How much does a Food engineer make

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Food engineer

43 600 kr

Engineers and technicians in chemistry and chemical engineering

31 900 - 45 100 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Food engineer

Average salary 43 600 kr
Males 44 000 kr
Females 43 300 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 33 Vacant jobs ->

What does a food engineer do? – Tasks and work environment

A food engineer works on developing, improving, and ensuring the quality of foods and related processes. Common tasks include product development, raw material analysis, process optimization, and ensuring that food products meet applicable legal requirements and quality standards. Food engineers are often employed in industry but can also work at research institutes, government agencies, or consulting firms. The work environment varies between laboratories, offices, and production facilities, combining practical and analytical work.

Salary development over time

The salary development for food engineers has shown a steady upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 40,200 SEK per month, rising to 42 500 SEK in 2023 and further to 43 600 SEK in 2024. This increase corresponds to a total salary rise of approximately 8.5% over the period. The salary trend reflects an increased demand for engineers with technical and chemical engineering skills in the food sector, as well as a greater focus on innovation and sustainability in the industry. Despite some variation depending on sector and education level, the trend indicates that the profession is valued more highly, especially in the private sector.

Food engineer salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 43 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,900 SEK/month (female, public sector, 3+ years of education)
  • Highest salary: 45,100 SEK/month (male, private sector, <3 years of education)
  • Hourly wage: 262 SEK
  • Women: 43,300 SEK (98% of men's salary)
  • Men: 44 000 SEK
  • Regional differences: Data missing

Education and qualifications

To work as a food engineer, a university or master's degree in food technology, chemical engineering, or a related field is usually required. The education includes both theoretical and practical components, often with laboratory work and internship periods. The specialization can vary depending on the university and individual choices, and additional courses in quality assurance or food hygiene are often advantageous.

  • Formal degree: Bachelor's or master's degree in food technology (3–5 years)
  • Certifications: Courses in food safety and quality assurance
  • Internship: Recommended during studies for industry experience
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility and specific requirements in mathematics, chemistry, and biology
  • Tips for choosing: Select programs with a clear connection to the food industry and internship opportunities

Food engineers often play a central role in driving sustainability initiatives and developing new green products – a unique opportunity to influence both the environment and public health on a systemic level.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In addition to salary, food engineers are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, occupational pension, and opportunities for skill development. Many employers in the food industry also provide subsidized lunches, insurance, and extra vacation days, especially for longer-term employment or managerial positions. Opportunities for remote work may also exist, particularly for administrative or project-based tasks.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a food engineer is moderate to high, depending on the region and employer. Since the profession requires specialized education and combines technical knowledge with practical problem-solving, it is important to stay updated with rapid industry developments. Challenges may include certification requirements, high expectations for quality and safety, and the need to quickly adapt to new technologies and regulations. Limited data for labor market forecasts makes it difficult to predict future competition, but the ongoing technological development in the food sector indicates continued demand for skilled engineers.

Tips for aspiring food engineers

To succeed as a food engineer, it is beneficial to combine analytical skills with curiosity and an interest in technology and natural sciences. Being thorough during studies and taking the initiative to undertake internships provides valuable experience that employers value. Collaboration skills and communication abilities are also important, as projects are often carried out in interdisciplinary teams. Staying informed about new research and industry trends enhances the ability to contribute innovative solutions. Flexibility and problem-solving skills facilitate adaptation to rapid changes, especially in production or quality control. A proactive approach to further training, such as courses in food safety or sustainable development, increases competitiveness.

Key facts about food engineers

  • Education level: Bachelor's or master's degree (3–5 years)
  • Occupational group: Engineers and technicians in chemistry and chemical engineering
  • Work environment: Laboratories, offices, and production facilities
  • Job openings in the profession: 564
  • Gender salary ratio: Women earn 98% of men's salaries

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a food engineer can advance to roles such as project manager, quality manager, or product developer, depending on interests and workplace. Specializations in areas like sustainable food production, product development, or food safety are common. The forecast from the Employment Service is uncertain due to limited data, but with 564 job openings, there is an ongoing need for expertise. The industry’s increasing focus on innovation, sustainability, and technological development offers good opportunities for those seeking growth and new career steps.

Common questions about food engineers

  • What does a food engineer earn?
    - A food engineer has an average salary of 43 600 SEK per month. The highest salary is 45,100 SEK and the lowest is 31,900 SEK.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Men earn an average of 44 000 SEK and women 43,300 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a food engineer?
    - A university or master's degree in food technology or a related field, typically 3–5 years.
  • How high is the demand for food engineers?
    - Currently, there are 564 job openings, indicating strong demand.
  • What are the job responsibilities of a food engineer?
    - Tasks include product development, quality control, process optimization, and food analysis.
  • What are the career paths?
    - After a few years, it is common to advance to roles such as project manager, quality manager, or product developer.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Data on regional differences is lacking, but variations may occur depending on the labor market and sector.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 22:08:07

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Food engineer is 45100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 43300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Food engineer is 31900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 42600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 100% 38800 kr 39500 kr
35-44 107% 43500 kr 44300 kr
45-54 104% 48700 kr 49600 kr
55-64 91% 46000 kr 47200 kr
Snitt 98% 42800 kr 43600 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 Food engineer has the SSYK code 3115, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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