How much does a Staff chef make

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Staff chef

31 400 kr

Chefs and cold buffet managers

27 100 - 44 700 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Hotell, restaurang

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Staff chef

Average salary 31 400 kr
Males 31 900 kr
Females 30 900 kr
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What does a catering chef do? – Tasks and work environment

A catering chef is responsible for preparing and serving food within companies, schools, healthcare facilities, or other institutions offering staff meals. Tasks include menu planning, purchasing ingredients, cooking, and ensuring compliance with hygiene and safety regulations. The work environment is often a kitchen with a high tempo, requiring good physical health and the ability to handle stress during shifts.

Catering chef salary – a comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 31 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,100 SEK (female, less than 9 years of upper secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 44,700 SEK (male, public sector, less than 3 years of post-secondary education)
  • Hourly wage: 189 SEK (based on 166 hours/month for hourly workers)
  • Gender differences: Women earn on average 30 900 SEK, men 31 900 SEK, which means women earn 97 % of men's salaries
  • Regional differences: Data lacking for detailed regional variations

The work of a catering chef often requires creativity and problem-solving, especially when adapting menus to various dietary needs and restrictions. Many develop a strong sense of flavor combinations and efficient work organization under stress.

– statsskuld.se

Salary development over time

The average salary for a catering chef has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average was 29,000 SEK, in 2023 it rose to 30 700 SEK, and in 2024 it reached 31 400 SEK. This development corresponds to an overall increase of approximately 8.3 % over three years. The salary increase can be linked to increased demand for qualified personnel in large-scale catering and public sector, as well as general wage growth within the restaurant and service industry. Additionally, the sector's increased focus on quality and cost-efficiency has contributed to raising the complexity of tasks, positively impacting salary levels.

Education and qualifications

To become a catering chef, a background in hospitality and food studies is usually required, often at upper secondary level. Practical experience is highly valuable, and many supplement with shorter courses to specialize.

  • Upper secondary vocational training in hospitality: typically 3 years
  • Courses in food hygiene and special diets: shorter certifications
  • Internship or apprenticeship: often mandatory for professional qualification
  • Prerequisites: basic schooling and interest in cooking
  • Post-secondary courses: opportunities for further education in nutrition and dietetics

Common benefits and compensations

Catering chefs are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, subsidized meals, and sometimes occupational pension. Working hours can vary, and compensation for unsocial hours, such as evenings and weekends, is common. Vacation and sick pay are regulated according to collective agreements within the industry.

Competition and challenges

The profession is characterized by a paradoxical recruitment situation, where there are both recruitment difficulties and a relatively high unemployment or part-time rate within the field. Competition can be fierce in certain regions and workplaces, while others have significant needs for qualified staff. The work environment can be physically demanding and stressful, requiring good health and resilience.

Tips for aspiring catering chefs

To succeed as a catering chef, it is beneficial to have strong organizational skills and the ability to work efficiently under time pressure. Attention to detail and precision contribute to maintaining high quality in cooking. Flexibility and good teamwork skills are also important, as kitchen environments often require coordination with colleagues. A positive attitude towards learning new techniques and recipes facilitates career development. Finally, patience is key, as building experience and credibility in the industry can take time.

Key facts about catering chefs

  • Education level: Upper secondary vocational training in hospitality (3 years) is common
  • Salary range: 27,100–44,700 SEK/month
  • Work environment: Kitchen with high pace and physical demands
  • Employment type: Employed in companies, public sector, or institutions
  • Demand: Large job opportunities nationally, but paradoxical recruitment situation

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years in the profession, catering chefs can advance to roles such as sous-chef or head chef, or specialize in nutrition and dietetics. Some choose to further their education as dietitians or food consultants. The Swedish Public Employment Service estimates that demand for catering chefs in hotels, restaurants, and large-scale catering remains unchanged over the next five years, with significant opportunities for employment despite a recruitment situation characterized by both difficulties and high unemployment or part-time work in the field.

Frequently asked questions about catering chefs

  • What does a catering chef earn?
    - A catering chef has an average monthly salary of around 31 400 SEK, with variations from 27,100 SEK to 44,700 SEK depending on experience, education, and sector.
  • What education is required to become a catering chef?
    - Most commonly, a three-year upper secondary vocational training in hospitality, supplemented with practical experience and possible certifications in food hygiene.
  • Are there gender differences in salaries for catering chefs?
    - Yes, women earn on average 97 % of what men earn in the profession.
  • What is the working environment like for a catering chef?
    - The work environment is often a kitchen with a high pace, requiring physical endurance and attention to hygiene and safety.
  • What are the future prospects for catering chefs?
    - Demand is expected to remain unchanged at the national level with significant job opportunities despite some recruitment difficulties.
  • Can a catering chef advance in their career?
    - Yes, career paths include roles such as head chef or specialization in nutrition and dietetics.
  • What benefits do catering chefs have?
    - Common benefits include wellness allowances, subsidized meals, and compensation for unsocial hours.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-03 14:24:25

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Staff chef is 44700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 34800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Staff chef is 27100 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 29000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 96% 27800 kr 29600 kr
25-34 96% 30500 kr 32000 kr
35-44 94% 30800 kr 31800 kr
45-54 97% 30200 kr 30900 kr
55-64 99% 30900 kr 31500 kr
65-68 95% 31400 kr 31900 kr
Snitt 97% 30400 kr 31400 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 Staff chef has the SSYK code 5120, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

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* Updated with 2025 taxes

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