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Master chef vs prep chef

The differences between master chefs and prep 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 prep chef. Additionally, a master chef has an average salary of $42,525, which is higher than the $25,941 average annual salary of a prep chef.

The top three skills for a master chef include dinner service, food products and cuisine. The most important skills for a prep chef are kitchen equipment, dishes, and cleanliness.

Master chef vs prep chef overview

Master ChefPrep Chef
Yearly salary$42,525$25,941
Hourly rate$20.44$12.47
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs26,51752,624
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%High School Diploma, 31%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Master chef vs prep chef salary

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

Master ChefPrep Chef
Average salary$42,525$25,941
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $68,000Between $17,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between master chef and prep chef education

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

Master ChefPrep Chef
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%High School Diploma, 31%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeDrexel UniversityDrexel University

Master chef vs prep chef demographics

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

Master ChefPrep Chef
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 66.8% Female, 33.2%Male, 67.1% Female, 32.9%
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, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 10.2% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between master chef and prep 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.

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
  • Show more

Master chef vs prep chef skills

Common master chef skills
  • Dinner Service, 32%
  • Food Products, 24%
  • Cuisine, 24%
  • Food Service, 12%
  • BBQ, 9%
Common prep chef skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 33%
  • Dishes, 30%
  • Cleanliness, 18%
  • Food Service, 10%
  • Dinner Service, 2%
  • Prep List, 1%

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