Image that illustrates Deputy Chief

Deputy Chief

37 400 kr

Head chefs and sous chefs

36 800 - 40 000 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Hotell, restaurang

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Deputy Chief

Average salary 37 400 kr
Males 37 700 kr
Females 36 800 kr

What does a Souschef do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A souschef works as the head chef's closest team member and plays a central role in the restaurant's kitchen. Responsibilities include leading staff, organizing kitchen operations, ensuring food quality, and maintaining hygiene standards. The souschef is often responsible for ordering ingredients, planning menus in consultation with the head chef, and training new staff. The work is intense and takes place in a fast-paced environment with varying working hours, often under pressure, especially during lunch and dinner services. The ability to handle stress and make quick decisions is crucial in this role.

Salary development over time

The salary for a souschef has shown some variation in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 35800 SEK, followed by a significant increase to 38 800 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has slightly decreased to 37 400 SEK, which corresponds to a reduction of approximately 3.6% from the previous year. This trend can partly be explained by changes in demand and supply of labor within the restaurant industry, as well as the effects of economic fluctuations affecting the sector nationally. Generally, the profession has experienced positive salary growth over a longer period, but the recent decline indicates a slowdown, possibly linked to increased competition, efficiency measures, and changing consumer patterns.

Complete overview of Souschef salary

  • Average salary: 37 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 36,800 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 40,000 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 225 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 98% of what men do
  • Regional differences: No specific data available

Education and Qualifications

The path to becoming a souschef usually involves a basic restaurant education at the high school level, complemented by several years of work experience in kitchens. Many souschefs have progressed from the role of chef and often have built their skills through additional training, specialized courses, and internal mentoring. Advancement requires both formal and informal merits, where practical experience weighs heavily.

  • Restaurant and Food Program: 3 years at high school
  • Further education: Courses in leadership, hygiene, and special diets
  • Internship: Several years of experience as a chef required
  • Certifications: Food hygiene and possibly alcohol license
  • Prerequisites: Good cooking skills and teamwork abilities

Working as a souschef provides unique opportunities to influence the development of the kitchen and to shape menus and work routines. It is often a stepping stone for those who want to become head chefs or start their own restaurant. The role also involves building strong relationships with staff and suppliers, which can open many doors within the industry.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Souschefs are often offered staff meals and work clothing as part of their employment. Other common benefits can include wellness allowances, opportunities for further training, and extra compensation for unsociable hours, such as evenings and weekends. In some cases, bonuses linked to the kitchen's performance or the restaurant's results are also provided.

Competition and Challenges

The competition for souschef positions is intense, especially in high-end restaurants or in major cities where demand for experienced kitchen managers is high. The industry is also characterized by relatively high staff turnover, creating opportunities for driven chefs to advance. Challenges often include long and sometimes irregular working hours, high pace, and constant demands for leadership development and culinary skills. Managing personnel issues and quickly solving problems in the kitchen environment require flexibility and resilience.

Tips for aspiring Souschef

To succeed as a souschef, it is beneficial to combine leadership skills with meticulousness and creativity. Showing initiative and taking responsibility for tasks and work environment increases chances of promotion. A strong interest in cooking and a desire to constantly develop new dishes are important qualities, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues under stress. Being attentive to both the head chef and staff facilitates communication and contributes to a positive work environment. It is also advantageous to pursue further education in leadership and hygiene, as these skills are highly valued. Finally, a future souschef should have perseverance and engagement to handle long working days and a high pace.

Key facts about Souschef

  • Education level: High school culinary education, often supplemented with courses
  • Work environment: Fast pace and irregular hours in restaurant kitchens
  • Demand: Great opportunities for employment nationwide
  • Typical employment: Full-time, often evenings and weekends
  • Available jobs: 123 advertised positions within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a souschef, opportunities often open to advance to head chef or take leading roles within larger restaurant chains and hotels. Some choose to start their own business or specialize in areas such as catering or concept development. According to forecasts from the Employment Service, opportunities for work as a souschef and head chef are considered large, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over five years. At the same time, recruitment difficulties are reported, meaning experienced souschefs are still highly sought after in the job market. There are also good development opportunities for those who want to further their education or take on greater responsibility.

Common questions about Souschef

  • What does a Souschef earn?
    - A souschef has an average salary of 37 400 SEK per month.
  • How has the salary development looked for Souschef?
    - The salary increased from 35800 SEK in 2022 to 38 800 SEK in 2023, but decreased to 37 400 SEK in 2024.
  • What education is required to become a Souschef?
    - Typically, a restaurant education at the high school level and several years of experience as a chef.
  • Are there gender differences in salary for Souschef?
    - Yes, women earn approximately 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the job market like for Souschef?
    - Opportunities for employment are good with 123 available jobs within the profession.
  • What career paths are available after being a Souschef?
    - It is common to advance to head chef or start your own restaurant.
  • What are the most common benefits for Souschef?
    - Staff meals, work clothing, wellness allowance, and sometimes bonuses.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Deputy Chief is 40000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 36800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Deputy Chief is 36800 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 37700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 35200 kr 36000 kr
35-44 38700 kr 39900 kr
45-54 35600 kr 36400 kr
Snitt 98% 36500 kr 37400 kr
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 Deputy Chief has the SSYK code 3451, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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