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Ship chef salary

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Ship chef salary
Image that illustrates Ship chef

Ship chef salary

31 400 SEK

Chefs and cold buffet managers

Latest available salary statistics are for 2024. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

27 100 - 44 700 SEK / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Hotell, restaurang

Average salary 31 400 SEK/month Monthly gross salary
Salary range 27 100 - 44 700 SEK Latest available range Data year 2024 Latest published dataset

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Calculate take-home pay for Ship chef 31 400 SEK/month prefilled Calculate gross salary for Ship chef Start from net pay More salary pages Browse more roles Open jobs for Ship chef 778 matching jobs in Hotell, restaurang

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Salary trend About the role What does a Ship Cook do? – Tasks and Working Environment Salary Development Over Time Ship Cook Salary – Complete Overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Ship chef

Average salary 31 400 kr
Males 31 900 kr
Females 30 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 778 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Ship Cook do? – Tasks and Working Environment

Ship cooks are responsible for planning, preparing, and cooking meals onboard ships, where the working environment often involves confined spaces, varying work rhythms, and long periods at sea. They handle procurement and inventory of raw materials, ensure that food supplies last throughout the voyage, and follow strict hygiene and safety routines that are especially important in the maritime environment. In addition to cooking, tasks include dishwashing, cleaning, and sometimes basic administrative work. Often, the ship cook works independently, but on larger vessels, collaboration with additional kitchen staff may occur. Flexibility and the ability to handle unexpected situations are crucial qualities in this role, as access to new supplies can be limited during longer trips.

Salary Development Over Time

Over the past three years, salaries for ship cooks have steadily increased. In 2022, the average salary was 29,000 SEK per month, rising to 30 700 SEK in 2023 and further to 31 400 SEK in 2024. This development represents an overall increase of approximately 8.3% over three years, slightly above the average salary increase in restaurant and kitchen professions. The rise can be linked to increased demand for qualified kitchen staff in maritime sectors, as well as general cost increases and collective agreement adjustments. Simultaneously, the salary trend reflects a stable market where employers need to offer competitive wages to attract and retain skilled personnel, especially given the demanding working environment.

Ship Cook Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 31 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,100 SEK/month (female, pre-high school education)
  • Highest salary: 44,700 SEK/month (male, public sector, post-secondary education)
  • Hourly wage (average): 189 SEK/hour
  • Women earn: 30 900 SEK/month (97% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 31 900 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Salary variations occur, especially between larger shipping companies and smaller vessels, as well as depending on the geographical location of the workplace.

Education and Qualifications

To work as a ship cook, a basic culinary education combined with specific maritime safety certificates is usually required. Practical experience from restaurant kitchens is often advantageous, and many employers prefer candidates who have completed safety training for seafarers. The educational pathway can vary, but it is essential to have both culinary skills and knowledge of maritime regulations.

  • High school education: Restaurant and Food Service Program (3 years)
  • Certificates: Basic safety training for seafarers (STCW)
  • Practical experience: Voyage internships or experience working in ship kitchens
  • Prerequisites: Good Swedish and English skills, basic knowledge of food hygiene
  • Further training: Specialized courses in nutrition, allergies, and special diets onboard

Working as a ship cook often involves long periods away from land, requiring both independence and the ability to foster camaraderie onboard. Many describe the sense of community on the vessel as one of the most unique and rewarding aspects of the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Allowances

Ship cooks are often offered free meals, onboard accommodation, and sometimes allowances for unsociable hours, especially during longer trips or international routes. Some employers may also provide paid return trips home, health insurance, and opportunities for further maritime training. The level of benefits can vary depending on the type of vessel, route, and employer size.

Competition and Challenges

The profession as a ship cook is characterized by a paradoxical recruitment situation; while many positions are available, staff turnover is high, and employers report difficulties in finding qualified applicants. The specific demands for flexibility, independence, and working under pressure contribute to the perception of the job as demanding. Long periods at sea and sometimes uncertain work schedules can make it difficult to balance family life or leisure interests. Despite this, the profession attracts with its unique working environment and travel opportunities, but it requires mental and physical resilience to thrive and develop in the role.

Tips for Aspiring Ship Cooks

To succeed as a ship cook, it’s beneficial to combine professional skills with a strong sense of service and team spirit. Good organizational skills help manage procurement and meal planning, especially when supplies are limited. Flexibility and problem-solving skills are essential when unexpected situations arise onboard. Being stress-resistant is important, as workload can vary greatly during the voyage. Good communication, both with crew and guests, contributes to a positive atmosphere on the vessel. Besides technical knowledge, a willingness to learn new dishes and adapt to different working environments is valuable. Finally, having a genuine interest in maritime life and travel can enhance long-term satisfaction in the profession.

Key Facts About Ship Cooks

  • Average salary: 31 400 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 27,100–44,700 SEK/month
  • Gender difference: Women earn 97% of men's salaries
  • Education requirements: High school culinary education + maritime safety certification
  • Job opportunities: Large, 123 available jobs in Sweden

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After a few years as a ship cook, there are opportunities to advance to chief cook on larger vessels or to leadership roles within the shipping company's service organization. Some choose to further their education in nutrition and health or take on responsibilities related to procurement and logistics onboard. The Swedish Employment Agency forecasts that demand for cooks and cold kitchen staff, including ship cooks, will remain unchanged over the next five years, with continued high employment opportunities. The high staff turnover and recruitment difficulties mean that individuals with the right skills and experience have good prospects for employment and career development. However, the job market remains sensitive to changes in the maritime industry and the global economy, which could influence the number of positions in the longer term.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ship Cooks

  • What does a Ship Cook earn?
    - A ship cook has an average salary of 31 400 SEK per month, with wages from 27,100 SEK up to 44,700 SEK depending on experience, sector, and education.
  • What education is required to become a ship cook?
    - A high school culinary education and maritime safety certification, such as STCW, are required to work onboard ships.
  • What is the working environment like for a ship cook?
    - The working environment involves long periods at sea, confined spaces, and varying workloads, often with independent responsibilities.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 97% of men's salaries within the profession.
  • What are the future prospects for ship cooks?
    - The forecast indicates demand will remain unchanged with significant job opportunities, according to the Swedish Employment Agency.
  • What benefits are common for ship cooks?
    - Common benefits include free meals, onboard accommodation, allowances for unsociable hours, and sometimes paid return trips home.
  • How many job openings are there for ship cooks?
    - Currently, there are 123 available positions within the group of cooks and cold kitchen staff that include ship cooks.
Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-05 06:08:03

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Ship 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 Ship 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 Ship 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 31 390
Net salary
31 390
Taxes
11 718
Fees
12 582

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2026 taxes

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