Station cook vs prep cook

The differences between station cooks and prep 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 station cook and a prep cook. Additionally, a station cook has an average salary of $33,980, which is higher than the $32,292 average annual salary of a prep cook.

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

Station cook vs prep cook overview

	Station Cook	Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$33,980	$32,292
Hourly rate	$16.34	$15.53
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	136,427	168,265
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Station cook vs prep cook salary

Station cooks and prep cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Station Cook	Prep Cook
Average salary	$33,980	$32,292
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $42,000	Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Kemps
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between station cook and prep cook education

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

	Station Cook	Prep Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Station cook vs prep cook demographics

Here are the differences between station cooks' and prep cooks' demographics:

	Station Cook	Prep Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9%	Male, 61.3% Female, 38.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 7.5% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	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%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between station cook and prep cook duties and responsibilities

Station cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Filter and boil out fryers.
Share responsibilities with culinary supervisors on weekly food orders and assist in completing restaurant temperature charts nightly.
Maintain and follow proper hygiene and sanitation standards.

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.

Station cook vs prep cook skills

Common station cook skills

Culinary, 53%
Cold Station, 16%
Food Handling, 8%
Kitchen Equipment, 6%
Fine Dining, 3%
Slicers, 2%

Common prep cook skills

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

Station Cook vs. similar jobs

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Station Cook
Station Cook vs Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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