Post job

Master chef vs assistant chef

The differences between master chefs and assistant chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a master chef and an assistant chef. Additionally, a master chef has an average salary of $42,525, which is higher than the $37,670 average annual salary of an assistant chef.

The top three skills for a master chef include dinner service, food products and cuisine. The most important skills for an assistant chef are kitchen equipment, safety standards, and culinary.

Master chef vs assistant chef overview

Master ChefAssistant Chef
Yearly salary$42,525$37,670
Hourly rate$20.44$18.11
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs26,51718,054
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 32%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Master chef vs assistant chef salary

Master chefs and assistant chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.

Master ChefAssistant Chef
Average salary$42,525$37,670
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $68,000Between $22,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City-Atlantic City, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Ncar - The National Center For Atmospheric Research
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between master chef and assistant chef education

There are a few differences between a master chef and an assistant chef in terms of educational background:

Master ChefAssistant Chef
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 32%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeDrexel UniversityStanford University

Master chef vs assistant chef demographics

Here are the differences between master chefs' and assistant chefs' demographics:

Master ChefAssistant Chef
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 66.8% Female, 33.2%Male, 71.4% Female, 28.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 12.4% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 11.0% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between master chef and assistant chef duties and responsibilities

Master chef example responsibilities.

  • Integrate key culinary leaders into casino and food and beverage operations, achieving positive results and industry awards.
  • Serve American traditional cuisine in a family, shared-plate orientation while providing excellent customer service and mingling with high priority customers.
  • Specialize in Italian, Mediterranean and French/Classical bistro establishments.

Assistant chef example responsibilities.

  • Direct daily activity of staff (prep cook, dishwashers and wait staff), and receive and manage inventory.
  • Manage food inventory and assist chefs with menu development.
  • Attain a broad knowledge of ingredient functionality in diverse culinary applications and comfort in a culinary setting.
  • Learned the cuisine and intricacies of Tuscan style cooking as well as the influences from other regions.
  • Prep vegetables and meat for chefs, wash and dry dishes, cups, and utensils, and stock new shipments.
  • Maintain cleanliness and ensure proper preparation of orders.
  • Show more

Master chef vs assistant chef skills

Common master chef skills
  • Dinner Service, 32%
  • Food Products, 24%
  • Cuisine, 24%
  • Food Service, 12%
  • BBQ, 9%
Common assistant chef skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 14%
  • Safety Standards, 13%
  • Culinary, 12%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Compassion, 7%
  • Kitchen Sanitation, 6%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs