How much does a Cook make

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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 Cook

Average salary 31 400 kr
Males 31 900 kr
Females 30 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 254 Vacant jobs ->

What does a chef do? – Tasks and work environment

Chefs primarily work with planning, preparing, and cooking food within restaurants, large kitchens, hotels, or catering services. Tasks include menu creation, handling raw materials, and ensuring hygiene and quality according to regulations. A chef often works in teams and is responsible for serving food on time and to high standards. The work environment is characterized by a fast pace, time pressure, and physical demands, as workdays are often long and involve a lot of standing and movement. Working hours can vary, with evening and weekend work being common.

Salary development over time

The salary development for chefs has been positive over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 29,000 SEK per month, rising to 30 700 SEK in 2023, which is an increase of approximately 5.9%. In 2024, the average salary has continued to rise and now amounts to 31 400 SEK, representing an additional growth of just over 2.3% from the previous year. This salary increase reflects a continued high demand for skilled chefs, with industry challenges such as recruitment and labor shortages driving up wages. Salaries are also influenced by factors such as education level, experience, and geographic location of the workplace. The trend indicates that the profession continues to be highly valued, especially for those with specialized skills or experience in larger kitchens.

Chef salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 31 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,100 SEK/month (female with pre-secondary education, various sectors)
  • Highest salary: 44,700 SEK/month (male, public sector, post-secondary education)
  • Hourly wage (average): 189 SEK/hour
  • Women earn: 30 900 SEK/month
  • Men earn: 31 900 SEK/month
  • Women earn on average: 97% of men's salary

The chef profession offers opportunities for creativity and innovation, where new food trends and flavors often take center stage. Those interested in developing their own recipes or working with locally produced ingredients have a great chance to make their mark on the kitchen's offerings.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

To work as a chef, a high school education in restaurant and food is usually required, but adult education or vocational colleges are also options. Practical experience and an interest in cooking are valuable assets, as well as the ability to collaborate and work under time pressure. Many employers also value certifications in food hygiene and allergen management.

  • High school education: Restaurant and Food Program, 3 years
  • Adult education/Vocational: Chef training, 1–2 years
  • Certifications: Food hygiene, allergens
  • Internship: Often a mandatory part of the education
  • Experience: Work experience in kitchens is advantageous

Common benefits and compensations

Many chefs are entitled to evening and weekend supplements, as well as staff meals during shifts. Other common benefits include wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes training or inspiration days to develop professional skills. Some workplaces also offer bonuses or extra vacation for long and loyal service.

Competition and challenges

The group of chefs and cold kitchen staff is characterized by a paradoxical recruitment situation where there is both a labor shortage and a relatively high unemployment rate. Many employers struggle to find experienced chefs, especially in larger kitchens or specialized restaurants, while recent graduates face tough competition for the most attractive positions. The work is physically demanding and often involves irregular hours, which can make it challenging to balance with family life or hobbies. The industry also experiences some staff turnover, with many leaving the profession after a few years. However, those who enjoy and develop within the profession have good opportunities for advancement or specialization.

Tips for aspiring chefs

To succeed as a chef, it's beneficial to be curious, persistent, and resilient. A genuine interest in food and a desire to learn new techniques make it easier to develop within the profession, while precision is crucial for maintaining high quality and hygiene standards. Practicing working structurally under time pressure helps manage hectic periods, and a positive attitude contributes to a good atmosphere in the kitchen. Social skills and teamwork are important qualities, as kitchen work is often team-based. Those who show engagement and take responsibility often gain greater freedom and opportunities to handle more advanced tasks. Being flexible and adaptable also facilitates changes in the work environment or menu.

Key facts about Chef

  • Education level: High school or adult education
  • Typical work environment: Restaurant, large kitchen, hotel, or catering
  • Work form: Shift work with evenings and weekends
  • Demand: Great job opportunities according to the Employment Service
  • Special skills: Food hygiene and allergens

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, there are opportunities to advance to head chef, sous chef, or managing larger kitchens and staff. Some chefs choose to further their education in areas such as dietary food, special diets, or leadership to broaden their career options. Forecasts from the Employment Service show that job opportunities for chefs and cold kitchen staff are expected to be strong in both the short and long term. Demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, although recruitment challenges include a shortage of experienced personnel and high staff turnover. There are also good opportunities to work abroad or start your own restaurant business. Currently, there are 123 job openings in the chef and cold kitchen group.

Common questions about Chefs

  • What is the average salary of a chef?
    - A chef has an average salary of 31 400 SEK per month.
  • How much does an hourly-paid chef earn?
    - The hourly wage for a chef is on average 189 SEK.
  • Are there salary differences between genders?
    - Yes, women earn 30 900 SEK while men earn 31 900 SEK, which means women earn 97% of men's salary.
  • What education is required to become a chef?
    - The most common education is a high school program in restaurant and food, but adult education is also possible.
  • What are the future prospects for chefs?
    - Job opportunities are plentiful, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a chef?
    - The highest salary is 44,700 SEK and the lowest is 27,100 SEK per month.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 01:41:23

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a 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 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 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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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

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