Line cook, prep cook vs line cook/dishwasher

The differences between line cooks, prep cook and line cook/dishwashers 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 line cook/dishwasher. Additionally, a line cook/dishwasher has an average salary of $34,435, 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 line cook/dishwasher are food handling, cleanliness, and dishwashers.

Line cook, prep cook vs line cook/dishwasher overview

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Line Cook/Dishwasher
Yearly salary	$32,982	$34,435
Hourly rate	$15.86	$16.56
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	164,756	133,370
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 54%
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 line cook/dishwasher do?

A line cook/dishwasher is primarily in charge of prepping food and maintaining their work station's cleanliness while adhering to health standards and protocols. Among their duties include washing and chopping vegetables, cutting meat according to requirements, preparing sauces, and cooking according to an executive chef's directives. They also participate in cleaning and sterilizing kitchen tools and equipment, monitoring the inventory of ingredients, unloading stock deliveries, and taking care of leftovers. Additionally, as a line cook/dishwasher, it is essential to maintain an open communication line with fellow kitchen staff for an efficient workflow.

Line cook, prep cook vs line cook/dishwasher salary

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Line Cook/Dishwasher
Average salary	$32,982	$34,435
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN	-
Best paying industry	Retail	-

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

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Line Cook/Dishwasher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 54%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Line cook, prep cook vs line cook/dishwasher demographics

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Line Cook/Dishwasher
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%	Male, 84.2% Female, 15.8%
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, 8.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 8.1% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

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

Line cook/dishwasher example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Maintain superb conditions of all grills, fryers, prep areas, and work spaces in the kitchen.
Have to follow certain steps for battering prior to cooking, and use a timer for the fryers for fry.
Leverage teamwork to fully utilize kitchen staff to generate remarkable food and service to ensure customer satisfaction.
Operate dishwasher to fully sanitize incoming dishes and silverware.
Prepare food items with special attention to individual orders concerning allergies and temperatures.

Line cook, prep cook vs line cook/dishwasher 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 line cook/dishwasher skills

Food Handling, 35%
Cleanliness, 32%
Dishwashers, 25%
Kitchen Equipment, 3%
Culinary, 2%
Line Cooks, 1%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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