- Salary statistics
- Taster
Taster
33 688 - 32 942 kr / month
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Taster
What does a taste tester do? – Tasks and work environment
A taste tester works with assessing flavor, aroma, texture, and quality of food and beverages. Tasks may include testing new recipes, identifying flavorings, and ensuring products meet standards before reaching consumers. The work often takes place in laboratories, test kitchens, or production facilities where strict routines and high hygiene standards are a natural part of daily work. Taste testers collaborate closely with product developers, chemists, and quality managers to contribute to the company's innovation and quality efforts.
Salary development over time
The salary for taste testers has been relatively stable in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 32,540 SEK per month, then increased slightly to 32 805 SEK in 2023 and further to 32 942 SEK in 2024. The total increase during this period amounts to approximately 1.2%, indicating a cautious but steady growth. The slow salary increase can largely be explained by a relatively stable demand for the profession, while the number of available positions has not increased dramatically. The market is characterized by specialized skills and a limited number of trained professionals, which keeps salary levels high but minimizes large jumps. The niche nature of the profession and low staff turnover also contribute to the slow salary development.
Taste tester salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 32 942 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data unavailable
- Hourly wage (average): 198 SEK
- Gender differences: Data unavailable
- Regional differences: Data unavailable
Education and qualifications
The path to becoming a taste tester varies, but a background in food technology, nutrition, or sensory analysis is common. Formal education is often advantageous, but practical experience and a developed palate also play important roles. Many employers prefer candidates who have completed relevant courses or internships in the food industry.
- Post-secondary education: Food technology, nutrition, or similar (2–3 years)
- Specialized courses: Sensory analysis, food safety, and quality assessment
- Internships: Practical experience from test kitchens or laboratories is meritorious
- Certification: Possible within sensory analysis or quality control
- Prerequisites: Developed sense of taste and interest in food and drink
Many taste testers develop their senses by regularly training to identify flavors, aromas, and textures in everyday life. The ability to articulate their impressions is just as important as the taste experience itself – communication with product developers and colleagues is crucial for success in the role.
Common benefits and compensations
Benefits for taste testers may include wellness allowances, subsidized lunches, opportunities for skills development, and access to test kitchens and modern laboratories. Some employers also offer flexible working hours and opportunities to participate in product launches or travel to test new raw materials and trends.
Competition and challenges
The competition for positions as a taste tester is relatively high, especially since the profession is niche and the number of available jobs is limited. It requires not only a well-developed sense of taste but also the ability to work systematically and follow strict routines. Physical challenges such as allergies or taste fatigue can affect work capacity, and the role demands high precision and consistency in assessments. Due to the small job market, candidates are often expected to handle various types of foods and participate in ongoing training to stay current in the industry.
Tips for aspiring taste testers
To succeed as a taste tester, it is beneficial to have a strong interest in food, a curious mindset, and a willingness to continually develop your sense of taste. Attention to detail is crucial – each test requires focus and objectivity to ensure fair assessments. Good communication skills make it easier to describe flavor experiences and collaborate with colleagues in product development. Building patience and endurance is important, as many tests can be monotonous but require precision. Actively seeking internships and participating in sensory training can strengthen your CV. Flexibility and adaptability facilitate handling varied tasks or testing new products. Finally, staying open to new flavors and trends is essential to remain relevant in the profession.
Key facts about taste testers
- Average salary: 32 942 SEK/month
- Hourly wage: 198 SEK
- Education level: Post-secondary or specialized courses
- Number of available jobs: 1437 positions within the profession
- Work environment: Laboratory, test kitchen, or production facility
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a taste tester, opportunities exist to advance to roles such as sensory manager, product developer, or quality manager within the food industry. Employment agency forecasts indicate that demand for qualified taste testers remains stable, especially in larger food companies and laboratories. Technological developments and increased focus on product quality drive the need for specialists in sensory analysis and quality control. There are also opportunities to specialize in specific product areas, such as beverages, dairy products, or confectionery, which can offer further career paths and higher responsibility levels.
Frequently asked questions about taste testers
- What does a taste tester earn?
- The average salary for a taste tester is 32 942 SEK per month. - How to become a taste tester?
- Usually, post-secondary education in food science, sensory analysis, or nutrition is required, along with practical experience. - What are the job responsibilities of a taste tester?
- A taste tester evaluates flavor, aroma, and quality of food or beverages and often collaborates with product developers. - Are there many job openings for taste testers?
- There are approximately 1437 available positions within the profession of taste testers and quality assessors. - What personal qualities are important?
- Attention to detail, communication skills, and a developed sense of taste are essential for success. - Are there regional salary differences?
- Currently, there is no available statistics on regional salary differences for taste testers. - What career paths are available after a few years?
- Advancement to roles such as sensory manager, product developer, or quality manager is possible.
Salary distributed by age and sector
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 Taster has the SSYK code 7613, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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