Line cook, prep cook vs prep chef

The differences between line cooks, prep cook and prep 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 prep 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 $25,941 average annual salary of a prep chef.

The top three skills for a line cook, prep cook include kitchen equipment, food handling and culinary. The most important skills for a prep chef are kitchen equipment, dishes, and cleanliness.

Line cook, prep cook vs prep chef overview

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Prep Chef
Yearly salary	$32,982	$25,941
Hourly rate	$15.86	$12.47
Growth rate	16%	15%
Number of jobs	164,756	52,624
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 31%
Average age	38	42
Years of experience	4	6

Line cook, prep cook vs prep chef salary

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Prep Chef
Average salary	$32,982	$25,941
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $17,000 And $39,000
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 prep chef education

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Prep Chef
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	Drexel University

Line cook, prep cook vs prep chef demographics

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Prep Chef
Average age	38	42
Gender ratio	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%	Male, 67.1% Female, 32.9%
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, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 10.2% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	6%	9%

Differences between line cook, prep cook and prep chef 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.

Prep chef example responsibilities.

Manage a kitchen of military personal and Japanese civilian chefs.
Work using fryers, boilers, grill, ovens, steamers, mixers.
Instruct new employees in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, and presentation of food.
Maintain highest level of cleanliness and sanitation.
Maintain cleanliness of station, ensuring sanitary conditions.
Create and prepare international cuisine for executive clientele by using ingenuity, organization, efficiency in production and attention to detail

Line cook, prep cook vs prep chef 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 prep chef skills

Kitchen Equipment, 33%
Dishes, 30%
Cleanliness, 18%
Food Service, 10%
Dinner Service, 2%
Prep List, 1%

Line Cook, Prep Cook vs. similar jobs

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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