Landlord

What does a caretaker do? – Tasks and work environment

A caretaker works as the primary contact for tenants in residential properties and is responsible for daily service and comfort maintenance. Typical tasks include handling fault reports, organizing repairs, showing apartments to new tenants, and informing about rules and routines. The role often requires a combination of practical work and customer service, with communication with residents at the center. The work environment varies between office work and fieldwork in residential areas, involving both indoor and outdoor tasks depending on the season and property needs.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, caretaker salaries have steadily increased. In 2022, the average salary was 30,300 SEK per month. The following year, 2023, it increased to 31 000 SEK, representing a rise of about 2.3%. Between 2023 and 2024, the average salary further rose to 32 400 SEK, an increase of nearly 4.5% compared to the previous year. Overall, salary growth for caretakers has been positive and has outpaced inflation during certain periods. This trend can be linked to increased demand for service-oriented property roles and broader professionalization within property management. Factors such as regional competition for labor and varying education levels also influence salary formation within the profession.

Caretaker salary – a complete overview

• Average salary: 32 400 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 22,600 SEK/month (female, private employee, data missing)
• Highest salary: 38,800 SEK/month (male, private employee, research education)
• Hourly wage (average): 195 SEK
• Men: 32 500 SEK/month
• Women: 31 900 SEK/month
• Women earn: 98% of men's salary
• Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on location and demand, with higher salaries in metropolitan areas.

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a caretaker often involves a combination of high school education and practical experience in property maintenance or customer service. There are no formal higher education requirements, but employers prefer candidates with relevant backgrounds in property management, technical work, or service industries. Courses and certifications in property maintenance, property technology, or occupational health and safety can enhance competitiveness in the job market. Internships or traineeships are common and provide valuable insight into the profession's daily work.

• High school education: Construction and civil engineering programs or plumbing and property management programs (3 years)
• Certifications: Courses in property management, occupational health and safety, and customer service
• Internships: Internships or traineeships provide valuable experience
• Prerequisites: Good Swedish skills in speaking and writing, a B driver's license may be required
• Further training: Opportunities for specialization in areas like energy efficiency or property technology

Common benefits and compensations

Caretakers are often covered by collective agreements that provide access to occupational pension, wellness allowance, work clothing, and sometimes training or development opportunities within the company.

Competition and challenges

The competition for caretaker positions is relatively high in many areas, partly due to an oversupply of applicants according to the latest forecast from the Employment Service. At the same time, demand nationwide remains unchanged over five years, creating a stable but not expanding labor market. Challenges in the profession often involve managing high service demands, quick responses, and sometimes complex conflicts among tenants. Digitalization and technical systems for fault reporting and maintenance increase the need for technical understanding. To stand out in the competition, practical experience and the ability to build good relationships with residents and colleagues are essential.

Tips for aspiring caretakers

To succeed as a caretaker, it’s helpful to have a strong sense of service and the ability to quickly solve problems in everyday work. Being communicative and attentive facilitates contact with tenants and makes it easier to handle both simple and challenging situations. Practical experience in property maintenance or similar roles provides a solid foundation and increases chances of employment. Showing initiative and willingness to learn new technical systems is also valuable, especially as digital tools become more common. Flexibility and patience are important since tasks often vary from day to day. Finally, the ability to work independently but also collaborate effectively with other property management roles is advantageous.

Key facts about caretakers

• Education level: Usually high school education suffices
• Work environment: Combination of office and fieldwork
• Typical employment: Full-time, employed by property companies
• Demand: 481 job openings nationwide
• Gender distribution: Men and women, with minor salary differences

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years as a caretaker, opportunities exist to advance to roles such as property technician responsible for larger areas, supervisor, or property manager within property companies. Further education in property economics or technology opens doors to more specialized positions, such as within energy efficiency or project management. According to the Employment Service’s forecast, the labor market for property technicians is stable but with limited job opportunities and a slight oversupply of applicants. Over five years, demand is expected to remain unchanged, which may keep competition for attractive positions high. Nonetheless, those investing in further education and building broad experience have good prospects.

Frequently asked questions about caretakers

• What is the average salary for a caretaker?
  - A caretaker has an average salary of 32 400 SEK per month.
• What are the salary differences between men and women?
  - Men earn on average 32 500 SEK and women 31 900 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salaries.
• What education is required to become a caretaker?
  - High school education in construction, plumbing, or property management usually suffices, sometimes supplemented with courses and internships.
• What is the highest and lowest salary for a caretaker?
  - The highest salary is 38,800 SEK and the lowest 22,600 SEK per month, depending on experience and education.
• What are the future prospects for the profession?
  - Job opportunities are considered limited and competition is relatively high, but the labor market is stable.
• What are the most common benefits?
  - Occupational pension, wellness allowance, work clothes, and sometimes training opportunities are common benefits.
• Are there regional salary differences?
  - Yes, salary levels can be higher in metropolitan areas compared to smaller towns.