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The differences between line cooks, prep cook and line chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a line cook, prep cook, becoming a line chef takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a line cook, prep cook has an average salary of $32,982, which is higher than the $26,651 average annual salary of a line chef.
The top three skills for a line cook, prep cook include kitchen equipment, food handling and culinary. The most important skills for a line chef are kitchen equipment, sanitation standards, and food handling.
| Line Cook, Prep Cook | Line Chef | |
| Yearly salary | $32,982 | $26,651 |
| Hourly rate | $15.86 | $12.81 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 15% |
| Number of jobs | 164,756 | 144,227 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 38 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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.
Line Chefs are in charge of cooking or preparing meat, vegetables, soup, and other ingredients according to area guidelines. Their responsibilities include managing and supervising kitchen staff, coordinating with fellow chefs, replenishing supply inventories, and setting-up cooking areas, ensuring adequate and high-quality ingredients. Among their other usual tasks involve cutting vegetables and meat, preparing sauces, and resolving issues should any arise. Moreover, they must maintain their designated area's cleanliness, all while enforcing and adhering to the health and sanitation standards.
Line cooks, prep cook and line chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Cook, Prep Cook | Line Chef | |
| Average salary | $32,982 | $26,651 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $40,000 | Between $18,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Chicopee, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN | Syracuse University |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Education |
There are a few differences between a line cook, prep cook and a line chef in terms of educational background:
| Line Cook, Prep Cook | Line Chef | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between line cooks, prep cook' and line chefs' demographics:
| Line Cook, Prep Cook | Line Chef | |
| Average age | 38 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% |
| 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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |