Prep cook/dishwasher vs pantry cook

The differences between prep cook/dishwashers 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 prep cook/dishwasher and a pantry cook. Additionally, a pantry cook has an average salary of $33,568, which is higher than the $31,687 average annual salary of a prep cook/dishwasher.

The top three skills for a prep cook/dishwasher include wash dishes, food preparation equipment and dishwashers. The most important skills for a pantry cook are food handling, cleanliness, and kitchen equipment.

Prep cook/dishwasher vs pantry cook overview

	Prep Cook/Dishwasher	Pantry Cook
Yearly salary	$31,687	$33,568
Hourly rate	$15.23	$16.14
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	126,351	145,348
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	Associate Degree, 39%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Prep cook/dishwasher vs pantry cook salary

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

	Prep Cook/Dishwasher	Pantry Cook
Average salary	$31,687	$33,568
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Seattle Seahawks	-
Best paying industry	Retail	-

Differences between prep cook/dishwasher and pantry cook education

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

	Prep Cook/Dishwasher	Pantry Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	Associate Degree, 39%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Prep cook/dishwasher vs pantry cook demographics

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

	Prep Cook/Dishwasher	Pantry Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%	Male, 56.8% Female, 43.2%
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, 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 prep cook/dishwasher and pantry 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.

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.

Prep cook/dishwasher vs pantry 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 pantry cook skills

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

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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