Line cook, prep cook vs prep cook/dishwasher

The differences between line cooks, prep cook and prep 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 prep cook/dishwasher. Additionally, a line cook, prep cook has an average salary of $32,982, which is higher than the $31,687 average annual salary of a prep cook/dishwasher.

The top three skills for a line cook, prep cook include kitchen equipment, food handling and culinary. The most important skills for a prep cook/dishwasher are wash dishes, food preparation equipment, and dishwashers.

Line cook, prep cook vs prep cook/dishwasher overview

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Yearly salary	$32,982	$31,687
Hourly rate	$15.86	$15.23
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	164,756	126,351
Job satisfaction	4	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 57%
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 prep cook/dishwasher do?

A prep cook and dishwasher is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen items and utensils, and performing basic cooking tasks under the supervision of chefs or cooks. It is also their responsibility to prepare ingredients by washing, chopping, weighing, and ensuring that they are the correct quantity and quality. Furthermore, a prep cook and dishwasher may also have to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen, clear tables, monitor inventory of ingredients in storage, coordinate with the kitchen staff, and meet all health standards and policies.

Line cook, prep cook vs prep cook/dishwasher salary

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average salary	$32,982	$31,687
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN	Seattle Seahawks
Best paying industry	Retail	Retail

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

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Line cook, prep cook vs prep cook/dishwasher demographics

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

	Line Cook, Prep Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%	Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%
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, 8.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between line cook, prep cook and prep 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.

Prep cook/dishwasher example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Operate many kitchen appliances and machines including fryers, grinders, food processors, mixers, and slicers.
Perform basic cooking duties such as operate fryers as well as assist cooks in any way need with entrees.
Receive, prepare and plate orders using commercial grills, fryers, ovens and stoves in a quick and consistent manner.
Prep food items and refrigerate appropriately, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, wash all dishes associate with the daily operations
Operate a dishwasher for a hospital cafeteria.

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

Wash Dishes, 42%
Food Preparation Equipment, 10%
Dishwashers, 8%
Kitchen Equipment, 4%
Cooking Equipment, 3%
Line Cooks, 3%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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