How much does a Berry pickers make

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Berry pickers

27 500 kr

Berry pickers and planters etc.

24 900 - 28 500 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Naturbruk

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Berry pickers

Average salary 27 500 kr
Males 27 900 kr
Females 26 800 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 4 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Berry Picker do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A berry picker primarily works outdoors in nature, harvesting berries, often during the summer and autumn seasons. The tasks include identifying, collecting, and sometimes sorting different types of berries, such as blueberries, lingonberries, and raspberries. The work is mostly manual and requires endurance and good physical condition, as it often involves long days on foot in forests and fields. Berry pickers can work independently or in teams, and the work environment is influenced by varying weather conditions and terrain. In some cases, tasks may also include transportation, weighing, and delivering berries to buyers or employers.

Wage development over time

Wages for berry pickers have shown a clear increase in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 23,500 SEK per month, rising to 26 400 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary increased further to 27 500 SEK, representing a total increase of about 17% over three years. This rise can partly be explained by increased demand for labor during berry seasons and competition for available workers, but also rising living costs and adjustments in collective agreements have influenced wage levels. Despite this positive trend, some gender pay gaps remain, with women earning on average 96% of men's wages. Wage increases have been relatively even between genders in recent periods.

Berry Picker salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 27 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 24,900 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 28,500 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 165 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 26,800 SEK, men 27 900 SEK (women 96% of men's wages)
  • Regional differences: Highest wages are found in the regional sector for men, lowest wages in the public sector for both men and women

Education and qualifications

To work as a berry picker, no formal education is required, but experience with outdoor work and knowledge of Swedish berries and nature are advantageous. Many employers value practical experience and good physical condition, as the work can be demanding. Some employers may offer short introductory courses or training on-site, especially for new hires or seasonal foreign workers.

  • Formal education: No specific education required
  • Introductory courses: Often offered by the employer at the start of the season
  • Practical experience: Previous outdoor work experience is meritorious
  • Prerequisites: Good physical condition and endurance are important
  • Tips: Knowledge of Swedish berries and nature increases chances of employment

The berry picking profession offers unique opportunities to work outdoors and experience nature closely. For many, the sense of freedom and variation in the work environment is a great motivation, while it also provides a chance to develop good local knowledge and natural understanding.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Berry pickers often have access to seasonal benefits such as travel allowances, basic accommodation, or meals during the work period. In some cases, bonuses are offered for reaching picking targets or additional pay for working under particularly demanding conditions. Other common compensations include access to work tools and some work clothing from the employer. Employment is often temporary or hourly-based, which may affect access to traditional benefits such as holiday pay or sick pay.

Competition and challenges

The competition for work as a berry picker varies depending on season and location. During peak season, demand for labor can be high, but working conditions can also be tough with long days and weather-dependent environments. One of the biggest challenges is that the work is physically demanding and income can be uncertain, especially with piecework pay or unfavorable weather conditions. Additionally, competition from seasonal foreign workers can be significant, affecting both job availability and wage levels. Despite this, there are always many job openings each year, and opportunities are available for those who are flexible and interested in nature and outdoor work.

Tips for those wanting to become a Berry Picker

To succeed as a berry picker, it is good to be persistent and enjoy outdoor work, as long days in varying weather are common. Being careful helps, especially when sorting and handling berries to ensure quality. Flexibility is important because tasks can vary depending on the season and berry availability. Good teamwork skills are an advantage if working in a team, while independence is helpful when working alone in the forest. An interest in nature and local knowledge can also help find the best berry locations and increase earnings.

Key facts about Berry Pickers

  • Education requirements: No formal education required
  • Work environment: Outdoors, often in forests and fields
  • Employment type: Seasonal or hourly employment is most common
  • Demand: Around 360 available jobs each year
  • Gender distribution: Women earn 96% of men's wages in the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience, berry pickers may have opportunities to advance to more responsible roles such as supervisor or seasonal coordinator, especially within larger berry companies and cooperatives. Some choose to specialize in specific berries or expand into other natural resource tasks, such as planting or forest management. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, the job prospects for berry pickers are moderate, with a balanced recruitment situation. Over five years, demand is expected to remain unchanged, providing stable opportunities for those interested in working in the profession.

Frequently asked questions about Berry Pickers

  • What is the average salary of a Berry Picker?
    - A berry picker has an average salary of 27 500 SEK per month.
  • Are there differences between men's and women's wages?
    - Yes, men earn an average of 27 900 SEK while women earn 26,800 SEK, which means women earn 96% of men's wages.
  • What is the highest salary for a Berry Picker?
    - The highest salary is 28,500 SEK and belongs to a man in the regional sector with high school education.
  • Is education required to become a Berry Picker?
    - No, formal education is not required, but experience and good physical condition are advantageous.
  • What is the job market like for Berry Pickers?
    - The job market is balanced, with approximately 360 available jobs each year.
  • What is the lowest salary for a Berry Picker?
    - The lowest salary is 24,900 SEK per month and applies to both men and women in the public sector.
  • What personal qualities are important for the profession?
    - Endurance, accuracy, flexibility, and an interest in nature are important qualities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 11:59:13

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Berry pickers is 28500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector with a high school education, 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 26800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Berry pickers is 24900 kr. Both men and women in this profession have the same lowest salary and work in the Public sector.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 24500 kr 25200 kr
25-34 28000 kr 28200 kr
35-44 100% 27500 kr 27600 kr
45-54 96% 28100 kr 28300 kr
55-64 28300 kr 28500 kr
Snitt 96% 27200 kr 27500 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 Berry pickers has the SSYK code 9210, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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