Image that illustrates Fruit growing workers

Fruit growing workers

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 Fruit growing workers

Average salary 27 500 kr
Males 27 900 kr
Females 26 800 kr

What does a fruit farming worker do? – Tasks and work environment

A fruit farming worker works with planting, caring for, and harvesting fruit on commercial orchards or smaller farms. Their main tasks include planting trees and bushes, pruning, watering, fertilizing, and pest and disease control. During the harvest season, collecting and sorting fruit are central tasks, often at a high pace and physically demanding. The work environment is mostly outdoors and heavily influenced by weather, season, and geographic location of the orchards. The work can be heavy and repetitive but also offers variety through different tasks throughout the year.

Wage development over time

The salary for fruit farming workers has shown a clear positive trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 23,500 SEK per month. In 2023, it increased to 26 400 SEK, representing a growth of about 12%. In 2024, the average salary is 27 500 SEK, a further increase of 4% from the previous year. This wage development reflects increased demand for labor in the cultivation sector and a generally improved job market for seasonal workers. It is also likely that changes in working conditions and increased awareness of occupational health have contributed to raising salary levels. Despite these improvements, gender differences persist, with women earning on average 96% of men's salaries.

Fruit farming worker 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
  • Men (average): 27 900 SEK/month
  • Women (average): 26,800 SEK/month
  • Women’s share of men’s salary: 96%

Education and qualifications

To work as a fruit farming worker, higher formal education is rarely required, but high school education in natural resource management or horticulture is advantageous. Practical experience often weighs heavily, and many employers offer introductory or short internal training. Specialized knowledge in plant protection, pruning, or machinery operation can be beneficial and increase employment and salary prospects.

  • High school education: Natural resource management program, 3 years
  • Internship/trainee: Common, especially before seasonal work
  • Certifications: Courses in plant protection, chainsaw operation, machinery licenses may be required
  • Prerequisites: Physical endurance and interest in outdoor work
  • Self-study/online: Basic courses on fruit cultivation and pruning are available

Seasonal variations mean that the tasks of a fruit farming worker can vary greatly throughout the year – from planting early in spring to intensive harvest work in the fall. Those who appreciate variety and following nature’s cycles can find great satisfaction in this profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In addition to the base salary, fruit farming workers may sometimes be offered allowances such as per diem when working away from home, bonuses during high production periods, and staff housing or subsidized accommodation. Some employers also offer wellness allowances and discounts on fruit or products from the farm.

Competition and challenges

The job market for fruit farming workers is characterized by seasonal fluctuations and competition for positions, especially during peak season. Many positions are temporary, which can create insecurity for those seeking long-term employment. Physically demanding tasks and work under varying weather conditions require stamina and flexibility. At the same time, demand for labor remains stable, and job opportunities are considered medium-sized nationally, according to the Swedish Public Employment Service. Challenges also include machinery handling and the need for specialized knowledge in plant protection.

Tips for those who want to become a fruit farming worker

To succeed as a fruit farming worker, it’s good to have a genuine interest in cultivation and nature. Endurance and good physical condition are important, as the work is often heavy and outdoors. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to different tasks and seasonal variations are advantageous, especially during busy periods like harvest. Precision is valuable when handling and sorting fruit, and teamwork skills facilitate work in groups. Those who show initiative and learn new tasks quickly can often take on more responsibilities or secure recurring seasonal employment.

Key facts about fruit farming workers

  • Education level: High school education in natural resource management is often advantageous
  • Work environment: Outdoors, physically demanding, seasonal
  • Employment type: Seasonal employment is common, but full-year positions also exist
  • Demand: Moderate, with a balance between supply and demand
  • Special skills: Pruning, plant protection, and machinery handling are valued

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience, a fruit farming worker can advance to supervisor or take responsibility for specific areas within the farm, such as plant protection or machinery. Some choose to further educate themselves as horticulturists or start their own farm. Projections from the Swedish Public Employment Service show that job opportunities within the group including fruit farm workers and nursery workers are medium-sized and expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. There is a balance between supply and demand, and currently, there are about 360 job openings nationwide. Regional differences occur, with larger cultivation regions offering more positions and sometimes slightly higher wages.

Frequently asked questions about fruit farming workers

  • What does a fruit farming worker earn?
    - The average salary is 27 500 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 165 SEK.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 26,800 SEK and men 27 900 SEK. Women earn 96% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required?
    - High school education in natural resource management is advantageous, but many are trained on-site.
  • What does the job market look like?
    - Opportunities are moderate nationally and expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a fruit farming worker?
    - The highest is 28,500 SEK; the lowest is 24,900 SEK.
  • What type of employment is most common?
    - Seasonal employment dominates, but full-year positions are also available.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Fruit growing workers 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 Fruit growing workers 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
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 Fruit growing workers has the SSYK code 9210, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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