How much does a Product developer, food make

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  2. Product developer, food
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Product developer, food

52 300 kr

Civil engineering professions in chemistry and chemical engineering

48 500 - 56 800 kr / month

Women earn 92% of what men do.

Tekniskt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Product developer, food

Average salary 52 300 kr
Males 54 200 kr
Females 49 800 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 20 Vacant jobs ->

What does a food product developer do? – Tasks and work environment

A food product developer works on creating new food products or improving existing ranges. Tasks include analyzing raw materials, developing recipes, testing texture and flavor, and ensuring products meet legal and quality standards. Collaboration with other specialists such as food engineers, marketers, and production staff is common. The work environment is typically laboratory- or office-based, often involving visits to production facilities and contact with suppliers. The role requires both technical expertise and creativity to meet consumer demands for taste, sustainability, and innovation.

Salary development over time

The salary for food product developers has shown a steady upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 49200 SEK per month, increasing to 51 500 SEK in 2023 and further to 52 300 SEK in 2024. This development represents a total increase of approximately 6.3% over the period. Factors driving salary increases include a growing focus on innovation in the food industry, higher demands for specialized education, and competition for qualified engineers in chemistry and chemical engineering. Market demand for safe, sustainable, and healthy foods has also contributed to strengthening the profession's attractiveness and salary level.

Food product developer salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 52 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 48,500 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 56,800 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 315 SEK
  • Women: 49 800 SEK/month (92% of men's salary)
  • Men: 54 200 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a food product developer, a university degree in food technology, chemistry, biotechnology, or related fields is usually required. Many employers prefer a master’s degree, but a bachelor’s or YH (vocational university) diploma with relevant specialization can also be sufficient. Practical experience from laboratory work or food production is often advantageous, as well as knowledge in project management and quality assurance.

  • Master's degree: 5 years, in chemistry, biotechnology, or food technology
  • Bachelor's degree: 3 years, in natural sciences or engineering
  • YH (vocational university): 2–3 years, specialized programs in food
  • Internship/trainee: Common during education
  • Courses in project management and quality assurance: Meritorious

Food product developers often work cross-functionally and need strong communication skills with colleagues in R&D, production, and marketing. The ability to quickly translate new trends and research findings into commercial products is an important competitive advantage in the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Food product developers are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional development. Some employers also provide bonus schemes, subsidized lunches, and options for remote work depending on job duties. Benefits vary between companies and sectors, but generally, they are good within this profession.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a food product developer is relatively high, especially in larger companies and attractive regions. Challenges in the profession include high demands for technical skills, continuous adaptation to new regulations and consumer trends, and tight deadlines for product launches. The rapid development within food safety and sustainability also requires ongoing training. Additionally, project management and coordination between departments can be complex and time-consuming.

Tips for aspiring food product developers

To succeed as a food product developer, it’s beneficial to combine analytical skills with creativity and good teamwork. Securing internships in the food industry during studies helps build relevant experience and networks. Precision is crucial for handling quality requirements and documentation, while initiative helps drive projects forward and identify new opportunities. Staying updated on industry innovations and regulations provides an advantage, and a genuine interest in both technology and food is often a key motivator in the profession.

Key facts about food product developers

  • Education level: Master’s, bachelor’s, or YH diploma
  • Work environment: Laboratory, office, and production facilities
  • Work style: Cross-functional teamwork
  • Demand: 564 job openings (May 2024)
  • Gender distribution: Women earn 92% of men's salaries

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as a food product developer, opportunities include advancing to project manager, R&D manager, or specialist roles in areas such as sensory analysis, sustainability, or food safety. Consulting or strategic work in innovation and business development are also common. According to the Swedish Employment Agency's forecasts, there is no specific assessment for this role due to limited data, but there are 564 job openings in the broader group of chemical engineers. The future outlook is considered good, especially for those with specialized skills or experience in project management and international work.

Frequently asked questions about food product developers

  • What does a food product developer earn?
    - The average salary is 52 300 SEK per month, with a range between 48,500 SEK and 56,800 SEK depending on experience, education, and sector.
  • What education is required to become a food product developer?
    - Usually a degree in chemistry, biotechnology, or food technology; a bachelor's or YH diploma can also suffice.
  • Are there salary differences between women and men?
    - Yes, women earn an average of 49 800 SEK per month, which is 92% of men's salaries.
  • What does the job market look like for food product developers?
    - There are 564 job openings in the chemical engineering group, indicating strong demand.
  • What are the typical tasks of a food product developer?
    - Developing new products, improving recipes, testing raw materials, and ensuring quality and compliance.
  • What are the most common benefits?
    - Occupational pension, wellness allowance, flexible hours, professional development, and sometimes bonus schemes or remote work.
  • What are the career opportunities for food product developers?
    - Progression to project leader, R&D manager, or specialist roles, or working as a consultant.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 21:54:06

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Product developer, food is 56800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 55800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Product developer, food is 48500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 48700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 96% 42800 kr 43100 kr
35-44 91% 50400 kr 50900 kr
45-54 104% 55900 kr 56400 kr
55-64 93% 60100 kr 60900 kr
Snitt 92% 51800 kr 52300 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 Product developer, food has the SSYK code 2145, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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