Prep cook vs line cook, prep cook

The differences between prep cooks and line cooks, prep cook 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 and a line cook, prep cook. Additionally, a line cook, prep cook has an average salary of $32,982, which is higher than the $32,292 average annual salary of a prep cook.

The top three skills for a prep cook include food handling, culinary and sanitation standards. The most important skills for a line cook, prep cook are kitchen equipment, food handling, and culinary.

Prep cook vs line cook, prep cook overview

	Prep Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$32,292	$32,982
Hourly rate	$15.53	$15.86
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	168,265	164,756
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

What does a prep cook do?

Prep cooks are responsible for preparing ingredients. They are usually part of an assembly line-like structure in the kitchen. They are often the first station in this assembly line. Prep cooks are in charge of thawing, skinning, cutting, mincing, slicing, and chopping ingredients so that the line cooks can just get these ingredients for their own stations. Prep cooks may also start doing some of the initial activities in the cooking process, such as preparing water for boiling, laying out ingredients, and ensuring that the stoves are clear.

What does a line cook, prep cook do?

A line cook/prep cook is responsible for assisting with food preparations, ensuring that all ingredients are readily available and stored safely. Line cook/prep cook tasks also include reviewing and updating menus to keep the customers' patronization. Their duties also include researching the current food industry trends, managing customers' inquiries, resolving serving complaints, monitoring food supplies and inventories, and complying with sanitary regulations. A line cook/prep cook must have excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills to perform various tasks under strict time demands and a fast-paced environment.

Prep cook vs line cook, prep cook salary

Prep cooks and line cooks, prep cook have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Prep Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average salary	$32,292	$32,982
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	Kemps	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Retail

Differences between prep cook and line cook, prep cook education

There are a few differences between a prep cook and a line cook, prep cook in terms of educational background:

	Prep Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Prep cook vs line cook, prep cook demographics

Here are the differences between prep cooks' and line cooks, prep cook' demographics:

	Prep Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 61.3% Female, 38.7%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.6% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between prep cook and line cook, prep cook duties and responsibilities

Prep cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Provide students with first-rate customer service and ensure correct time-temperature control of culinary dishes.
Learned and become CPR certify for emergencies.
Direct and ensure that HACCP procedures are follow.
Plan menu items as needed for caf or catering.
Earn first aid, CPR, and a certification.

Line cook, prep cook example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Prepare cold foods, operate ovens, stoves, grills, microwaves, and fryers.
Expedite orders while maintaining food being cook in ovens, griddles, stoves and fryers.
Observe and test foods to determine quality and safety by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and fryers.
Set up and break down for any catering parties or buffets.
Cook foods by baking, roasting, broiling, frying, steaming, grilling.

Prep cook vs line cook, prep cook skills

Common prep cook skills

Food Handling, 15%
Culinary, 15%
Sanitation Standards, 12%
Kitchen Equipment, 9%
Cleanliness, 7%
Team Work, 7%

Common line cook, prep cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 25%
Food Handling, 11%
Culinary, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Salad Station, 6%
Line Cooks, 6%

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Prep Cook vs Line Cook, Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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