How much does a Chinese cook make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Chinese cook
Image that illustrates Chinese cook

Chinese cook

31 400 kr

Chefs and cold buffet managers

27 100 - 44 700 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Hotell, restaurang

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Chinese cook

Average salary 31 400 kr
Males 31 900 kr
Females 30 900 kr
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What does a Chinese chef do? – Tasks and work environment

A Chinese chef is responsible for preparing Chinese dishes according to traditional and modern recipes, often with high demands on both taste and presentation. Tasks include handling raw materials, preparations, cooking various dishes, menu planning, and coordination in the kitchen. The role often involves a fast pace, especially during lunch and evenings, and collaboration with other kitchen staff is crucial to ensure quality and efficiency. The work environment is characterized by warmth, noise, and sometimes stress, but also creativity and the opportunity to influence the guest’s culinary experience.

Salary development over time

The salary for a Chinese chef has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 29,000 SEK per month, increasing to 30 700 SEK in 2023 and further to 31 400 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 8.3% during the period. The salary development reflects an increased demand for qualified chefs with specialization, while competition for labor in the restaurant industry has led to higher wages. The trend indicates that skills and experience are highly valued, benefiting Chinese chefs who pursue further education and specialization.

Chinese chef salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 31 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,100 SEK/month (female, pre-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 44,700 SEK/month (male, public sector, post-secondary education)
  • Hourly wage: 189 SEK
  • Average salary for women: 30 900 SEK (97% of men's average salary)
  • Average salary for men: 31 900 SEK
  • Regional differences: Data varies depending on region and employer, but generally salaries in larger cities are somewhat higher.

Education and qualifications

To work as a Chinese chef, a basic culinary education is usually required, often supplemented with specialized courses in Chinese cooking techniques and ingredients. Practical experience in a restaurant kitchen is valuable, and many employers also look for the ability to handle a high pace and collaborate with colleagues. For those wishing to advance, further training in Asian cuisine is an advantage.

  • Basic culinary education: Vocational restaurant and food service training, approx. 3 years
  • Specialized courses: Chinese cooking, often 1–2 semesters
  • Internship: Workplace-based learning during training
  • Experience: Previous work in a restaurant kitchen, preferably with an Asian focus
  • Further education: Opportunities for specialization via vocational colleges or private courses

Many Chinese chefs develop their own signature dishes that become the restaurant's hallmark and attract repeat guests. Creativity and the ability to adapt classic recipes to local ingredients are often key to success in the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Benefits for Chinese chefs vary depending on the employer, but it is common to have staff meals, overtime pay for evening and weekend work, and opportunities for training and development. Some workplaces also offer wellness allowances and discounts on food or drinks.

Competition and challenges

The job market for Chinese chefs is characterized by high demand, but also high staff turnover and recruitment difficulties. Finding qualified personnel with the right specialization can be challenging, sometimes leading employers to offer higher wages or better conditions to attract the right skills. The profession often involves working during inconvenient hours and a high pace, which demands both physical endurance and stress resilience. For those wishing to establish themselves and advance their careers, continuous skill development and openness to new influences in cooking are important.

Tips for aspiring Chinese chefs

To succeed as a Chinese chef, having a genuine interest in Chinese cuisine and a strong desire to learn new techniques is beneficial. Precision is crucial, especially when handling ingredients and spices, and good teamwork skills facilitate work in the often busy kitchen. Flexibility and adaptability are important traits, as tasks can vary greatly from day to day. Showing creativity by taking initiatives for new dishes or improving existing menus is appreciated by employers and guests alike. Engagement and responsibility contribute to creating a pleasant work environment and good results. It is also advantageous to communicate clearly with colleagues and have patience in stressful situations. Finally, a willingness to continuously develop and absorb new influences provides the best foundation for a long and successful career as a Chinese chef.

Key facts about Chinese chefs

  • Education level: Vocational restaurant education with specialization options
  • Work environment: Intense restaurant kitchen with high pace
  • Work schedule: Shift work, often evenings and weekends
  • Demand: High, 123 job openings in the profession
  • Special skills: Chinese cooking techniques and ingredient handling

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, there are opportunities to advance to head chef, sous-chef, or start your own Chinese restaurant. Some choose to further specialize in regional Chinese cuisines or work as consultants in the restaurant industry. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the demand for cooks and cold kitchen staff remains high and is expected to stay unchanged over the next five years. The recruitment situation is characterized by difficulty in finding the right competence, which benefits Chinese chefs with solid education and experience. The industry’s development indicates good future prospects for those who want to build a career or start their own business in the restaurant sector.

Frequently asked questions about Chinese chefs

  • What is the average salary of a Chinese chef?
    - A Chinese chef has an average salary of 31 400 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women who are Chinese chefs?
    - Yes, men earn on average 31 900 SEK while women earn 30 900 SEK, which means women have approximately 97% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a Chinese chef?
    - Usually, a vocational culinary education with specialization in Chinese cuisine is required.
  • What does the job market look like for Chinese chefs?
    - Demand is high, and there are currently 123 job openings in the profession.
  • What development opportunities are available for Chinese chefs?
    - Good opportunities to advance to head chef, start your own restaurant, or further specialize.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a Chinese chef?
    - The highest salary is 44,700 SEK and the lowest is 27,100 SEK per month, depending on education, sector, and gender.
  • Do Chinese chefs mostly work evenings and weekends?
    - Yes, shift work with evenings and weekends is common in the profession.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 00:27:44

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Chinese cook is 44700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 34800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Chinese cook is 27100 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 29000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 96% 27800 kr 29600 kr
25-34 96% 30500 kr 32000 kr
35-44 94% 30800 kr 31800 kr
45-54 97% 30200 kr 30900 kr
55-64 99% 30900 kr 31500 kr
65-68 95% 31400 kr 31900 kr
Snitt 97% 30400 kr 31400 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 Chinese cook has the SSYK code 5120, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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