Master cook vs pantry cook

The differences between master cooks and pantry 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 pantry cook. Additionally, a master cook has an average salary of $34,732, which is higher than the $33,568 average annual salary of a pantry cook.

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

Master cook vs pantry cook overview

	Master Cook	Pantry Cook
Yearly salary	$34,732	$33,568
Hourly rate	$16.70	$16.14
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	149,906	145,348
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 39%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Master cook vs pantry cook salary

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

	Master Cook	Pantry Cook
Average salary	$34,732	$33,568
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $45,000	Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between master cook and pantry cook education

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

	Master Cook	Pantry Cook
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 39%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Master cook vs pantry cook demographics

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

	Master Cook	Pantry Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%	Male, 56.8% Female, 43.2%
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, 8.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 8.8% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between master cook and pantry 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.

Pantry cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Use of meat slicers, oven and stove.
Monitor garnishing of desserts and salads for plating.
Handle mixing machines and deli slicers per health regulations.
Maintain all HACCP sanitation guidelines on a daily basis.
Perform culinary skills such as cooking, prepping, and cleaning.

Master cook vs pantry cook skills

Common master cook skills

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

Common pantry cook skills

Food Handling, 20%
Cleanliness, 18%
Kitchen Equipment, 18%
Quality Standards, 16%
Fine Dining, 7%
Salad Dressings, 4%

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Master Cook vs Pantry Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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