How much does a Special chef make

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  2. Special chef
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Special 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 Special chef

Average salary 31 400 kr
Males 31 900 kr
Females 30 900 kr
2 Likes 0 Comments 256 Vacant jobs ->

What does a specialty chef do? – Tasks and work environment

A specialty chef works with preparing and composing advanced dishes, often focusing on specific cuisines or techniques. Tasks include everything from raw material handling and menu planning to leading kitchen teams and ensuring the highest quality of food. Specialty chefs are found in restaurants, hotels, conference facilities, and sometimes within the public sector. The work environment is often fast-paced and requires both creativity and precision, while hygiene standards and safety regulations must be strictly followed.

Salary development over time

The salary for specialty chefs has steadily increased over the past three years. 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. The total increase amounts to approximately 8.3% over three years. The salary trend reflects a continued strong demand for qualified cooks, combined with increased requirements for specialized skills and work experience. The market has been characterized by recruitment difficulties, which tend to push salaries upward, especially for those with documented expertise and experience in specific culinary traditions.

Specialty chef salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 31 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,100 SEK (female, multiple sectors)
  • Highest salary: 44,700 SEK (male, public sector, post-secondary education, <3 years)
  • Hourly wage (average): 189 SEK
  • Men's average salary: 31 900 SEK
  • Women's average salary: 30 900 SEK
  • Women earn: 97% of what men do

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a specialty chef typically involves a high school culinary program, followed by several years of work experience and sometimes additional courses or certifications in specific kitchen techniques. Besides formal education, practical skills, creativity, and the ability to work under pressure are central to the profession. Many specialty chefs further develop their skills by working abroad or participating in competitions and continuing education.

  • Formal education: Culinary and Food Program (3 years, high school level)
  • Advanced courses: Specializations such as Asian cuisine, pastry, or vegetarian cooking
  • Certifications: Food hygiene, HACCP certificates
  • Internships: Long-term workplace internships or apprenticeships are recommended
  • Prerequisites: Interest in cooking, good physical condition, and teamwork skills
  • Tips: International experience and participation in cooking competitions can provide a competitive edge

Many specialty chefs choose to specialize in areas such as vegan cuisine, fermentation, or molecular gastronomy – which can quickly increase demand for their skills. Building a personal brand through social media has also become increasingly important for reaching the job market.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Specialty chefs are often offered benefits such as overtime pay for evening and weekend work, meal allowances, wellness contributions, and sometimes opportunities for further training. Access to work clothing and tools is standard, and some employers also offer bonuses tied to performance or seasonal work.

Competition and challenges

The job market for specialty chefs is characterized by high demand but also significant competition for attractive positions, especially at renowned restaurants. Recruitment difficulties occur, while unemployment and part-time work are relatively common, which can lead to some uncertainty. Many leave the profession after a few years due to the high pace and physical demands. Challenges also include the need for continuous skills development and adaptation to new food trends and dietary requirements. Flexibility and stress management are therefore crucial for long-term success.

Tips for those who want to become a specialty chef

To succeed as a specialty chef, it is beneficial to combine a passion for cooking with perseverance and curiosity. Constantly learning new techniques and flavors provides an advantage, especially in a profession where trends change rapidly. Precision and stress resilience are valuable traits when the pace intensifies during service. Social skills facilitate teamwork in the kitchen and contribute to a good work environment. Building a network through internships and competitions can open doors to exciting workplaces. Creativity pays off, especially for those who want to specialize or create their own brand. Finally, humility and willingness to accept feedback are important for development and career advancement.

Key facts about the specialty chef

  • Educational level: High school culinary education with opportunities for further specialization
  • Work environment: Fast-paced and often physically demanding kitchen environment
  • Work form: Commonly evening and weekend work
  • Demand: Great opportunities for employment nationwide
  • Special skills: Niche techniques or cuisines increase competitiveness

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a specialty chef can advance to head chef, sous-chef, or take responsibility for menu development and staff management. Some choose to start their own business, work as consultants, or specialize in a particular cuisine. According to the Employment Service's forecasts, opportunities for employment remain large, but competition for the most attractive positions is high. Demand is expected to stay unchanged over the next five years, while the labor market is characterized by both recruitment difficulties and high mobility within the profession.

Frequently asked questions about specialty chefs

  • What does a specialty chef earn?
    - A specialty chef has an average salary of 31 400 SEK per month. The salary varies depending on experience, education, and sector.
  • How do salary differences between men and women look?
    - Men earn an average of 31 900 SEK while women earn 30 900 SEK, which means women earn 97% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a specialty chef?
    - High school culinary education is most common, often supplemented with advanced courses and internships.
  • What are the future prospects for specialty chefs?
    - The job market offers great opportunities, but competition for the best positions is high. Demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years according to the Employment Service.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for specialty chefs?
    - The highest salary is 44,700 SEK (male, public sector), the lowest is 27,100 SEK (female, multiple sectors).
  • What benefits are common for specialty chefs?
    - Common benefits include overtime allowances, meal allowances, wellness contributions, and work clothing.
  • How many job openings are available for specialty chefs?
    - Currently, there are 123 job openings within the profession of chefs and cold kitchen staff.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-09-18 14:12:15

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Special 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 Special 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 Special 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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