Master cook vs lead cook

The differences between master cooks and lead cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a master cook and a lead cook. Additionally, a lead cook has an average salary of $35,964, which is higher than the $34,732 average annual salary of a master cook.

The top three skills for a master cook include kitchen equipment, customer service and culinary. The most important skills for a lead cook are customer service, food handling, and culinary.

Master cook vs lead cook overview

	Master Cook	Lead Cook
Yearly salary	$34,732	$35,964
Hourly rate	$16.70	$17.29
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	149,906	160,223
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 35%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Master cook vs lead cook salary

Master cooks and lead cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Master Cook	Lead Cook
Average salary	$34,732	$35,964
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $45,000	Between $27,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Freeport-McMoRan
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between master cook and lead cook education

There are a few differences between a master cook and a lead cook in terms of educational background:

	Master Cook	Lead Cook
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 35%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Master cook vs lead cook demographics

Here are the differences between master cooks' and lead cooks' demographics:

	Master Cook	Lead Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%	Male, 72.6% Female, 27.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 9.5% White, 51.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 9.4% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between master cook and lead cook duties and responsibilities

Master cook example responsibilities.

Inventory and run register, check merchandise in when arrive in facility.
Mentore cooks and other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, and presentation of food.
Contribute innovated ideas for new and unique cuisine and presentation techniques.
Maintain and follow proper hygiene and sanitation standards.

Lead cook example responsibilities.

Manage food expo; facilitate food temp logs; creation of menu specials; management and supervision of production staff
Manage inventory and purchasing of groceries.
Operate standard cooking equipment including slicers, food choppers, fryers, refrigerators, ovens and stoves.
Operate ovens, stoves, grills, microwaves, turbo chefs, and fryers.
Use and clean commercial ovens, meat slicers, steamers, combination ovens and steam kettles.
Operate ovens, stoves, grills, microwaves, kettles, and tilt skillet.

Master cook vs lead cook skills

Common master cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 19%
Customer Service, 18%
Culinary, 12%
Food Quality, 7%
Food Products, 6%
Cooking Techniques, 5%

Common lead cook skills

Customer Service, 14%
Food Handling, 14%
Culinary, 11%
Food Service, 11%
Kitchen Equipment, 7%
Math, 5%

Master Cook vs. similar jobs

Master Cook related careers

Master Cook related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Master Cook
Master Cook vs Lead Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs