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Prep cook/dishwasher vs food prep/dishwasher

The differences between prep cook/dishwashers and food prep/dishwashers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a prep cook/dishwasher has an average salary of $31,687, which is higher than the $29,964 average annual salary of a food prep/dishwasher.

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

Prep cook/dishwasher vs food prep/dishwasher overview

Prep Cook/DishwasherFood Prep/Dishwasher
Yearly salary$31,687$29,964
Hourly rate$15.23$14.41
Growth rate16%2%
Number of jobs126,351113,200
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 58%
Average age3837
Years of experience4-

What does a prep cook/dishwasher do?

A prep cook and dishwasher is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen items and utensils, and performing basic cooking tasks under the supervision of chefs or cooks. It is also their responsibility to prepare ingredients by washing, chopping, weighing, and ensuring that they are the correct quantity and quality. Furthermore, a prep cook and dishwasher may also have to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen, clear tables, monitor inventory of ingredients in storage, coordinate with the kitchen staff, and meet all health standards and policies.

What does a food prep/dishwasher do?

A food prep/dishwasher's role is to perform food preparation and cleaning duties in a kitchen, under the supervision and directives of a chef or manager. One of their primary responsibilities is washing dishes, sanitizing utensils, and preparing ingredients by washing, peeling, and cutting them according to size. They may also participate in organizing, sorting, and putting them in proper storage. There are also instances when they have to perform basic cooking tasks ranging from boiling and frying to baking. Furthermore, a food prep/dishwasher may have the duty of maintaining the kitchen's cleanliness and other areas.

Prep cook/dishwasher vs food prep/dishwasher salary

Prep cook/dishwashers and food prep/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Prep Cook/DishwasherFood Prep/Dishwasher
Average salary$31,687$29,964
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $39,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companySeattle SeahawksUniversity of Wisconsin System
Best paying industryRetailProfessional

Differences between prep cook/dishwasher and food prep/dishwasher education

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

Prep Cook/DishwasherFood Prep/Dishwasher
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 58%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsGeneral Studies
Most common college--

Prep cook/dishwasher vs food prep/dishwasher demographics

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

Prep Cook/DishwasherFood Prep/Dishwasher
Average age3837
Gender ratioMale, 80.1% Female, 19.9%Male, 79.9% Female, 20.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 6.9% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

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

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.
  • Show more

Food prep/dishwasher example responsibilities.

  • Prep food items and refrigerate appropriately, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, wash all dishes associate with the daily operations
  • Operate industrial dishwasher ensuring sanitation of all dishes.
  • Operate dishwasher keep kitchen clean organize and sanitize.
  • Take proper care of ranges, ovens, broilers, fryers, griddles, utensils and other equipment.
  • Gain knowledge of how to use kitchen tools such as blenders, fryers, coffee maker, and food processor.
  • Make smoothies, clean up after every smoothie, clean whole store, prep fruits and juices
  • Show more

Prep cook/dishwasher vs food prep/dishwasher skills

Common prep cook/dishwasher skills
  • Wash Dishes, 42%
  • Food Preparation Equipment, 10%
  • Dishwashers, 8%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 4%
  • Cooking Equipment, 3%
  • Line Cooks, 3%
Common food prep/dishwasher skills
  • Food Preparation Equipment, 17%
  • Work Ethic, 17%
  • Wash Dishes, 14%
  • Cleanliness, 10%
  • Food Service, 9%
  • Dishwashers, 8%

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