How much does a Ready cook make

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Ready cook

30 800 kr

Machine operators, meat and fish processing industry

28 500 - 33 300 kr / month

Women earn 106% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Ready cook

Average salary 30 800 kr
Males 30 400 kr
Females 32 300 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 6 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Ready Meal Producer do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Ready Meal Producer primarily works within the food industry, often in factories or larger production facilities where ready meals are produced in large volumes. Tasks include monitoring and controlling machines for cooking, packaging, and quality control of finished dishes. It is common to be responsible for proper handling of raw materials, compliance with hygiene standards, and ensuring machinery functions optimally throughout the production process. The work environment is often fast-paced, with shift work and sometimes heavy lifting, where safety and precision are central.

Salary development over time

The salary for Ready Meal Producers has shown steady growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 28,500 SEK per month. In 2023, the salary increased to 29 800 SEK, representing an approximate 4.6% increase. In 2024, the average salary continues to rise and is now 30 800 SEK, a further increase of about 3.4% compared to the previous year. This positive trend can partly be explained by increased demand for convenient food solutions, changing consumption habits, and some skills shortage in the industry. At the same time, wage development has been influenced by inflation and collective agreement adjustments, contributing to a gradually improved salary level for the profession.

Ready Meal Producer salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 30 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 28,500 SEK/month (male, vocational education 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 33,300 SEK/month (male, vocational education up to 2 years)
  • Hourly wage: 185 SEK
  • Women: 32 300 SEK/month (106% of men's salary)
  • Men: 30 400 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Salary ranges vary between regions and sectors, with some regional sectors often paying higher wages.

Education and qualifications

To work as a Ready Meal Producer, a vocational upper secondary education in food production or industry is usually required. Practical experience in the food industry is often advantageous, and many employers offer in-house training to ensure employees meet hygiene and safety standards. Some employers may also require specific certificates or training in food handling.

  • Vocational education: Food program, 3 years
  • Certificates: Hygiene training and HACCP can be advantageous
  • Internships: Workplace-based learning during education is common
  • Experience: Previous work in food production facilitates employment
  • Courses: Short courses in machine handling or food safety

Many Ready Meal Producers quickly take responsibility for supervising new colleagues and act as a link between production and quality control. For those who enjoy working with both technology and food, there are often opportunities to develop into leadership roles within production.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Ready Meal Producers are often offered collective agreement benefits such as shift allowances, wellness grants, and occupational pension. Many workplaces also provide access to staff cafeterias, work attire, and regular health checks. Opportunities for further training or internal skill development within the company are common.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a Ready Meal Producer is assessed as moderate, with a balanced recruitment situation nationally. Over a five-year horizon, demand is expected to decrease partly due to increased automation and technological development in the food industry. This may lead to changes in tasks and higher demands for technical skills and adaptability. At the same time, the transition means that those who quickly learn new machines and processes often have an advantage in the job market. For those seeking long-term security, continuous further education and keeping up with industry developments are important.

Tips for aspiring Ready Meal Producers

To succeed as a Ready Meal Producer, it is good to combine accuracy with a willingness to learn new technical skills. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing tasks make it easier to thrive in the often fast-paced environment. A structured approach helps when multiple tasks run in parallel, and good teamwork skills are crucial for smooth production. Showing responsibility and taking initiative are appreciated by employers, especially regarding maintaining order and following safety routines. Those interested in machines and food production have good opportunities to develop within the profession. Finally, patience and problem-solving skills are advantageous, as unexpected issues can arise during production.

Key facts about Ready Meal Producers

  • Education level: Vocational upper secondary education
  • Work environment: Factory or larger production facility, often shift work
  • Typical employment: Full-time, sometimes shift work
  • Demand: Moderate, but expected to decrease over five years
  • Special skills: Machine handling and food hygiene

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Ready Meal Producer, it is common to advance to roles such as team leader, production manager, or quality inspector within the food industry. Some choose to specialize in machine maintenance or food safety, while others continue with further education to broaden their opportunities. According to the Employment Service's forecasts, the job market is balanced in the short term, but demand is expected to decline over five years due to automation and efficiency improvements. Despite this, there are still over 1,400 job openings nationwide. For those who continually develop their skills and are willing to take responsibility, there are good chances to advance within the industry, especially where technological development is rapid.

Frequently asked questions about Ready Meal Producers

  • What does a Ready Meal Producer earn?
    - The average salary is 30 800 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, education, and region.
  • What are the salary differences between men and women?
    - Women earn an average of 32 300 SEK, which is 106% of men's average salary of 30 400 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a Ready Meal Producer?
    - Vocational upper secondary education within the food program is most common, often supplemented with internships and certifications.
  • What are the future prospects for Ready Meal Producers?
    - According to the Employment Service, job opportunities are moderate, but demand may decrease in the long term due to automation.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Yes, salary ranges vary between regions, with some areas and sectors paying higher wages than others.
  • What are the career paths?
    - Common career paths include team leader, production manager, quality inspector, or further education within the food industry.
  • What personal qualities are valued in a Ready Meal Producer?
    - Attention to detail, flexibility, responsibility, and teamwork skills are important qualities in the profession.
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Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-08-09 18:55:14

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Ready cook is 33300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 32700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Ready cook is 28500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 31400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 28100 kr 31500 kr
25-34 117% 27200 kr 29400 kr
35-44 108% 28200 kr 30200 kr
45-54 103% 29400 kr 31100 kr
55-64 92% 32300 kr 34100 kr
Snitt 106% 28700 kr 30800 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Ready cook has the SSYK code 8161, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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