Line cook, prep cook vs lead line cook

The differences between line cooks, prep cook and lead line 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 lead line cook. Additionally, a lead line cook has an average salary of $34,293, 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 lead line cook are kitchen equipment, culinary, and fine dining.

Line cook, prep cook vs lead line cook overview

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Lead Line Cook
Yearly salary	$32,982	$34,293
Hourly rate	$15.86	$16.49
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	164,756	173,672
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	Associate Degree, 47%
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 lead line cook do?

Typically, lead line cooks work under the supervision of a chef or head cook in a kitchen. Leadline cooks oversee the food preparation process from start to end. Their duties include the supervision of kitchen staff, recruitment and training of new kitchen employees, and monitoring of food quality. They comply with the sanitation and nutrition regulations of food as well as their safety standards. They should be knowledgeable and have skills in food preparation, customer service, attention to detail, and communication.

Line cook, prep cook vs lead line cook salary

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Lead Line Cook
Average salary	$32,982	$34,293
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Kirkland, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN	The Culinary Institute of America
Best paying industry	Retail	Hospitality

Differences between line cook, prep cook and lead line cook education

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Lead Line Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	Associate Degree, 47%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Line cook, prep cook vs lead line cook demographics

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Lead Line Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%	Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 8.9% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between line cook, prep cook and lead line 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.

Lead line cook example responsibilities.

Manage food expo; facilitate food temp logs; creation of menu specials; management and supervision of production staff
Skil in the preparation of a variety of culinary styles ranging from contemporary American cuisine to many international culinary styles.
Train and supervise many of the Spanish- speaking dishwashers to work effectively on the line.
Observe workers engage in preparing, portioning, and garnishing foods to ensure that standards are met.
Follow HACCP system, and practice safety and sanitation as well adhere to the company policies and regulations.
Produce HACCP forms and guidelines to have better awareness of quality of food being produce in the kitchen.

Line cook, prep cook vs lead line 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 lead line cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 20%
Culinary, 11%
Fine Dining, 9%
Cleanliness, 8%
Food Handling, 8%
Customer Service, 7%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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