Prep cook/dishwasher vs fry cook

The differences between prep cook/dishwashers and fry 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 prep cook/dishwasher and a fry cook. Additionally, a prep cook/dishwasher has an average salary of $31,687, which is higher than the $30,622 average annual salary of a fry cook.

The top three skills for a prep cook/dishwasher include wash dishes, food preparation equipment and dishwashers. The most important skills for a fry cook are kitchen equipment, customer service, and safety standards.

Prep cook/dishwasher vs fry cook overview

	Prep Cook/Dishwasher	Fry Cook
Yearly salary	$31,687	$30,622
Hourly rate	$15.23	$14.72
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	126,351	246,323
Job satisfaction	4	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

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 fry cook do?

Generally, a fry cook works in a kitchen specializing in fried foods and operating the deep fryer. Fry cooks or chefs cook food by submerging in boiling oil. They prepare food to be fried, work with frying pans, and watch over deep fryers. The skills they need to establish include food preparation, dexterity, physical stamina, and comprehension. They are also expected to be understanding and patient, noting that these qualities help impress the customers.

Prep cook/dishwasher vs fry cook salary

Prep cook/dishwashers and fry cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Prep Cook/Dishwasher	Fry Cook
Average salary	$31,687	$30,622
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Fresno, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	Seattle Seahawks	Anthony
Best paying industry	Retail	Hospitality

Differences between prep cook/dishwasher and fry cook education

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

	Prep Cook/Dishwasher	Fry Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Prep cook/dishwasher vs fry cook demographics

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

	Prep Cook/Dishwasher	Fry Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%	Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between prep cook/dishwasher and fry cook 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.

Fry cook example responsibilities.

Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
Grill burgers and used the deep fryers for various foods, clean all equipment at the end of the shift.
Bread and cook chicken, fry foods, run and clean fryers, clean coolers, do dishes general utilities.
Job responsibilities include preparing and executing dishes, as well as assuming responsibility for cleanliness of restaurant.
Provide friendly, quality, customer service to each Chipotle customer.

Prep cook/dishwasher vs fry cook 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 fry cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 23%
Customer Service, 11%
Safety Standards, 10%
Deep-Fat Fryers, 9%
Food Products, 5%
Fine Dining, 5%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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