Snack bar cook vs line cook, prep cook

The differences between snack bar 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 snack bar 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 $31,636 average annual salary of a snack bar cook.

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

Snack bar cook vs line cook, prep cook overview

	Snack Bar Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$31,636	$32,982
Hourly rate	$15.21	$15.86
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	157,590	164,756
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Snack bar cook vs line cook, prep cook salary

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

	Snack Bar Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average salary	$31,636	$32,982
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $38,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between snack bar cook and line cook, prep cook education

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

	Snack Bar Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Snack bar cook vs line cook, prep cook demographics

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

	Snack Bar Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 62.7% Female, 37.3%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 8.4% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	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 snack bar cook and line cook, prep cook duties and responsibilities

Snack bar cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Answer phones and run cash register.
Grill variety of foods, fryers, pizza, pretzels, and prepping for meals.
Adjust thermostat control to regulate temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, roasters and steam kettles.
Review orders and presentation for minimal mistakes and cleanliness.
Leverage teamwork to fully utilize kitchen staff to generate remarkable food and service to ensure customer satisfaction.

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.

Snack bar cook vs line cook, prep cook skills

Common snack bar cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 18%
Cleanliness, 17%
Culinary, 14%
Food Handling, 12%
Quality Standards, 6%
Safety Standards, 6%

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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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Snack Bar Cook
Snack Bar Cook vs Line Cook, Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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