Specialty cook vs prep cook/dishwasher

The differences between specialty cooks and prep cook/dishwashers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a specialty cook and a prep cook/dishwasher. Additionally, a specialty cook has an average salary of $33,829, which is higher than the $31,687 average annual salary of a prep cook/dishwasher.

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

Specialty cook vs prep cook/dishwasher overview

	Specialty Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Yearly salary	$33,829	$31,687
Hourly rate	$16.26	$15.23
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	141,369	126,351
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Specialty cook vs prep cook/dishwasher salary

Specialty cooks and prep cook/dishwashers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Specialty Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average salary	$33,829	$31,687
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $42,000	Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Vancouver, WA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Washington
Best paying company	Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics	Seattle Seahawks
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Retail

Differences between specialty cook and prep cook/dishwasher education

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

	Specialty Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Specialty cook vs prep cook/dishwasher demographics

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

	Specialty Cook	Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 77.4% Female, 22.6%	Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 9.0% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	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%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

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

Specialty cook example responsibilities.

Work grill, saut, & expediter stations.
Complete culinary tasks using various cooking methods and techniques/ very good knife handling skills.
Work all stations, saut, grill, pantry, fryer, breakfast, in upscale American bistro.
Maintain cleanliness and a sanitary environment within kitchen area to meet all health and safety requirements.
Unload and store groceries and supplies.
Maintain balance inventories of groceries and supplies.

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.

Specialty cook vs prep cook/dishwasher skills

Common specialty cook skills

Food Handling, 23%
Culinary, 16%
Kitchen Equipment, 16%
Cuisine, 12%
Food Quality, 7%
Fine Dining, 5%

Common prep cook/dishwasher skills

Wash Dishes, 42%
Food Preparation Equipment, 10%
Dishwashers, 8%
Kitchen Equipment, 4%
Cooking Equipment, 3%
Line Cooks, 3%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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