Image that illustrates Bread counter

Bread counter

31 400 kr

Hand packers and other factory workers

30 100 - 35 800 kr / month

Women earn 95% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Bread counter

Average salary 31 400 kr
Males 31 900 kr
Females 30 500 kr

What does a bread counter do? – Tasks and work environment

A bread counter works with counting, sorting, and packaging bread products at bakeries or within the food industry. The tasks often include supervising production lines, checking the quality of the bread, and ensuring that the correct number of products are packaged and labeled properly. The work usually takes place in a factory or bakery environment, where the pace can be high and tasks repetitive. Bread counters often collaborate with others in a team, and the work environment is characterized by clear routines and safety regulations.

Salary development over time

The salary for bread counters has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 28,200 SEK, then increased to 30 300 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has continued upward and is now 31 400 SEK, representing a total increase of approximately 11.3% over the three-year period. This salary development can partly be explained by general wage adjustments within the industry and an increased focus on working conditions and collective agreements. Although demand for the profession is considered unchanged, wages have strengthened in line with inflation and rising living costs. It is worth noting that gender pay gaps persist and regional variations may occur.

Bread counter salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 31 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 30,100 SEK (women), 30,900 SEK (men)
  • Highest salary: 33,300 SEK (women), 35,800 SEK (men)
  • Hourly wage: 189 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 30 500 SEK (95% of men's salary, men: 31 900 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Data varies, but generally small differences between city and countryside

Education and qualifications

To work as a bread counter, usually no formal higher education is required, but high school education in food or industry can be advantageous. Many employers offer on-the-job training and introductory programs. Experience from similar work or other industrial professions can be beneficial. Some familiarity with machines and accuracy in tasks is appreciated.

  • High school education: Food program, industry or equivalent (2–3 years)
  • Workplace introduction: Internship or on-site training
  • Prerequisites: Precision, teamwork skills, basic Swedish
  • Certifications: Often no formal requirement, but hygiene training may be included
  • Tips for choosing: Opt for high school programs in food or industry for broader opportunities

Many bread counters develop impressive speed and precision over time, enabling the team to maintain a high pace without compromising quality. The social community at the workplace is often highlighted as an important factor for job satisfaction, especially during intensive shifts.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Bread counters are often covered by collective agreements that provide access to occupational pension, insurance, and overtime pay. Other common benefits include wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes subsidized lunches or employee discounts on bakery products. Some employers also offer scheduled working hours that facilitate daily planning.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a bread counter is relatively easy to enter, which leads to high competition for jobs. Current forecasts indicate a surplus of labor within the profession, and job opportunities nationwide are limited. Over the next five years, demand is expected to remain unchanged, making it difficult to secure permanent employment without relevant experience or special merits. Challenges also include physically demanding and sometimes monotonous tasks, and the work environment can be noisy and stressful at times.

Tips for those who want to become a bread counter

To succeed as a bread counter, it is good to be precise and detail-oriented, as the work requires accuracy in counting and packaging. Endurance is important since workdays are often long and the pace can be high, especially during peak production. Teamwork skills facilitate collaboration and contribute to a positive work environment. Flexibility is valued since tasks can vary between different steps and shifts. Showing engagement and quickly learning new routines can be advantageous for internal recruitment or taking on more responsibility. Effective communication and the ability to handle monotonous tasks with maintained motivation are also appreciated qualities.

Key facts about bread counters

  • Education level: High school education (2–3 years) recommended
  • Work environment: Industrial setting with high pace and physical work
  • Demand: Limited opportunities, surplus of labor nationwide
  • Typical work form: Shift work in teams
  • Job openings: 1,437 positions within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience, a bread counter can move into roles with more responsibility, such as team leader, supervisor, or machine operator within the food industry. Further education in production, quality assurance, or logistics can also open doors to new roles, such as production planner or warehouse manager. According to the Employment Service's forecasts, demand for bread counters and related professions will remain unchanged over the next five years, with a continued surplus of applicants. Those who wish to develop within the profession can benefit from building their skills and seeking larger workplaces or related roles within the industry.

Frequently asked questions about bread counters

  • What is the average salary of a bread counter?
    - A bread counter has an average salary of 31 400 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Men earn on average 31 900 SEK and women 30 500 SEK, which means women earn 95% of men's salary.
  • What is the hourly wage for a bread counter?
    - The hourly wage is 189 SEK for an average hourly worker.
  • What education is required to become a bread counter?
    - High school education in food or industry is recommended, but formal requirements vary.
  • Are there many job openings?
    - There are 1,437 available positions, but competition is high.
  • What are the future prospects for bread counters?
    - Demand is expected to remain unchanged, but there is a surplus of labor according to the Employment Service.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries within the profession?
    - The highest salary for men is 35,800 SEK and for women 33,300 SEK. The lowest salary for men is 30,900 SEK and for women 30,100 SEK.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Bread counter is 35800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a high school education, 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 33300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Bread counter is 30100 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Regional sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 30900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 98% 28100 kr 30300 kr
25-34 95% 29800 kr 32200 kr
35-44 97% 30400 kr 32000 kr
45-54 94% 29800 kr 31200 kr
55-64 94% 30200 kr 31100 kr
Snitt 95% 29700 kr 31400 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.


Default Avatar

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 Bread counter has the SSYK code 9320, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest
    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden
    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes