Career comparison
Line Cook vs. Short-Order Cook
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Line cooks earn more at the median ($37,390 vs. $35,880), while line cooks usually get to work faster (1–6 months on the job of training). Line cooks cook dishes to order on a busy restaurant line. Short-order cooks cook quick orders like eggs, burgers and sandwiches at diners and cafés.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Line Cook | Short-Order Cook | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $37,390 ($17.98/hr) | $35,880 ($17.25/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $28,700 – $47,900 | $23,440 – $46,460 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +12.1% (much faster than average) | -5.2% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 218,600 | 17,400 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 1–6 months on the job | A few days on the job |
| Key credential | Food handler card | Food handler card |
| Work setting | Line cooks work in hot, crowded kitchens with open flames, hot oil and sharp knives. | Cooks work at diners, cafés, bars and counters.. |
What each job does
Line Cook
- Prep ingredients for the station before service
- Cook dishes to order following recipes
- Plate food to presentation standards
- Communicate with the expediter and other cooks
- Monitor food temperatures and quality
Short-Order Cook
- Cook orders
- Run the griddle
- Read tickets
- Time multiple orders
- Plate food
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, a fast pace, and shift work. Both are part of the hospitality, food & tourism field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose line cook if…
- I like cooking
- I work fast under pressure
- I like teamwork
Choose short-order cook if…
- I can juggle many orders
- I work fast
- I like breakfast food
Still torn? Take the Line Cook fit quiz and the Short-Order Cook fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, line cook or short-order cook?
Line Cooks earn more at the median: $37,390 versus $35,880 for short-order cooks, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Line Cooks typically train faster (1–6 months on the job) than short-order cooks (A few days on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects line cooks to grow +12.1% from 2025–35, compared with -5.2% for short-order cooks.