How much does a Food Inspector make

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  2. Food Inspector
Image that illustrates Food Inspector

Food Inspector

41 000 kr

Environmental and health protection inspectors

34 000 - 48 700 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

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Salary progression Food Inspector

Average salary 41 000 kr
Males 41 800 kr
Females 40 700 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 12 Vacant jobs ->

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

A food inspector works to ensure that food businesses comply with laws and regulations regarding food safety and hygiene. The work involves regular inspections of restaurants, stores, large kitchens, and food producers to check handling, labeling, and storage of food. Reporting, advising, and sometimes training operators are part of the role. The work environment is varied, combining office work and field visits, often within municipal or government agencies, but jobs in the private sector also exist.

Salary development over time

The salary development for food inspectors has been steadily upward in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 38,000 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 39 900 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has reached 41 000 SEK, which corresponds to a total increase of about 7.9% over two years. This salary trend reflects both inflation and increased demand for qualified inspection personnel, while competition for positions has been relatively balanced. Regional and employer differences occur, but the general trend is that salaries have gradually improved, especially for experienced inspectors in the private sector.

Food inspector salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 41 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,000 SEK/month (male, public sector, pre-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 48,700 SEK/month (male, private sector, unspecified education)
  • Hourly wage: 246 SEK
  • Women earn: 40 700 SEK (97% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 41 800 SEK
  • Regional differences: Present, with metropolitan areas often offering higher salaries

Education and qualifications

To work as a food inspector, a scientific university degree in environmental and health protection, biology, chemistry, or similar is usually required, often supplemented with specialized courses in food safety and administrative law. Practical experience, such as internships during studies or work within the food industry, is advantageous. Some employers also require certifications or further training in inspections and controls.

  • University degree: Environmental and health protection, biology, chemistry, or similar (3–5 years)
  • Specialized courses: Food safety, administrative law
  • Internships: Often included during studies or through trainee programs
  • Certifications: Possible in food supervision
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for university studies

Food inspectors often develop a unique ability to handle complex meetings and communicate difficult decisions pedagogically. The profession requires diplomacy and the ability to build trust with both business owners and the public, making communication skills an unexpectedly central part of the role.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Food inspectors are usually offered benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, occupational pension, and sometimes remote work options. Business trips and further training are also common, especially in the public sector. Other benefits include skills development and subsidized lunches.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a food inspector is generally balanced, meaning there is neither a clear shortage nor oversupply of qualified applicants. Challenges in the profession often involve staying updated on changing legislation and new food trends. The work can sometimes involve stressful situations, especially during major food incidents or urgent inspections. The ability to make independent decisions and handle conflicts is important, as the role involves authority and sometimes opposition. Digitalization and increased administration can also impact workload.

Tips for those who want to become a food inspector

To succeed as a food inspector, it is good to combine analytical skills with a genuine interest in food safety. Being precise and structured facilitates interpreting regulations and documenting inspections correctly. Communication skills are crucial, as the profession requires clear dialogue with business owners and the public. Flexibility and problem-solving skills are needed to handle unexpected challenges during inspections. Good teamwork and integrity also contribute to building trust in the role and enable effective authority work.

Key facts about food inspectors

  • Education level: University degree in environment, health, or natural sciences (3–5 years)
  • Work environment: Varied between office and field visits
  • Employers: Mainly public sector, but also private sector
  • Demand: Moderate, with stable outlook according to Arbetsförmedlingen
  • Job openings: 143 within the profession (May 2024)

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a food inspector can advance to senior inspector, supervisor, or case officer in food supervision. There are also opportunities to specialize in areas such as import control, training, or consulting. According to the latest forecast from Arbetsförmedlingen for environmental and health inspectors, the job market is expected to be balanced, with moderate opportunities and unchanged demand over five years. The number of job openings remains stable, and further education can improve chances of more qualified or specialized roles. Related professions include environmental inspector, food technician, or quality manager in the food industry.

Frequently asked questions about food inspectors

  • What does a food inspector earn?
    - The average salary is 41 000 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, employer, and region.
  • What education is required to become a food inspector?
    - A university degree in environmental and health protection, biology, chemistry, or similar is usually required.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 97% of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the job market like for food inspectors?
    - The job market is considered balanced with moderate opportunities and stable demand.
  • Who are the most common employers?
    - Municipalities and government agencies are most common, but the private sector also exists.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for a food inspector?
    - The highest salary is 48,700 SEK and the lowest 34,000 SEK per month.
  • What personal qualities are important in this profession?
    - Accuracy, communication skills, integrity, and the ability to make independent decisions are key qualities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 20:12:05

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Food Inspector is 48700 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 48100 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Food Inspector is 34000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 38200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 96% 38000 kr 38100 kr
35-44 99% 40700 kr 40800 kr
45-54 100% 42700 kr 42800 kr
55-64 98% 43600 kr 43800 kr
Snitt 97% 40900 kr 41000 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 Inspector has the SSYK code 2182, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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