- Salary statistics
- Cafeteria assistant
Cafeteria assistant
23 500 - 26 100 kr / month
Women earn 104% of what men do.
Hotell, restaurang
Salary progression Cafeteria assistant
What does a cafeteria assistant do? – Tasks and work environment
A cafeteria assistant primarily works with serving food and drinks, taking orders, handling payments, and ensuring the café environment is clean and pleasant. Tasks may also include preparing simple dishes or baked goods, clearing tables, and refilling displays and shelves. The work environment is often social, and the pace varies depending on the time of day and season. Work is usually in a team where close cooperation and service-mindedness are central, and the workplace can range from small neighborhood cafés to larger restaurants and bakeries.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, the wages of cafeteria assistants have shown both fluctuations and a slight increase over time. In 2022, the average salary was 24,900 SEK per month. The following year, 2023, the salary increased to 26 800 SEK, approximately a 7.6% rise. In 2024, the average salary stabilized and slightly decreased to 25 800 SEK, indicating a reduction of about 3.7% compared to the previous year. This variation may be due to factors such as changes in demand, the labor market situation, and increased competition for jobs. Overall, the profession has a relatively stable salary structure, influenced by collective agreements and regional differences.
Cafeteria assistant salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 25 800 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 23,500 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 26,100 SEK/month
- Hourly wage: 155 SEK
- Women earn: 26,100 SEK/month (104% of what men earn)
- Men earn: 25,000 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Salary levels vary depending on region and employer.
Education and qualifications
To work as a cafeteria assistant, formal education is usually not required, but experience in service or restaurant industries is advantageous. Many employers value personal qualities such as accuracy, resilience under stress, and good service skills. An introduction at the workplace is common, but some choose to take short courses in food handling or hygiene to improve their chances.
- High school education: Restaurant and Food Service Program (3 years)
- Short courses: Food hygiene and cash handling
- Internships: Often available for practical training or traineeships
- Prerequisites: No formal requirements, but service experience is advantageous
- Online courses: Available for basic service and hygiene training
Working as a cafeteria assistant often provides opportunities to develop language skills and intercultural competence, as the work environment tends to be international and the backgrounds of customers vary greatly. Many who start in this profession gain valuable experience in customer interaction and problem-solving, which can open doors to other service careers in the future.
Common benefits and compensations
Cafeteria assistants are often covered by collective agreements, which entitle them to overtime pay, holiday pay, and occupational pension. Many workplaces also offer staff discounts, free meals during shifts, and wellness allowances. Benefits vary depending on employer and employment type, but basic security and compensations according to agreements are standard in the industry.
Challenges and competition
The competition for jobs as a cafeteria assistant is high, mainly due to an oversupply of applicants compared to available positions. The Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts show that job opportunities are limited and expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. Challenges include physically demanding tasks, high-paced work, and varying working hours, including evenings and weekends. Flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to different tasks and customer situations are also required.
Tips for those wanting to become a cafeteria assistant
To succeed as a cafeteria assistant, good communication skills and the ability to cooperate with colleagues and customers are important. Patience and resilience help manage busy periods and unexpected situations. Being thorough is important for hygiene and cash handling, while initiative is appreciated by employers seeking staff who can take responsibility for maintaining the café. Showing service-mindedness and treating guests kindly are crucial to creating a pleasant environment. Flexibility and willingness to take on various tasks are also advantageous. An open mind and eagerness to learn new things enable quick development within the profession and open up future career opportunities.
Key facts about cafeteria assistants
- Education level: High school education or equivalent experience
- Work environment: Social, often high-paced with varying hours
- Common employment type: Hourly or temporary employment
- Demand: Limited opportunities according to the Swedish Public Employment Service
- Number of available jobs: 123 nationwide (May 2024)
Career paths and future prospects
After several years of experience, opportunities include becoming a supervisor, kitchen manager, or restaurant manager within the café and restaurant industry. Some choose to further specialize as a pastry chef, barista, or in other areas to broaden their career options. The Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast indicates that demand for cafeteria assistants is expected to remain unchanged for the next five years, with a current surplus of workers in the field. Nonetheless, experience and engagement can lead to new opportunities, especially for those willing to take on more responsibility or pursue further training.
Frequently asked questions about cafeteria assistants
- What does a cafeteria assistant earn?
- The average salary is 25 800 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience and region. - How do salary differences between men and women look?
- Women earn an average of 26,100 SEK, which is 104% of men's average salary of 25,000 SEK. - What education is required to become a cafeteria assistant?
- Formal education is usually not required, but a high school diploma in restaurant management or experience in service professions is advantageous. - What is the job market like for cafeteria assistants?
- Opportunities for employment are limited and competition is high, with a surplus of applicants according to the Swedish Public Employment Service. - What are the most common benefits?
- Common benefits include overtime pay, staff discounts, free meals, and wellness allowances. - Are there opportunities for advancement?
- Yes, with experience, one can become a supervisor or further train as a barista or pastry chef. - What is the hourly wage?
- The average hourly wage for cafeteria assistants is 155 SEK.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 111% | 23200 kr | 24500 kr |
| 25-34 | 26800 kr | 27800 kr | |
| Snitt | 104% | 24600 kr | 25800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 111% | 23200 kr | 24500 kr |
| 25-34 | 26800 kr | 27800 kr | |
| Snitt | 104% | 24600 kr | 25800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 111% | 23200 kr | 24500 kr |
| 25-34 | 26800 kr | 27800 kr | |
| Snitt | 104% | 24600 kr | 25800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 111% | 21700 kr | 22600 kr |
| Snitt | 104% | 23900 kr | 25000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 111% | 21700 kr | 22600 kr |
| Snitt | 104% | 23900 kr | 25000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 111% | 21700 kr | 22600 kr |
| Snitt | 104% | 23900 kr | 25000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 111% | 23700 kr | 25000 kr |
| Snitt | 104% | 24900 kr | 26100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 111% | 23700 kr | 25000 kr |
| Snitt | 104% | 24900 kr | 26100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 111% | 23700 kr | 25000 kr |
| Snitt | 104% | 24900 kr | 26100 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 Cafeteria assistant has the SSYK code 9413, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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