Salary progression Au-pair

Average salary 25 300 kr
Males 25 900 kr
Females 25 200 kr

What does an Au-pair do? – Tasks and work environment

An Au-pair typically works within a family and is responsible for childcare, light household chores, and sometimes assistance with homework or leisure activities. The tasks vary depending on the family's needs, but the focus is often on providing children with security and support in everyday life. The role usually involves living with the host family and working in a home environment, creating close relationships with both the children and adults in the household. The work environment is characterized by flexibility but can also involve irregular hours and high responsibility.

Salary development over time

Salaries for Au-pairs have shown a relatively stable development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 24 000 SEK per month and remained unchanged in 2023. It was only in 2024 that the average salary increased to 25 300 SEK, representing a salary increase of just over 2.5% from the previous year. This trend reflects some demand for the profession but also ongoing uncertainty regarding formal employment conditions and market needs. The salary increase can partly be explained by increased focus on working conditions for home service staff and greater awareness of fair compensation. Despite this, salary growth remains relatively modest compared to other professions, which may be due to education levels and competition from similar roles.

Au-pair salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 25 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 22,400 SEK/month (female, pre-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 26,100 SEK/month (male, secondary education up to 2 years)
  • Hourly wage (average): 144 SEK
  • Women: 25 200 SEK/month (97% of men's salary)
  • Men: 25 900 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: No specific data available

Education and qualifications

To work as an Au-pair, formal education is rarely required, but employers and host families prefer candidates with childcare experience and good language skills. Many have secondary education, and some choose to supplement with short courses in childcare or first aid. Practical experience is often valued highly, and references from previous employers or internships may sometimes be requested.

  • Education level: Most commonly secondary education
  • Courses: Childcare, first aid, pedagogy (voluntary but advantageous)
  • Language skills: Usually require good Swedish and sometimes English
  • Internships: Previous childcare experience or references are appreciated
  • Age requirements: Some families prefer adult candidates (over 18 years)

Working as an Au-pair offers a unique opportunity to deeply get to know a new culture and build close relationships with a family. Many describe it as a valuable exchange of experiences, where both the host family and the Au-pair develop together.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

In addition to the base salary, accommodation and meals are often provided, meaning the Au-pair lives with the family and receives food during employment. Other common benefits include free travel to and from the country, insurance, and the possibility to participate in language courses or other educational activities. Some families also offer extra pocket money or paid activities with the children.

Competition and challenges

Competition for Au-pair positions can vary depending on region and season, but the Swedish market has a moderate demand. A challenge is that the role often lacks clear employment contracts and formal conditions, which can create uncertainty for both employers and employees. Since the profession is part of a broad occupational group with varying tasks, it is difficult to get an exact picture of the competitive situation. The lack of long-term career opportunities and low salary levels also contribute to many viewing the role as a temporary step in working life. The social work environment can be both stimulating and challenging depending on the family’s dynamics and expectations.

Tips for those wanting to become an Au-pair

To succeed as an Au-pair, it is good to be flexible and adaptable, especially since tasks and family needs can vary greatly. Clear communication skills are important for building trust and good relationships with both children and adults. Showing patience and empathy makes daily life easier, especially when it becomes intense or children challenge boundaries. For those who are proactive and independent, there is often room to develop own activities and contribute positively to the family’s life. Finally, reliability and a sense of responsibility are crucial qualities, as parents need to trust that their children are in safe hands.

Key facts about Au-pair

  • Education level: Usually secondary education
  • Work environment: Family home, often living with the host family
  • Typical work form: Full-time, sometimes hourly employment
  • Demand: 123 available jobs in the profession in Sweden
  • Gender distribution: Predominantly women, earning 97% of men's salary

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as an Au-pair, many choose to move on to other roles within childcare, such as preschool assistant, child carer, or nanny. The experience gained can also be valuable for studies in pedagogy or social work. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts, there is no specific assessment for Au-pair, but the home service occupational group has a relatively stable number of available positions. The lack of long-term career opportunities means the role is often seen as a temporary step, but it can also serve as a springboard to more qualified roles within education or social care.

Frequently asked questions about Au-pair

  • What does an Au-pair earn?
    - An Au-pair has an average salary of 25 300 SEK per month, but the salary can vary between 22,400 SEK and 26,100 SEK depending on experience, gender, and education.
  • What tasks are included for an Au-pair?
    - Common tasks include childcare, light household chores, and sometimes assistance with homework or leisure activities.
  • Does an Au-pair require special education?
    - Some formal education is usually not required, but experience in childcare and good language skills are highly valuable.
  • What benefits does an Au-pair receive beyond salary?
    - Common benefits include accommodation and meals, insurance, free travel, and sometimes the opportunity to participate in language courses.
  • What are the future prospects for Au-pairs?
    - There is a stable number of available positions within the profession, but long-term career opportunities are limited.
  • Are there regional differences in Au-pair salaries?
    - No specific regional salary data is available for Au-pairs in Sweden.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Au-pair is 27400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 26000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Au-pair is 24600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Regional sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 25100 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 103% 23900 kr 24000 kr
25-34 97% 25000 kr 25100 kr
35-44 99% 25700 kr 25900 kr
45-54 93% 25000 kr 25200 kr
55-64 94% 25900 kr 26300 kr
65-68 28600 kr 28800 kr
Snitt 97% 25100 kr 25300 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 Au-pair has the SSYK code 9119, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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