Image that illustrates Catering manager

Catering manager

37 400 kr

Head chefs and sous chefs

36 800 - 40 000 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Hotell, restaurang

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Catering manager

Average salary 37 400 kr
Males 37 700 kr
Females 36 800 kr

What does a Catering Manager do? – Tasks and working environment

A Catering Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating catering operations at events, conferences, companies, and larger private gatherings. Tasks include menu planning, purchasing ingredients, staff management, quality assurance, and customer contact. The role requires good organizational skills as it often involves managing multiple projects simultaneously with high demands on service and flexibility. The working environment varies between kitchens, offices, and on-site at customer locations, involving both administrative and practical tasks, as well as periods of high tempo, especially during larger events.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salaries for Catering Managers have shown some variation. In 2022, the average salary was 35,800 SEK per month, increasing to 38 800 SEK in 2023, a growth of approximately 8%. In 2024, the average salary has been adjusted downward slightly to 37 400 SEK, which is a decrease of about 3.6% from the previous year. This fluctuation may be due to changes in demand, market adjustments, and increased competition for leadership positions within the industry. Despite the recent decline, the salary level for the profession has increased over a three-year period, and stability is also influenced by factors such as education level, experience, and geographic location.

Catering Manager salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 37 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 36,800 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 40,000 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 225 SEK
  • Women: 36,800 SEK/month
  • Men: 37,700 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 98% of what men do

Education and qualifications

To work as a Catering Manager, a combination of relevant education and experience from restaurant or large-scale kitchen operations is usually required. Many have a high school education in hospitality and food service, supplemented with further training or specialized courses in leadership and economics. Practical experience in kitchen work and personnel management is often crucial for reaching a managerial level.

  • Formal education: High school diploma in hospitality and food service (3 years)
  • Further education: Courses in leadership, economics, and work management
  • Practical experience: Experience as kitchen assistant, chef, or sous-chef
  • Certifications: Food hygiene and work environment certifications can be advantageous
  • Prerequisites: Good knowledge of Swedish and preferably English

A Catering Manager often works with events of highly varied character, from small private gatherings to large corporate parties or festivals. It requires the ability to quickly switch between different types of planning and problem-solving, making the profession both challenging and diverse.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Common benefits for Catering Managers include workplace meals, wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes bonus or performance-based compensation. Access to further training, flexible working hours, and leadership development opportunities are also available within larger organizations and hotel chains.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as Catering Manager is intense, especially in metropolitan areas where many seek leading roles in the restaurant and event industry. The profession is characterized by high demands for flexibility, problem-solving skills, and stress resilience, particularly during larger events. Recruitment difficulties are reported, as many leave the profession after a few years, and it is challenging to find candidates with the right combination of leadership and kitchen experience. However, demand is expected to remain unchanged, meaning good employment prospects are available for those with the right skills.

Tips for aspiring Catering Managers

To succeed as a Catering Manager, it’s important to combine leadership skills with organizational talent and a strong sense of service. Good planning skills are essential to handle multiple projects simultaneously and ensure all details fall into place. Communication skills facilitate cooperation with both clients and staff, while flexibility helps adapt to last-minute changes. Being solution-oriented is also a big advantage, as unforeseen problems often arise during events. Finally, a strong work ethic and the ability to take initiative are highly valued, often leading to greater responsibility and career opportunities within the industry.

Key facts about Catering Managers

  • Education level: High school diploma in hospitality and food service
  • Work environment: Varied – kitchens, offices, and event settings
  • Demand: Great opportunities nationwide
  • Work type: Often permanent full-time employment
  • Special skills: Leadership, planning, and service

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as a Catering Manager, there are opportunities to advance to head of kitchen, restaurant manager, or start your own catering and event business. According to the Employment Service’s forecasts for the professions of head chef and sous-chef, job opportunities are plentiful, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. Paradoxically, many leave the profession, leading to a shortage of experienced candidates. This creates good opportunities for those with the right skills and experience to quickly take on leadership roles. Currently, there are 123 available jobs in the profession, further highlighting the demand.

Frequently asked questions about Catering Managers

  • What does a Catering Manager earn?
    - A Catering Manager has an average salary of 37 400 SEK per month.
  • What are the differences between men and women?
    - Men earn an average of 37,700 SEK, while women earn 36,800 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a Catering Manager?
    - Usually, a high school education in hospitality and food service along with experience in kitchen operations and leadership.
  • Are there significant regional salary differences?
    - Salary levels can vary depending on geographic area, but the national average salary is 37 400 SEK.
  • What career opportunities does a Catering Manager have?
    - Opportunities include advancing to head chef, restaurant manager, or starting your own business within the industry.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - The Employment Service assesses that job opportunities are plentiful and demand will remain unchanged over the next five years.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Catering manager is 40000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 36800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Catering manager is 36800 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 37700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 35200 kr 36000 kr
35-44 38700 kr 39900 kr
45-54 35600 kr 36400 kr
Snitt 98% 36500 kr 37400 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Catering manager has the SSYK code 3451, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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