Meal cook vs prep cook/dishwasher

The differences between meal cooks and prep cook/dishwashers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a meal cook and a prep cook/dishwasher. Additionally, a meal cook has an average salary of $33,089, which is higher than the $31,687 average annual salary of a prep cook/dishwasher.

The top three skills for a meal cook include food safety, food preparation and companionship. The most important skills for a prep cook/dishwasher are wash dishes, food preparation equipment, and dishwashers.

Meal cook vs prep cook/dishwasher overview

	Meal Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Yearly salary	$33,089	$31,687
Hourly rate	$15.91	$15.23
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	147,104	126,351
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Meal cook vs prep cook/dishwasher salary

Meal cooks and prep cook/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Meal Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average salary	$33,089	$31,687
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $41,000	Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Seattle Seahawks
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between meal cook and prep cook/dishwasher education

There are a few differences between a meal cook and a prep cook/dishwasher in terms of educational background:

	Meal Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Meal cook vs prep cook/dishwasher demographics

Here are the differences between meal cooks' and prep cook/dishwashers' demographics:

	Meal Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 32.0% Female, 68.0%	Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 7.5% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between meal cook and prep cook/dishwasher duties and responsibilities

Meal cook example responsibilities.

Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
Assist with heavy lifting and drive car to help with groceries and other supplies.
Verify patient information, new medications and allergies educate patients by providing medication and diet information.
Create pizzas for customers as listed or request and run a large pizza oven.

Prep cook/dishwasher example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Operate many kitchen appliances and machines including fryers, grinders, food processors, mixers, and slicers.
Perform basic cooking duties such as operate fryers as well as assist cooks in any way need with entrees.
Receive, prepare and plate orders using commercial grills, fryers, ovens and stoves in a quick and consistent manner.
Prep food items and refrigerate appropriately, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, wash all dishes associate with the daily operations
Operate a dishwasher for a hospital cafeteria.

Meal cook vs prep cook/dishwasher skills

Common meal cook skills

Food Safety, 29%
Food Preparation, 22%
Companionship, 10%
Doctor Appointments, 8%
Food Orders, 6%
Administer Medications, 5%

Common prep cook/dishwasher skills

Wash Dishes, 42%
Food Preparation Equipment, 10%
Dishwashers, 8%
Kitchen Equipment, 4%
Cooking Equipment, 3%
Line Cooks, 3%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Meal Cook
Meal Cook vs Prep Cook/Dishwasher

Updated January 8, 2025

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