- Salary statistics
- Cake maker
Cake maker
30 900 - 33 300 kr / month
Women earn 93% of what men do.
Hantverksyrken
Salary progression Cake maker
What does a cake decorator do? – Tasks and work environment
A cake decorator mainly works with creating and decorating cakes for various occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and corporate events. Tasks include planning and composing flavors, baking layers, whipping fillings, and working with advanced decorations in sugar, marzipan, or chocolate. The work requires great precision, a sense of aesthetics, and the ability to adapt to customer wishes. The environment is often a bakery, pastry shop, or a specialized company, where the pace can be fast and working days vary depending on the season and order volume. Hygiene requirements and meticulousness are central parts of the profession, as well as good teamwork skills.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, cake decorators have seen a stable but relatively modest salary increase. In 2022, the average salary was 30,300 SEK per month, increasing to 31 100 in 2023 and further to 31 800 in 2024. This corresponds to a total increase of about 5% over the period, which aligns with the general trend in craft professions. The driving factors behind the salary increases have been a growing demand for custom-designed cakes and the profession's requirement for both skill and artistic talent. Despite this, the salary growth is somewhat lower than inflation during the same period, possibly due to an oversupply of labor among bakers and pastry chefs.
Cake decorator salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 31 800 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 30,900 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 33,300 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 191 SEK
- Women: 30,900 SEK/month
- Men: 33,300 SEK/month
- Women earn: 93% of what men do
- Regional differences: Small, but higher salaries in larger cities
Education and qualifications
To work as a cake decorator, a basic education in baking or pastry arts is usually required, often at the high school level or through adult education. Practical experience is highly meritorious, especially in decoration work and special cakes. Some employers also require certificates or specialized courses in sugar work, chocolate, or advanced cake decoration. Self-study and online inspiration courses have become increasingly common and can be a way to develop one's niche.
- High school education: Specialization in baking/pastry arts (3 years)
- Adult education: Pastry arts courses (1–2 years)
- Special courses: Sugar flowers, marzipan, chocolate (short courses)
- Internship: Apprenticeship at a pastry shop or cake decorator
- Self-study: Online courses and workshops
Many cake decorators have the opportunity to develop a personal artistic expression through their creations, and the profession appeals to both practically inclined and creative individuals. Competing in cake design has also become a popular way to build reputation and network within the industry.
Common benefits and compensations
Benefits for cake decorators vary but often include staff discounts on bakery products, paid wellness allowances, and sometimes opportunities for further training within the profession. Other common compensations may include overtime pay for work on weekends and evenings, as well as bonuses for large orders or successful seasons. Some workplaces also offer staff parties and team activities to strengthen cohesion.
Competition and challenges
The profession of cake decorator is characterized by high competition, especially in larger cities where many pastry shops and independent decorators compete for the same customers. An oversupply of trained workers often makes it difficult for recent graduates to establish themselves quickly. The industry is also affected by seasonal variations, with high demand during holidays and lower seasons possibly resulting in fewer orders. Additionally, high demands are placed on innovation and quality, as many customers expect unique and tailored cakes. The work environment can be physically demanding and time-pressured, requiring good endurance and stress resilience.
Tips for aspiring cake decorators
To succeed as a cake decorator, it is good to combine creativity with precision and a willingness to continuously develop. Practicing new techniques and decoration styles regularly strengthens both confidence and craftsmanship. Being service-oriented and attentive to customer wishes is crucial, as is building a strong network in the industry through internships and competitions. Attention to hygiene and planning facilitates the work and reduces the risk of mistakes, while patience and perseverance help handle stressful periods. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to new trends give an advantage in the job market.
Key facts about cake decorators
- Average salary: 31 800 SEK/month
- Education level: High school diploma with specialization in baking/pastry arts
- Gender pay gap: Women earn 93% of what men do
- Work environment: Bakery, pastry shop, or specialized company
- Demand: Limited opportunities, oversupply of labor
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a cake decorator can advance to more specialized roles such as head pastry chef, product developer, or start their own business in cake design. Other possible career paths include becoming an industry trainer or working as a consultant for larger events and weddings. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast for bakers and pastry chefs, job opportunities are expected to be limited nationally, with an ongoing oversupply of trained personnel and unchanged demand over the next five years. However, regional differences and niche markets exist where skilled cake decorators can find good opportunities, especially for those who build a strong personal brand or offer unique services.
Frequently asked questions about cake decorators
- What does a cake decorator earn per month?
- The average monthly salary for a cake decorator is 31 800. - What is a cake decorator's hourly wage?
- The hourly wage for a cake decorator averages 191 SEK per hour. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn approximately 93% of what men do in the profession. - What are the highest and lowest salaries for a cake decorator?
- The highest salary is 33,300 SEK and the lowest is 30,900 SEK per month. - What education is required to become a cake decorator?
- High school education with specialization in baking/pastry arts or equivalent adult education is required. - What are the future prospects for cake decorators?
- Job opportunities are considered limited nationally, with a market characterized by an oversupply of labor. - Where are the best opportunities to work as a cake decorator?
- The best opportunities are often in larger cities and workplaces where specialized skills are in demand.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 28700 kr | 32100 kr | |
| 35-44 | 29700 kr | 32400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 31600 kr | 33400 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 29800 kr | 31800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 28700 kr | 32100 kr | |
| 35-44 | 29700 kr | 32400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 31600 kr | 33400 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 29800 kr | 31800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 28700 kr | 32100 kr | |
| 35-44 | 29700 kr | 32400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 31600 kr | 33400 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 29800 kr | 31800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 93% | 30100 kr | 33300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 93% | 30100 kr | 33300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 93% | 30100 kr | 33300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 93% | 29600 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 93% | 29600 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 93% | 29600 kr | 30900 kr |
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 Cake maker has the SSYK code 7612, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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