Image that illustrates Dietitian

Dietitian

41 600 kr

Large household supervisors

36 400 - 45 400 kr / month

Hotell, restaurang

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Dietitian

Average salary 41 600 kr
Males 0 kr
Females 42 400 kr

What does a Head of Catering do? – Tasks and work environment

A Head of Catering is responsible for leading and developing operations within large-scale kitchens and public meal environments, such as schools, healthcare, or larger companies. Tasks include menu planning, purchasing raw materials, budget management, and staff leadership. The role also involves ensuring that nutritious and sustainable meals are served while keeping costs within budget. The work environment is often dynamic and can be both administrative and operational, as a Head of Catering often moves between office work and kitchen activities.

Salary development over time

The salary development for Head of Catering has been relatively stable in recent years, with a clear increase between 2023 and 2024. In 2022, the average salary was 40,000 SEK, followed by a slight decrease to 39 900 SEK in 2023. Subsequently, the salary increased significantly to 41 600 SEK in 2024, which corresponds to an increase of about 4.3% from the previous year. This trend can partly be explained by increased demand for qualified Head of Catering professionals in the public sector, as well as rising emphasis on sustainability, special diets, and leadership. The market is also influenced by the education level of practitioners, where post-secondary education often leads to higher salaries and more career opportunities.

Head of Catering salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 41 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 36,400 SEK/month (men), 36,600 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 45,400 SEK/month (men), 43,200 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 250 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn an average of 42 400 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Data varies, but higher salaries are often found in metropolitan regions

Education and qualifications

To work as a Head of Catering, a post-secondary education in food science, dietetics, or similar fields is typically required, often at university level. In addition to formal education, experience from large-scale kitchens, leadership, and financial management is valued. Industry-specific courses and certifications in food hygiene and special diets are also advantageous. Internships and trainee programs can provide valuable insight into the role and facilitate the transition into working life.

  • Post-secondary education: At least 3 years in food science, dietetics, or similar
  • Certifications: Courses in food hygiene, special diets, and nutrition
  • Internships: Recommended during studies
  • Leadership experience: Meritorious for managing larger teams
  • Industry-specific courses: Provide an advantage in recruitment

Head of Catering plays an important role in promoting sustainable eating habits within organizations and communities. By working strategically with menus and ingredient choices, they can influence both public health and the environment. Being a Head of Catering often means being a change leader in issues related to food waste, nutritional quality, and sustainable development.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Head of Catering is often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, subsidized meals, professional development, and flexible working hours. In the public sector, attractive pension agreements and opportunities for further education are also common. Company cars and extra vacation days may be included depending on the employer and employment type.

Challenges and competition

The competition for positions as Head of Catering is moderate, with a stable number of available jobs in the profession. Challenges in the role often involve balancing high demands for nutritional quality and special diets with limited budgets. Changing eating habits and increased demands for sustainability mean that the role is constantly evolving. Digitalization and new technological tools also require ongoing skills development. Workload can be high, especially during organizational changes or periods of staff shortages.

Tips for aspiring Head of Catering

To succeed as a Head of Catering, it is good to combine leadership skills with a genuine interest in food and health. Being organized facilitates daily work with planning and budgeting, while strong communication skills are essential for leading teams and collaborating with other departments. Flexibility helps handle rapid changes in operations, and analytical ability makes it easier to optimize procurement and resources. A strong commitment to sustainable development and a desire for continuous learning also provide competitive advantages in the job market.

Key facts about Head of Catering

  • Educational level: Post-secondary education (at least 3 years)
  • Typical work environment: Public sector, large kitchens, and school cafeterias
  • Demand: 123 registered jobs in Sweden
  • Special skills: Leadership, meal planning, nutrition science

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years as a Head of Catering, opportunities exist to advance to senior management roles within meal services, such as operations manager or regional manager within larger organizations. It is also common for experienced Head of Catering professionals to move into consultancy or pursue further education in areas like food economics or leadership. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the outlook is good, mainly due to increased focus on sustainability and special diets, as well as retirements within the profession. The demand for qualified Head of Catering professionals is expected to remain stable in the coming years, especially in the public sector and larger private companies.

Frequently asked questions about Head of Catering

  • What does a Head of Catering earn?
    - The average salary is 41 600 SEK per month, but it varies based on experience, education, and sector.
  • What education is required to become a Head of Catering?
    - A post-secondary education in food science, dietetics, or similar is required, often at least 3 years.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn an average of 42 400 SEK, but specific data on men is not available for the average.
  • What does the job market look like for Head of Catering?
    - There is a stable number of available positions, with 123 jobs registered in Sweden.
  • What are the responsibilities of a Head of Catering?
    - Responsible for staff management, menu planning, procurement, budgeting, and quality assurance of meals.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Leadership, organization, flexibility, communication, and interest in sustainable development are key.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Dietitian is 45400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 43200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Dietitian is 36400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 36600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
Snitt 41400 kr 41600 kr
Salary per sector
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.


Default Avatar

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 Dietitian has the SSYK code 3452, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest
    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden
    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes