Image that illustrates Cafe manager

Cafe manager

37 800 kr

Sales-oriented store managers and department managers in stores

34 600 - 41 000 kr / month

Women earn 101% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Cafe manager

Average salary 37 800 kr
Males 37 500 kr
Females 38 000 kr

What does a Café Manager do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A café manager is responsible for the daily operations of a café and often leads a small team of baristas and service staff. Tasks include planning staffing, purchasing supplies, managing budgets and finances, as well as developing menus and offers. An important part of the role is to ensure high service quality and that the café meets all food safety and workplace safety requirements. The work often takes place in a lively environment with varying pace, where customer contact and problem-solving are central elements.

Salary development over time

The salary for café managers has shown a steady upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 35,500 SEK per month, increasing to 36 800 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has reached 37 800 SEK, corresponding to an increase of approximately 6.5% over three years. This salary growth reflects increased demand for experienced leaders in the café and restaurant industry, as well as the industry's recovery after the pandemic. The salary increase can also be linked to competition for qualified workers and a greater focus on leadership and service quality in the sector. Women have experienced a somewhat stronger salary development than men, which is reflected in women café managers earning slightly more than their male colleagues now.

Café Manager Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 37 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,600 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 41,000 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 227 SEK
  • Women: 38 000 SEK/month
  • Men: 37,500 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 101% of what men do

Education and Qualifications

To work as a café manager, experience from the café or restaurant industry combined with leadership skills is usually required. Formal education is not always necessary, but many employers view high school education in hotel and restaurant management or equivalent positively. Shorter post-secondary courses, practical experience, and internal training programs are also common pathways into the profession.

  • High school education: Hotel and Restaurant Program (3 years)
  • Post-secondary courses: Leadership, economics, workplace safety (1–2 years, optional)
  • Practical experience: Several years working as a barista, service staff, or assistant manager
  • Certifications: Food hygiene and workplace safety (voluntary but advantageous)
  • Internal training: Introduction and leadership courses often offered by employers

An unexpected path to becoming a café manager can go via the barista role – many employers value practical experience and internal career development more than formal education. For those with a genuine interest in food and drinks and good at motivating others, there are good opportunities to quickly take responsibility within the industry.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Café managers often have access to collective agreement benefits such as pension contributions, holiday pay, and sick pay. It is also common with staff discounts, wellness allowances, and opportunities for skill development through training and internal courses. Some employers offer bonus or performance-based compensation depending on turnover and results.

Competition and Challenges

The profession of café manager is characterized by competition from both small and large players within the café and restaurant industry. Managing staff turnover, seasonal variations, and changing consumer habits are among the most common challenges. Hygiene and safety requirements are high and require constant attention. Digitalization and increased use of cash register systems and ordering apps demand technical competence. Success requires leadership skills, flexibility, and a lot of patience in working with both staff and guests.

Tips for Aspiring Café Managers

To succeed as a café manager, it is good to develop strong organizational skills, as the work often requires handling multiple tasks simultaneously and under time pressure. Being communicative facilitates collaboration with both staff and guests, which in turn contributes to a pleasant and efficient environment. Good leadership is crucial, so it pays to take responsibility early in the team and be attentive to others' needs. Flexibility is an important trait since workdays rarely look the same, and unexpected problems often need quick solutions. Showing engagement and interest in food, drinks, and service can also open doors to new opportunities within the industry. Being resilient and able to prioritize correctly is essential, especially during busy periods. Finally, curiosity about new trends and technical solutions that can streamline work and enhance customer experience is a big advantage.

Key Facts about Café Managers

  • Education level: High school diploma or equivalent work experience
  • Work environment: Social, fast-paced, customer-focused
  • Typical work arrangement: Full-time, often varying hours
  • Demand: 550 available jobs within the profession according to the latest survey
  • Gender distribution: Women have higher average salaries than men

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years in the profession, opportunities open for further advancement, such as restaurant manager, operations manager, or head of operations within larger café or restaurant chains. Some choose to start their own café or move into roles within education and coaching for new café entrepreneurs. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, demand for café managers is good, especially in metropolitan areas and tourist-heavy regions. Digitalization, sustainability, and new food trends create new roles and niches in the industry. Those with experience in personnel management and finance have particularly good prospects for advancement and increasing their salary over time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Café Managers

  • What does a Café Manager earn?
    - The average salary is 37 800 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 227 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a Café Manager?
    - High school education in hotel and restaurant management is common, but practical experience often weighs more.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 38 000 SEK, which is 101% of men's salaries.
  • What does the job market look like for Café Managers?
    - Demand is good with 550 available jobs within the profession according to the latest data.
  • What career paths are available after a few years in the role?
    - It is common to advance to restaurant manager, operations manager, or start your own café.
  • What workplace aspects should one be prepared for?
    - The pace is often high, and the work involves a lot of customer contact as well as responsibility for staff and finances.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Cafe manager is 41000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Privately employed officials with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 37500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Cafe manager is 34600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 37500 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 32000 kr 32700 kr
25-34 91% 38100 kr 39300 kr
35-44 93% 35800 kr 36100 kr
45-54 89% 36400 kr 36800 kr
55-64 37600 kr 0 kr
Snitt 101% 37000 kr 37800 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 Cafe manager has the SSYK code 5221, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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