Master cook vs pastry cook

The differences between master cooks and pastry 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 pastry cook. Additionally, a pastry cook has an average salary of $34,858, 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 pastry cook are culinary, cleanliness, and food handling.

Master cook vs pastry cook overview

	Master Cook	Pastry Cook
Yearly salary	$34,732	$34,858
Hourly rate	$16.70	$16.76
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	149,906	136,754
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 51%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Master cook vs pastry cook salary

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

	Master Cook	Pastry Cook
Average salary	$34,732	$34,858
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $45,000	Between $27,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Sailfish Club of Florida
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between master cook and pastry cook education

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

	Master Cook	Pastry Cook
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 51%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	Cornell University

Master cook vs pastry cook demographics

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

	Master Cook	Pastry Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%
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, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 51.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between master cook and pastry 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.

Pastry cook example responsibilities.

Manage cold kitchen production for a luxury hotel with a Michelin star restaurant
Clean steamers, hot @ cold line.
Serve customers ordering at the bistro.
Work in dining room during Sunday brunch and buffets serving desserts.
Engage in meetings including an annual board presentation of USDA budget.
Focuse on maintaining budget while meeting USDA and BSA nutrition requirements.

Master cook vs pastry cook skills

Common master cook skills

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

Common pastry cook skills

Culinary, 17%
Cleanliness, 10%
Food Handling, 10%
Quality Standards, 7%
Fine Dining, 6%
Food Safety, 6%

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Master Cook vs Pastry Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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