- Salary statistics
- Baker
Baker
30 900 - 33 300 kr / month
Women earn 93% of what men do.
Hantverksyrken
Salary progression Baker
What does a baker do? – Tasks and work environment
A baker is responsible for baking bread, buns, and other baked goods, often early in the morning to ensure fresh products are available when stores and cafes open. Tasks include weighing and mixing ingredients, kneading dough, monitoring fermentation processes, as well as baking and decorating baked goods. Both traditional methods and modern machinery are often used. The work environment is characterized by early mornings, teamwork, and sometimes a fast pace, especially during holidays and peak seasons. Many bakers work in bakeries, confectioneries, or larger food stores, where hygiene, precision, and efficiency are highly valued.
Salary development over time
The salary for bakers has shown steady but moderate growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,300 SEK per month, increasing to 31 100 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has continued upward and now stands at 31 800 SEK, representing a total increase of just over 5% over the three-year period. This development can partly be explained by collective bargaining negotiations and a slightly increased demand for artisanal baked products, although the profession is nationally characterized by a surplus of labor. Despite the positive trend, salary increases are in line with overall wage development in Sweden and reflect a relatively stable but competitive job market for bakers.
Baker salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 31 800 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 30,900 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 33,300 SEK/month
- Average hourly wage: 191 SEK
- Women earn: 30,900 SEK/month (93% of men's salary)
- Men earn: 33,300 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on location and employer size, with somewhat higher salaries in metropolitan regions.
Education and qualifications
To work as a baker, a high school education in baking and confectionery is usually required, but it is also possible to qualify through adult education or on-the-job training. Practical experience is highly valued, and many employers prefer new hires to have completed internships or trainee periods. Additional courses and certifications can provide advantages, especially for those wishing to specialize or work in larger bakeries.
- High school education: Food program with specialization in baking and confectionery (3 years)
- Adult education / Komvux: Vocational training in baking and confectionery
- Internship: Often a requirement for APL (workplace-based learning)
- Certifications: Possibility to obtain journeyman's certificate for bakers
- Prerequisites: Basic eligibility from compulsory schooling
- Tips for choosing: Interest in practical work, precision, and a good sense of taste and aesthetics are valuable qualities
Many bakers develop their own signature breads or specialties over time, which give their bakery a unique touch. Creativity and a sense for new flavors are therefore important competitive advantages in the profession.
Common benefits and compensations
Bakers are often covered by collective agreements that entitle them to overtime pay for early mornings and weekends, as well as holiday pay and pension contributions. Many workplaces also offer staff discounts on bakery products, wellness allowances, and opportunities for further training within the profession.
Competition and challenges
The labor market for bakers is characterized nationally by a surplus of labor, which means competition for permanent positions can be tough, especially in larger cities. The demand for the profession is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years according to the Employment Service's forecast. Night and early morning work can be demanding, as can physically strenuous work in warm environments. Digitalization and automation have also impacted the industry, but there is a growing niche for artisanal and organic baked goods. For those who want to stand out, both skill and the ability to follow food and health trends are essential.
Tips for aspiring bakers
To succeed as a baker, a combination of practical skills and personal qualities is beneficial. Precision is crucial for following recipes and ensuring consistent quality. Creativity helps develop new products and adapt to customer preferences, while endurance and physical strength facilitate the pace and early mornings. An interest in flavors and aesthetics allows bakers to create both beautiful and tasty baked goods, and good teamwork skills are important since the work is often team-based. Being flexible and adaptable is also a significant asset, especially during busy periods.
Key facts about bakers
- Educational level: High school diploma or adult education in baking
- Work environment: Early mornings, physically demanding, often team-based
- Work arrangements: Full-time, part-time, and hourly employment are common
- Demand: Limited job opportunities, surplus of labor
- Job openings: 341 available positions nationwide within the profession
Career paths and outlook
After three to five years as a baker, there are opportunities to advance to team leader, production manager, or start one's own bakery. Some choose to further qualify as a confectioner or specialize in sourdough and gluten-free products. According to the Employment Service, the national job prospects are limited, and recruitment is characterized by a surplus of labor. The forecast for the next five years indicates that demand will remain unchanged, but specialized knowledge and skills can improve career prospects. Following trends and building a personal brand can also be a success factor for those looking to develop within the profession.
Frequently asked questions about bakers
- What is the average salary of a baker?
- A baker has an average monthly salary of 31 800. - What is a baker's hourly wage?
- The hourly wage for a baker is on average 191 SEK. - Are there differences between men and women in the baking profession?
- Yes, women earn approximately 93% of men's salaries in the profession. - What does the job market look like for bakers?
- There is a surplus of labor and limited job opportunities nationwide. - What education is required to become a baker?
- Usually, a high school education with a focus on baking and confectionery or adult education is required. - How has the salary development been over time?
- Salaries have increased by about 5% over the past three years. - Are there regional differences in baker salaries?
- Yes, slightly higher salaries are found in metropolitan regions compared to smaller towns.
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 Baker has the SSYK code 7612, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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