What does a Breakfast Host do? – Responsibilities and Work Environment
A Breakfast Host plays a central role at hotels, conference facilities, and other businesses within the hospitality industry where breakfast service is provided. The main tasks include preparing, setting up, and serving breakfast buffets, assisting guests with questions and requests, and ensuring the dining area remains clean and pleasant. It often also involves dishwashing, refilling food and drinks, and some cash handling. The work is usually performed early in the mornings and can be physically demanding, with a fast pace and many tasks where service skills and flexibility are crucial. The work environment involves contact with guests from various cultures and requires good teamwork within a group of colleagues.
Salary Development Over Time
The salary for a Breakfast Host has shown a clear positive trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 25,200 SEK per month and increased to 26 600 SEK in 2023, which is approximately a 5.6% increase. Between 2023 and 2024, the trend continued upward to 27 900 SEK, a further increase of about 4.9%. This development can be partly explained by general salary adjustments within the hotel and restaurant industry and increased demand for service staff. Salaries are also influenced by collective agreements, work experience, and the size of the employer. Despite many part-time positions in the profession, there has been a steady and continuous improvement in salary conditions over recent years.
Many Breakfast Hosts have the opportunity to meet guests from around the world, making the profession an excellent stepping stone for developing language skills and intercultural competence. Daily contact with people provides variety and the chance to quickly build strong confidence in service roles.
Breakfast Host Salary – Complete Overview
- Average salary: 27 900 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 24,800 SEK/month (female, private sector, pre-high school education)
- Highest salary: 33,700 SEK/month (male, public sector, pre-high school education)
- Hourly wage: 168 SEK (based on 166 hours/month)
- Women’s salary as a percentage of men’s: 98%
- Men’s average salary: 28 300 SEK/month
- Women’s average salary: 27 600 SEK/month
Education and Qualifications
To work as a Breakfast Host, usually no extensive formal education is required, but a high school diploma with a focus on hotel and restaurant management is advantageous. Many employers value practical experience and good language skills highly. New employees often receive internal training and onboarding at the workplace. Personal qualities such as service orientation, responsibility, and the ability to work independently are important for success in the profession.
- High school education: Hotel and Tourism Program or Restaurant and Food Service Program (3 years)
- Introduction/internship: Commonly includes on-site training over a few weeks
- Courses/certificates: Hygiene training and allergy awareness are often advantageous
- Language skills: Good Swedish and English; additional languages are a plus
- Personal qualities: Service-minded, flexible, stress-resistant
Common Benefits and Compensation
Breakfast Hosts are often covered by collective agreements, entitling them to overtime pay for early mornings, weekends, and public holidays. Many employers also offer staff discounts, uniforms, and sometimes meal benefits. Some hotels and larger workplaces provide wellness allowances or opportunities for further training within the company.
Competition and Challenges
The job market for Breakfast Hosts is generally good, with great opportunities for employment according to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts. At the same time, the profession is characterized by high competition for the most attractive positions, especially at larger hotels in city centers. Many positions are part-time, which can make it challenging to find full-time work. The job requires early mornings and physical effort, demanding endurance and stress resilience. Recruitment difficulties occur, particularly during peak seasons, but employers often seek individuals with the right service attitude and flexibility rather than extensive experience.
Tips for Aspiring Breakfast Hosts
To succeed as a Breakfast Host, it’s important to have genuine service skills and always prioritize the guest’s needs. A positive attitude and stress resilience make it easier to handle early mornings and high pace, especially during busy periods. Being flexible and able to adapt to different tasks and routines is appreciated by employers. Good teamwork and communication skills, especially in Swedish and English, open more opportunities. Taking initiative and showing responsibility facilitate onboarding and the chance to take on more responsibilities. Attention to detail and organizational skills are important for maintaining high standards at the breakfast buffet and in the work environment. Showing interest in food, drinks, and guest interaction can also increase motivation and enjoyment in the profession.
Key Facts About the Breakfast Host
- Educational requirements: Usually high school, but formal education is not mandatory
- Work environment: Hotels, restaurants, and conference centers with early mornings
- Work arrangements: Commonly part-time and shift work
- Demand: Great opportunities for employment, especially during high season
- Job vacancies: 123 advertised positions within the profession (2024)
Career Paths and Future Outlook
After several years of experience as a Breakfast Host, there are opportunities to advance to supervisory roles, such as breakfast manager or team leader within service. It is also common to move on to other positions within the hotel and restaurant industry, such as conference host, restaurant assistant, or reception staff. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s occupational forecast, job opportunities remain large and demand is expected to stay unchanged over five years. However, recruitment can be competitive, especially for full-time positions. For those wishing to develop further, courses and training in hotel management or food and beverage can provide additional career opportunities within the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Breakfast Host
- What is the average salary of a Breakfast Host?
- A Breakfast Host has an average monthly salary of 27 900 SEK.
- What are the lowest and highest salaries for a Breakfast Host?
- The lowest reported salary is 24,800 SEK, while the highest is 33,700 SEK.
- What does the hourly wage look like for a Breakfast Host?
- The hourly wage is 168 SEK based on average hours.
- Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
- Yes, women earn an average of 27 600 SEK and men 28 300 SEK, which means women earn approximately 98% of men's salaries.
- Is education required to become a Breakfast Host?
- Formal education is not always necessary, but a high school diploma in hotel or restaurant management is advantageous.
- What are the future prospects for a Breakfast Host?
- Demand is expected to be steady over the next five years with good job opportunities.
- What personal qualities are important for a Breakfast Host?
- Service attitude, stress resilience, and good teamwork skills are especially important in the profession.
