- Salary statistics
- Nutrition researchers
Nutrition researchers
41 600 - 52 100 kr / month
Women earn 89% of what men do.
Naturvetenskapligt arbete
Salary progression Nutrition researchers
What does a nutrition researcher do? – Tasks and work environment
A nutrition researcher studies the role of nutrients in the body and their impact on health. The job involves analyzing foods, investigating how different diets affect well-being, and developing new dietary guidelines based on scientific findings. Tasks range from laboratory work and clinical studies to data collection and report writing. Many nutrition researchers are employed at universities, research institutes, government agencies, or within the food industry. The work environment is often laboratory-based but can also include fieldwork and collaboration with other researchers in related disciplines.
Salary development over time
The salary for nutrition researchers has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 44,700 SEK per month, rising to 46 700 SEK in 2023. The latest figure for 2024 shows an average salary of 49 100 SEK, representing a total increase of approximately 9.8% during the period. This positive trend can partly be explained by increased interest in nutrition and health in society, as well as higher demands for specialized competence in the field. Despite limited detailed statistics, the development indicates that nutrition researchers remain in demand, especially in research and development.
Nutrition researcher salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 49 100 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 41,600 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 52,100 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 295 SEK
- Women: 46 400 SEK/month (89% of men's salary)
- Men: 52,100 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Limited data, but variations may occur depending on labor market conditions and sector
Education and qualifications
To work as a nutrition researcher, extensive education in nutrition, biochemistry, or related fields is required. Most have a master's degree, but a doctoral degree is often demanded for research positions. Practical experience from laboratory work, scientific publishing, and the ability to analyze large datasets are advantageous. Additional courses in statistics, research methodology, and ethics can significantly strengthen competence.
- Master's degree in nutrition or biomedicine: 5 years
- Doctoral degree (PhD): 4–5 years after master's
- Internships and laboratory work: Often integrated into the education
- Courses in statistics and research methodology: Recommended
- Experience in scientific publishing: Meritorious
Working as a nutrition researcher often involves collaboration in interdisciplinary teams, where knowledge of both medicine and societal issues can be crucial for advancing research projects.
Common benefits and compensations
Nutrition researchers often have access to benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowances, and opportunities for professional development. Within universities and the public sector, flexible working hours and generous vacation policies are also offered. Research staff may sometimes receive support for conference travel and further education, which enhances the attractiveness of the profession.
Competition and challenges
The competition for permanent positions as a nutrition researcher is relatively high, especially in academia where many qualified candidates seek limited research roles. A challenge is that research project funding often comes in the form of temporary grants, which can create job insecurity. In industry, competition may be somewhat lower, but higher demands are placed on project management and commercial understanding. Success requires both deep subject knowledge and the ability to communicate complex results to different audiences.
Tips for aspiring nutrition researchers
To succeed as a nutrition researcher, it is beneficial to have a strong analytical mind and a genuine curiosity about how diet and health are connected. Gaining practical experience through internships or summer jobs in research environments during studies provides valuable skills and networks. Precision and perseverance are essential when performing advanced laboratory analyses and interpreting results. Developing good written and oral communication skills facilitates publishing and collaboration in interdisciplinary teams. Staying updated with the latest research in nutrition and biomedicine is also important. Applying for scholarships and participating in conferences can further enhance career prospects. Finally, a structured work approach and the ability to work independently are key factors for thriving in the profession.
Key facts about Nutrition Researchers
- Educational level: Master's degree, often doctoral degree
- Work environment: Laboratory, university, research institute
- Common employment form: Full-time, project-based
- Demand: 143 available jobs within the profession
- Special skills: Laboratory techniques, statistics, scientific publishing
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years of experience, a nutrition researcher can advance to project manager, research coordinator, or become a specialist in the food industry. There are also opportunities to become a university lecturer or continue in academic research as a docent. Projections from the Employment Service indicate limited data to assess future prospects for nutrition researchers specifically, but within the group of cell and molecular biologists, there were 143 available jobs at the latest measurement. The labor market is influenced by research funding and society’s increasing focus on health, offering good opportunities for those with the right competence and specialization.
Frequently asked questions about Nutrition Researchers
- What does a Nutrition Researcher earn?
- A nutrition researcher has an average salary of 49 100 SEK per month. - What education is required to become a nutrition researcher?
- Usually, a master's degree in nutrition or biomedicine, often supplemented with a doctoral degree. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn an average of 46 400 SEK while men earn 52,100 SEK per month. - What does the job market look like for nutrition researchers?
- There are 143 available jobs within the profession according to the latest statistics, but competition for permanent positions is high. - What tasks does a nutrition researcher perform?
- Tasks include laboratory analyses, data collection, report writing, and developing new dietary guidelines. - What personal qualities are important for a nutrition researcher?
- Analytical ability, accuracy, perseverance, and good communication skills are central qualities. - Where do nutrition researchers usually work?
- Common workplaces are universities, research institutes, government agencies, and the food industry.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 40700 kr | 41000 kr | |
| 35-44 | 100% | 45800 kr | 45900 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 49900 kr | 50300 kr |
| Snitt | 89% | 48900 kr | 49100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 39100 kr | 39200 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 42700 kr | 42900 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 46400 kr | 46500 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 48600 kr | 48700 kr |
| 65-68 | 50500 kr | 50500 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 44300 kr | 44400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 39100 kr | 39200 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 42700 kr | 42900 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 46400 kr | 46500 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 48600 kr | 48700 kr |
| 65-68 | 50500 kr | 50500 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 44300 kr | 44400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 100% | 45800 kr | 45900 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 50700 kr | 51100 kr |
| Snitt | 89% | 51800 kr | 52100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 39700 kr | 39900 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 43000 kr | 43200 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 47200 kr | 47200 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 49000 kr | 49200 kr |
| 65-68 | 51100 kr | 51100 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 44900 kr | 45100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 39700 kr | 39900 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 43000 kr | 43200 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 47200 kr | 47200 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 49000 kr | 49200 kr |
| 65-68 | 51100 kr | 51100 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 44900 kr | 45100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 100% | 45700 kr | 45800 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 49400 kr | 49800 kr |
| Snitt | 89% | 46200 kr | 46400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 38500 kr | 38700 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 42500 kr | 42600 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 45900 kr | 45900 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 47900 kr | 48000 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 43700 kr | 43700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 38500 kr | 38700 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 42500 kr | 42600 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 45900 kr | 45900 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 47900 kr | 48000 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 43700 kr | 43700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 49900 kr | 50300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 49900 kr | 50300 kr |
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 Nutrition researchers has the SSYK code 2131, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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