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Master chef vs line chef

The differences between master chefs and line 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 a line chef. Additionally, a master chef has an average salary of $42,525, which is higher than the $26,651 average annual salary of a line chef.

The top three skills for a master chef include dinner service, food products and cuisine. The most important skills for a line chef are kitchen equipment, sanitation standards, and food handling.

Master chef vs line chef overview

Master ChefLine Chef
Yearly salary$42,525$26,651
Hourly rate$20.44$12.81
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs26,517144,227
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 34%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Master chef vs line chef salary

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

Master ChefLine Chef
Average salary$42,525$26,651
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $68,000Between $18,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Chicopee, MA
Highest paying state-New Hampshire
Best paying company-Syracuse University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between master chef and line chef education

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

Master ChefLine Chef
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 34%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeDrexel UniversityStanford University

Master chef vs line chef demographics

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

Master ChefLine Chef
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 66.8% Female, 33.2%Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between master chef and line 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.

Line chef example responsibilities.

  • Manage food expo; facilitate food temp logs; creation of menu specials; management and supervision of production staff
  • Clean stoves, ovens, shrowds, floors, stainless steel tables.
  • Prepare food for special groups including those who have eating disorders or allergies.
  • Close down the kitchen after each shift, making sure all BOH staff follow closing checklist for kitchen stations.
  • Maintain highest level of cleanliness and sanitation
  • Maintain company and government standards of preparation, safety and cleanliness.
  • Show more

Master chef vs line chef skills

Common master chef skills
  • Dinner Service, 32%
  • Food Products, 24%
  • Cuisine, 24%
  • Food Service, 12%
  • BBQ, 9%
Common line chef skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 16%
  • Sanitation Standards, 11%
  • Food Handling, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Broilers, 7%

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