- Salary statistics
- Bartender
Bartender
25 900 - 34 100 kr / month
Women earn 92% of what men do.
Hotell, restaurang
Salary progression Bartender
What does a Bartender do? – Tasks and Work Environment
A Bartender is responsible for mixing and serving drinks at bars, restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs. Tasks include taking orders, recommending drinks, handling payments, and maintaining order in the bar area. The role requires good knowledge of drink recipes, alcohol laws, and hygiene routines. The work environment is often fast-paced, social, and involves varying working hours, with evening and weekend work being common.
Salary development over time
Bartender salaries have shown significant variation between 2022 and 2024. In 2022, the average salary was 27,100 SEK per month, then increased markedly to 31 400 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the salary has slightly decreased to 30 000 SEK. This trend indicates strong demand during the recovery period after the pandemic, but also some slowdown as the labor market stabilizes. Salary differences can also be explained by regional demand, availability of trained personnel, and changes in collective agreements within the hotel and restaurant sector. Despite fluctuations, salary levels are now steadily above previous years, suggesting increased value for industry experience and specialized knowledge.
Bartender salary – Complete overview
- Average salary: 30 000 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 25,900 SEK/month (women), 28,900 SEK/month (men)
- Highest salary: 34,100 SEK/month (men), 29,900 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 180 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 92% of what men do
- Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on the geographic location of the workplace, with somewhat higher wages in big cities and tourist destinations.
Education and qualifications
No formal university education is required to work as a Bartender, but many employers value high school education in hotel and restaurant management. Practical experience and social skills are often crucial for employment. Many choose to attend specialized bartender courses, both in Sweden and abroad, to strengthen their chances in the job market.
- High school: Hotel and Restaurant program, about 3 years
- Bartender courses: Private courses, 2–8 weeks
- Certificates: Courses in responsible alcohol service
- Internships: Usually through schools or independently
- Prerequisites: Good service skills and communication abilities
Many Bartenders quickly build a large network both within and outside the industry, which can open doors to new roles, collaborations, and even international opportunities. For those who enjoy working outwardly, the profession can be a stepping stone to events, education, or own business ventures.
Common benefits and compensations
Bartenders are often offered benefits such as night shift allowances for evening and weekend work, staff discounts, meals, and sometimes tips. Some employers also offer training, wellness allowances, and opportunities for further development within the company. Compensation models vary, but hourly employment is common, especially for younger or newly hired staff.
Competitions and challenges
The competition for positions as a Bartender is often fierce, especially in larger cities and popular nightclubs. Seasonal variations affect the job market, with many extra jobs offered during summer and holidays. Challenges include irregular working hours, physically demanding environments, and the need to handle stressful situations professionally. Additionally, good knowledge of alcohol legislation and responsible serving is required, which necessitates ongoing skills development. The profession can also involve job insecurity, with temporary and hourly contracts being common.
Tips for aspiring Bartenders
To succeed as a Bartender, it’s good to have a genuine interest in service and meeting people, as guest contact is central to the job. Being resilient under stress is crucial when the pace is high and multiple orders need to be managed simultaneously. Good communication skills make it easier to understand guests’ wishes and create a pleasant atmosphere. Flexibility and adaptability help when tasks vary and shifts can be irregular. Precision is important to ensure all drinks are of high quality and laws are followed. Additionally, showing initiative, such as suggesting new drinks or improving routines, is an advantage. Curiosity and willingness to learn more about beverages and the industry also provide good opportunities for development.
Key facts about Bartenders
- Education level: High school education, often supplemented with shorter bartender courses
- Common employment type: Hourly or temporary employment
- Work environment: Fast-paced, evening and weekend work
- Demand: 123 job openings in Sweden (May 2024)
- Gender distribution: Men earn an average of 30 900 SEK, women 28 500 SEK
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a Bartender can advance to supervisory roles such as bar manager or restaurant manager, or specialize as a cocktail bartender at exclusive bars. Some choose to train new Bartenders or start their own business. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, no specific outlook assessment is made due to limited data, but demand is influenced by economic cycles, tourism, and seasonal variations. With experience and further education, opportunities for more responsibility and higher salaries increase, especially in metropolitan areas and international workplaces.
Common questions about Bartenders
- What is the average monthly salary for a Bartender?
- The average salary for a Bartender is 30 000 SEK per month. - How do gender differences look in Bartender salaries?
- Men earn an average of 30 900 SEK and women 28 500 SEK, which means women earn approximately 92% of men's salaries. - What education is required to become a Bartender?
- High school education in hotel and restaurant management is common, but many also attend shorter bartender courses and responsible alcohol service training. - Are there regional differences in Bartender salaries?
- Yes, salaries can be higher in big cities and tourist destinations compared to smaller towns. - What is the job market like for Bartenders?
- Currently, there are 123 job openings in Sweden. - What are the most common types of employment?
- Hourly and temporary employment are most common among Bartenders. - How much does the highest-paid Bartender earn?
- The highest salary is 34,100 SEK per month, belonging to a man with post-secondary education shorter than three years.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 89% | 26100 kr | 28300 kr |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28600 kr | 31400 kr |
| 35-44 | 28200 kr | 30100 kr | |
| Snitt | 92% | 27800 kr | 30000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 89% | 26100 kr | 28300 kr |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28600 kr | 31400 kr |
| 35-44 | 28200 kr | 30100 kr | |
| Snitt | 92% | 27800 kr | 30000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 89% | 26100 kr | 28300 kr |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28600 kr | 31400 kr |
| 35-44 | 28200 kr | 30100 kr | |
| Snitt | 92% | 27800 kr | 30000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 89% | 27700 kr | 30200 kr |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28800 kr | 31700 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 28600 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 89% | 27700 kr | 30200 kr |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28800 kr | 31700 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 28600 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 89% | 27700 kr | 30200 kr |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28800 kr | 31700 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 28600 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 89% | 25000 kr | 26900 kr |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28100 kr | 30200 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 26300 kr | 28500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 89% | 25000 kr | 26900 kr |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28100 kr | 30200 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 26300 kr | 28500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 89% | 25000 kr | 26900 kr |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28100 kr | 30200 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 26300 kr | 28500 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 Bartender has the SSYK code 5132, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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