Image that illustrates Confectioner

Confectioner

31 800 kr

Bakers and pastry chefs

30 900 - 33 300 kr / month

Women earn 93% of what men do.

Hantverksyrken

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Confectioner

Average salary 31 800 kr
Males 33 300 kr
Females 30 900 kr

What does a pastry chef do? – Tasks and work environment

A pastry chef creates and decorates baked goods such as cakes, pastries, cookies, chocolates, and other sweets. The work involves both classic and modern techniques in baking and confectionery, where precision and attention to detail are crucial. Many pastry chefs work in bakeries, pastry shops, cafes, hotels, or restaurants, but there are also positions within the food industry. The work environment is often fast-paced and may involve early mornings and work during weekends and holidays, especially during large orders or festive seasons. Creativity and the ability to work under pressure are important qualities in the profession.

Salary development over time

The salary for pastry chefs has increased steadily but relatively modestly over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,300 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 31 100 SEK in 2023 and further up to 31 800 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of about 8% over the three-year period. This trend reflects stable but slow improvement in salary conditions, which can be explained by economic downturns in the industry, an oversupply of labor, and relatively low demand for new pastry chefs. Despite the small increase, salary growth is somewhat dampened compared to other craft professions, likely due to competition and low margins in bakery and café sectors.

Many pastry chefs specialize in unique techniques such as chocolate art or sugar work, which can open doors to competitions and international collaborations. Creativity and craftsmanship are often as important as baking itself in the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Pastry chef salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 31 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 30,900 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 33,300 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 191 SEK
  • Women earn: 30,900 SEK (93% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 33,300 SEK
  • Regional differences: No specific data, but metropolitan areas tend to offer slightly higher salaries.

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a pastry chef usually involves completing the Food Program at upper secondary school with specialization in bakery and pastry arts, but there are also adult education and vocational courses. Practical experience is crucial, as well as a good sense for craftsmanship and the ability to work carefully and creatively. Increasingly, employers also seek specialized skills in allergy adaptations, chocolate, or decoration.

  • High school education: Food Program, specialization in bakery and pastry arts (3 years)
  • Adult education/YH: Vocational adult education or university college, often 1–2 years
  • Internship: Often included in the training with several internship periods
  • Certification/courses: Opportunities for specialized courses in, for example, chocolate, sugar work, or gluten-free baking
  • Prerequisites: Basic education, sometimes work samples

Common benefits and compensations

Pastry chefs are often offered meal allowances, staff discounts at stores or cafes, and collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension and insurance. Shift work and irregular hours may provide additional compensation. Larger workplaces may also include wellness allowances and opportunities for skills development.

Competition and challenges

The labor market for pastry chefs is characterized by an oversupply of trained workers, making it difficult to find permanent positions immediately after training. According to the Employment Service's forecast, demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, with limited opportunities nationwide. Competition is especially noticeable in metropolitan regions where many seek the profession. Challenges in the profession also include physically demanding tasks, long working days, and high pace, especially during seasonal peaks.

Tips for aspiring pastry chefs

To succeed as a pastry chef, it is important to have a genuine passion for craftsmanship and an eye for detail, as precision is crucial for both taste and appearance. Being resilient and stress-tolerant is vital, as workdays are often long and intense. Creativity and curiosity help develop new recipes and decorations, which are appreciated by employers and customers alike. Working in a structured and careful manner increases the chances of delivering high quality even under pressure. Flexibility and teamwork skills facilitate collaboration and handling rapid changes in the work environment. Finally, staying updated on industry trends and actively seeking further education can strengthen your competitiveness.

Key facts about Pastry Chefs

  • Education pathway: High school or adult education with practical training
  • Work environment: Fast-paced, often early mornings and weekend work
  • Job market: Oversupply of labor, limited job opportunities
  • Number of job openings: 341 advertised positions nationwide
  • Special skills: Chocolate, sugar work, allergy adaptations

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years in the profession, a pastry chef can advance to team leader, product developer, or start their own business in the bakery and pastry industry. Specializations such as chocolate, sugar work, or gluten-free baking offer opportunities for higher responsibility and more qualified tasks. According to the Employment Service's forecast, future prospects are unchanged, with limited job opportunities and a continued oversupply of labor. Despite the competition, there is always room for skilled and innovative pastry chefs, especially in niche segments and entrepreneurship.

Frequently asked questions about Pastry Chefs

  • What is the average salary of a pastry chef?
    - A pastry chef has an average salary of 31 800 SEK per month.
  • What are the lowest and highest salaries for a pastry chef?
    - The lowest salary is 30,900 SEK and the highest salary is 33,300 SEK.
  • How big is the salary difference between men and women?
    - Women earn 93% of men's salaries, which corresponds to 30,900 SEK compared to 33,300 SEK for men.
  • What is the job market like for pastry chefs?
    - There is a surplus of labor and limited job opportunities according to national forecasts.
  • What education is required to become a pastry chef?
    - Most commonly, the Food Program at upper secondary school or adult education with specialization in bakery and pastry arts.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Salary variations may occur, with metropolitan areas often offering slightly higher salaries.
  • What career paths are available for pastry chefs?
    - Team leader, product developer, specialization, or owning a business are common paths after some experience.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Confectioner is 33300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 31700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Confectioner is 30900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 33300 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 28700 kr 32100 kr
35-44 29700 kr 32400 kr
45-54 31600 kr 33400 kr
Snitt 93% 29800 kr 31800 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 Confectioner has the SSYK code 7612, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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31 377
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