How much does a Chef make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Chef
Image that illustrates Chef

Chef

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 Chef

Average salary 37 400 kr
Males 37 700 kr
Females 36 800 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 77 Vacant jobs ->

What does a head chef do? – Responsibilities and work environment

A head chef is responsible for the overall operations in a restaurant's kitchen and plays a central role in leading the kitchen team. The work includes practical and administrative tasks such as menu planning, ordering ingredients, ensuring quality and hygiene, and supervising cooks and kitchen assistants. The head chef collaborates closely with the restaurant manager and often has budget and personnel responsibilities. The work environment is fast-paced and can sometimes be stressful, especially during lunch and dinner services, but is also characterized by teamwork and creativity.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for head chefs has fluctuated with some variations. In 2022, the average salary was 35,800 SEK per month, which increased to 38 800 SEK in 2023, a rise of approximately 8.4%. Between 2023 and 2024, the average salary has decreased to 37 400 SEK, corresponding to a decline of about 3.6%. These fluctuations may be due to changes in demand, economic shifts within the restaurant industry, and variations in employment types and labor market structure. Despite these fluctuations, the profession remains above the industry average, reflecting the responsibilities and qualifications required for the role.

Head chef 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
  • Men earn: 37,700 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 36,800 SEK/month (98% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: No specific data available

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a head chef typically involves completing a culinary program at the high school level or equivalent adult education, followed by several years of practical experience in kitchens. Leadership skills and broad competence in cooking, hygiene, and work management are central qualifications. Formal education is often supplemented with courses in specialized areas and internships, where both technical skills and teamwork are developed.

  • Restaurant and Food Program: High school education, 3 years
  • Vocational college: 1–2 years, often with specialization in kitchen management
  • Internship and work experience: Several years in various kitchen roles
  • Leadership courses: Meritorious for management roles
  • Hygiene and food safety training: Often required by employers

Many head chefs have a background as cooks and have worked their way up by demonstrating culinary skill and leadership. Taking initiative and showing responsibility can accelerate the path to a head chef position, especially at smaller restaurants where opportunities for advancement are often greater.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In addition to the base salary, head chefs often have access to benefits such as evening and weekend work allowances, staff meals, wellness contributions, and sometimes bonuses linked to the kitchen's performance. Opportunities for further training, work clothing, and skill development are common, especially at larger workplaces.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a head chef is relatively high in many areas, but there is also a paradoxical recruitment situation where many leave the profession, and employers report difficulty finding experienced candidates. The industry’s fast pace, irregular hours, and demands for both leadership and culinary expertise contribute to turnover. For those with the right skills and experience, job opportunities are good, but the work environment can be demanding and requires high stress tolerance and teamwork skills.

Tips for aspiring head chefs

To succeed as a head chef, it is important to combine perseverance with a strong desire to develop oneself and the team. Being meticulous with kitchen routines and flexible to changes is crucial, as the work often involves quick shifts and unexpected challenges. Good communication skills help create a pleasant working environment and make it easier to lead and motivate kitchen staff. Staying updated on new food trends and techniques also provides an advantage, while problem-solving skills and creativity enable handling both routine and urgent situations. Finally, patience is key, as the path to a head chef role often requires several years of experience and continuous skill development.

Key facts about Head Chefs

  • Education level: High school culinary program or vocational college
  • Work environment: Fast-paced, often stressful but creative and team-oriented
  • Work form: Full-time, often evening and weekend work
  • Demand: Great opportunities nationwide
  • Special skills: Leadership, menu planning, hygiene, and finance

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a head chef can advance to overall kitchen manager, restaurant manager, or consulting within the restaurant industry. Some choose to start their own restaurant or specialize in areas such as sustainable gastronomy or education. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts, job opportunities are plentiful, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, although recruitment remains challenging due to high staff turnover. Currently, there are 123 job openings in the profession of head chefs and sous chefs, indicating a continued strong job market.

Frequently asked questions about Head Chefs

  • What does a head chef earn?
    - The average salary for a head chef is 37 400 SEK per month.
  • What are the salary differences between men and women?
    - Men earn on average 37,700 SEK, women 36,800 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a head chef?
    - Typically, a high school culinary program or vocational college and several years of experience in kitchens are required.
  • Are there many job openings for head chefs?
    - Yes, currently there are 123 job openings within the profession of head chefs and sous chefs.
  • What are the future prospects for head chefs?
    - Job opportunities are plentiful, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for head chefs?
    - The highest salary is 40,000 SEK and the lowest is 36,800 SEK.
  • What personal qualities are important for a head chef?
    - Leadership, stress resilience, teamwork skills, and creativity are central qualities for the profession.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 16:29:34

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Chef 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 Chef 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
* 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 Chef has the SSYK code 3451, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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