cook vs fry cook overview

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Fry Cook
Yearly salary	$32,982	$30,622
Hourly rate	$15.86	$14.72
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	164,756	246,323
Job satisfaction	4	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	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 fry cook do?

Generally, a fry cook works in a kitchen specializing in fried foods and operating the deep fryer. Fry cooks or chefs cook food by submerging in boiling oil. They prepare food to be fried, work with frying pans, and watch over deep fryers. The skills they need to establish include food preparation, dexterity, physical stamina, and comprehension. They are also expected to be understanding and patient, noting that these qualities help impress the customers.

Line cook, prep cook vs fry cook salary

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Fry Cook
Average salary	$32,982	$30,622
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Fresno, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN	Anthony
Best paying industry	Retail	Hospitality

Differences between line cook, prep cook and fry cook education

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Fry Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Line cook, prep cook vs fry cook demographics

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Fry Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%	Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2%
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, 10.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between line cook, prep cook and fry 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.

Fry cook example responsibilities.

Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
Grill burgers and used the deep fryers for various foods, clean all equipment at the end of the shift.
Bread and cook chicken, fry foods, run and clean fryers, clean coolers, do dishes general utilities.
Job responsibilities include preparing and executing dishes, as well as assuming responsibility for cleanliness of restaurant.
Provide friendly, quality, customer service to each Chipotle customer.

Line cook, prep cook vs fry 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 fry cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 23%
Customer Service, 11%
Safety Standards, 10%
Deep-Fat Fryers, 9%
Food Products, 5%
Fine Dining, 5%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Line Cook, Prep Cook
Line Cook, Prep Cook vs Fry Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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