Image that illustrates Elder

Elder

33 200 kr

Cleaning supervisors and housekeepers

31 200 - 38 000 kr / month

Women earn 89% of what men do.

Sanering och renhållning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Elder

Average salary 33 200 kr
Males 36 400 kr
Females 32 500 kr

What does an åldfru do? – Tasks and work environment

An åldfru works as a supervisor within cleaning and household services, often at larger institutions, hotels, or in the public sector. The role involves planning, instructing, and following up on daily work for cleaning staff, as well as being responsible for quality and work environment. The åldfru allocates tasks, mentors new employees, and ensures hygiene standards and routines are followed. The work environment is often varied and may include both office work and practical tasks out in the field, with close contact with staff and sometimes with guests or clients.

Salary development over time

Salaries for åldfruar have shown a slightly fluctuating trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,900 SEK per month. The following year, the salary increased to 33 500 SEK, corresponding to an increase of about 5%. In 2024, the average salary has decreased slightly and is now 33 200 SEK, a decline of approximately 1% compared to the previous year. This change may be due to various factors, such as changing demand for supervisory staff in service roles or an increased number of new hires with less experience. At the same time, gender pay gaps remain significant, affecting the average. Despite small variations, the salary level remains stable, and the åldfru profession continues to be in demand.

Åldfru salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 33 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,200 SEK/month (female, private sector employee, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Highest salary: 38,000 SEK/month (male, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
  • Hourly wage: 200 SEK/hour
  • Women: 32,500 SEK/month (89% of men's salary)
  • Men: 36 400 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Salaries vary slightly depending on sector and region.

Education and qualifications

To work as an åldfru, a high school education is usually required, often within hotel, restaurant, service, or similar fields. Many employers also prefer experience in supervision or previous work in cleaning and service. Additional courses in work environment and leadership are advantageous and can provide a competitive edge during hiring.

  • High school education: Hotel and tourism program or similar, 3 years
  • Practical experience: Prior work in cleaning, service, or supervision is prioritized
  • Additional courses: Leadership, work environment, or hygiene, often 1–2 days to several weeks
  • Prerequisites: Good Swedish language skills, sometimes B driver's license
  • Tips for choosing: Internships or summer jobs in hotels, cleaning, or service provide valuable experience

Many åldfruar develop strong leadership skills thanks to the daily responsibility for both work planning and conflict management within the team. The role requires a combination of structure and sensitivity, often serving as a stepping stone to more advanced supervisory positions within the service industry.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Benefits offered to åldfruar often include wellness allowances, work clothes, subsidized lunches, and opportunities for further training in leadership and work environment. Occupational pensions and insurances are standard in the public and larger private sectors, and in some cases, extra vacation days or bonuses upon reaching goals are also provided.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as an åldfru varies depending on the region and employer, but demand remains generally stable due to ongoing needs for supervisory staff in cleaning and service. Challenges in the profession include managing personnel shortages, changing routines, and ensuring quality and hygiene standards are always met. During certain periods, high workload and limited resources can make the leadership role particularly demanding. At the same time, there are good opportunities to influence and improve the work environment for the entire team, making the role both rewarding and responsible.

Tips for those wanting to become an åldfru

To succeed as an åldfru, it is good to combine structure with flexibility and a genuine interest in leadership. Demonstrating initiative and willingness to take responsibility for planning and problem-solving is crucial, especially when unforeseen situations arise. Good communication skills facilitate cooperation with colleagues and clients, and the ability to listen and motivate staff contributes to a positive work environment. Being meticulous and quality-conscious helps ensure work is performed to high standards, while patience and stress tolerance are important when the pace is high. Actively seeking new knowledge and adopting new work methods can provide a competitive edge and open opportunities for further development within the profession.

Key facts about åldfru

  • Education level: High school education, often with a focus on service
  • Work environment: Institutional settings, hotels, or public sector
  • Typical work arrangement: Full-time, daytime with some evening and weekend shifts
  • Demand: 123 job openings within the profession in Sweden
  • Salary range: 31,200–38,000 SEK/month depending on experience and sector

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as an åldfru, there are good opportunities to advance to shift supervisor, area manager, or administrative roles within larger service and property management companies. With further education and experience, roles such as operations manager or trainer in cleaning technology can also become relevant. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the outlook remains stable, with continued demand for supervisory staff in cleaning and service. Digitalization and increased sustainability requirements may influence job tasks in the future, but the industry’s need for structured and engaged leaders remains.

Common questions about åldfru

  • What is the average salary of an åldfru?
    - An åldfru has an average salary of 33 200 SEK per month.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for åldfru?
    - The highest salary is 38,000 SEK and the lowest is 31,200 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn 32,500 SEK while men earn 36 400 SEK, which means women earn 89% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become an åldfru?
    - High school education with a focus on service or hotel management, as well as work experience, is usually required.
  • What is the job market like for åldfruar?
    - There is stable demand, and currently 123 job openings within the profession in Sweden.
  • What are the most common benefits?
    - Benefits include wellness allowance, work clothes, occupational pension, and sometimes extra vacation days.
  • What career options are available after a few years as an åldfru?
    - Common paths include shift supervisor, area manager, or operations manager within service and property management.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Elder is 38000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 35500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Elder is 31200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 32500 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 32500 kr 33300 kr
35-44 86% 33000 kr 34000 kr
45-54 88% 32500 kr 33200 kr
55-64 31900 kr 32500 kr
Snitt 89% 32400 kr 33200 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 Elder has the SSYK code 5151, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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