Third cook vs line cook, prep cook

The differences between third 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 third cook and a line cook, prep cook. Additionally, a third cook has an average salary of $33,974, which is higher than the $32,982 average annual salary of a line cook, prep cook.

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

Third cook vs line cook, prep cook overview

	Third Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$33,974	$32,982
Hourly rate	$16.33	$15.86
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	137,854	164,756
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 37%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Third cook vs line cook, prep cook salary

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

	Third Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average salary	$33,974	$32,982
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $41,000	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 third cook and line cook, prep cook education

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

	Third Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 37%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Third cook vs line cook, prep cook demographics

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

	Third Cook	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 63.0% Female, 37.0%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 8.4% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	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 third cook and line cook, prep cook duties and responsibilities

Third cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Maintain and follow proper hygiene and sanitation standards.

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.

Third cook vs line cook, prep cook skills

Common third cook skills

Food Preparation, 31%
Kitchen Equipment, 29%
Culinary, 25%
HACCP, 15%
Kitchen Line, 0%

Common line cook, prep cook skills

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

Third Cook vs. similar jobs

Third Cook related careers

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Third Cook vs Line Cook, Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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