Cashier

What does a cashier do? – Tasks and work environment

Cashiers mainly work with registering goods and handling payments in retail environments such as grocery stores, department stores, and service trade. The work involves daily customer contact, managing payment systems, cash registers, and often providing simple advice about products or services. Cashiers are responsible for ensuring the correct amount is collected, that the cash register balances, and that returns or exchanges are handled correctly. The work environment is often characterized by high tempo, especially during rush hours, and requires accuracy and good service skills. Shift work and weekend work are common, and the working position may be both standing and sitting during long shifts.

Salary development over time

The salary for cashiers has shown a steady but clear increase in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,900 SEK, which increased to 29 300 SEK in 2023 and then further to 30 100 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total salary increase of approximately 7.9% over three years, with the largest increase between 2022 and 2023. The trend can partly be explained by an increased focus on collective agreements and adjustments to meet inflation and societal cost developments. Despite this, the profession remains at a relatively stable salary level compared to other service jobs, reflecting both educational requirements and market demand. The increase has also been influenced by some employers improving working conditions to retain experienced staff in a competitive industry.

Cashier salary – complete overview

• Average salary: 30 100 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 27,000 SEK/month (male), 29,100 SEK/month (female)
• Highest salary: 32,200 SEK/month (male), 30,800 SEK/month (female)
• Hourly wage: 181 SEK
• Gender differences: Women earn 99% of what men do (men: 30 300 SEK, women: 30 000 SEK)
• Regional differences: Salary variations may occur depending on employer and location, with higher salaries in larger cities and regional sectors.

Education and qualifications

To work as a cashier, usually no formal education beyond compulsory school is required, but high school education in trade and administration is meritorious and common. Many employers offer internal introduction or shorter training courses in cash register systems and customer service. Practical experience in service jobs can be an advantage, and for some workplaces, good Swedish language skills in speech and writing are also required.

• High school education: Trade and administration programs (3 years) are most common.
• Internal training: Cash register systems, security routines, and customer service.
• Internships: Internships or introductory training are often offered for new employees.
• Prerequisites: Good communication skills and basic mathematical knowledge.
• Tips for choosing: Experience from other service jobs can be advantageous when applying.

Common benefits and compensations

Cashiers are often covered by collective agreements that grant rights to evening and weekend supplements, holiday pay, and sometimes also wellness contributions. Other benefits can include staff discounts, opportunities for further training, and sometimes access to occupational health services. The extent of benefits varies between employers and industry segments.

Competition and challenges

The competition for cashier jobs is high, and according to the Employment Service's assessment, there is a surplus of labor in the profession. Job opportunities are considered limited, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. Challenges include high work pace, demands for accuracy, and the ability to handle stressful situations while maintaining good service. Additionally, increasing automation in retail, such as self-checkout systems, affects the need for traditional cashiers. Flexibility and adaptability are increasingly important qualities to meet changes in the labor market.

Tips for those who want to become a cashier

To succeed as a cashier, it is good to be both service-minded and resilient, as the work often involves many customer encounters and a high tempo. Developing good communication skills facilitates interaction with different types of customers and makes it easier to handle conflicts or misunderstandings. Accuracy is an important trait to avoid cash discrepancies and handle payments correctly, especially during busy periods. Flexibility and quick adaptation help when cash register systems or routines change, which is common in the industry. Being positive and solution-oriented contributes to a better working environment for both customers and colleagues. Finally, the chances of employment increase if previous experience from service or trade can be demonstrated, so it is advantageous to seek internships or part-time jobs during studies.

Key facts about cashiers

• Educational level: High school education most common (trade and administration)
• Work environment: Retail, department stores, and service trade with shift work
• Demand: Limited job opportunities, surplus of labor
• Job vacancies: 550 advertised positions within the profession
• Gender distribution: Small difference in salaries between women and men

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a cashier, there are opportunities to develop into other roles within retail, such as team leader, store salesperson with increased responsibility, or administrative staff. Some choose to further educate themselves in sales, logistics, or store management to take the next step in their career. According to the Employment Service's forecast, job opportunities nationally are small, with an oversupply of applicants and unchanged demand over five years. Automation and digitalization influence the profession's future, but experience from cashier work remains valuable for roles involving customer contact and sales. Those who want to advance in retail should actively seek further training and specialize to increase their competitiveness.

Frequently asked questions about cashiers

• What is the salary of a cashier?
  - The average salary for a cashier is 30 100 SEK per month.
• What are the gender differences in the profession?
  - Women earn 99% of what men do, with an average salary of 30 000 SEK compared to men's 30 300 SEK.
• What education is required to become a cashier?
  - High school education in trade and administration is most common, but formal requirements vary.
• What are the future prospects for cashiers?
  - The Employment Service assesses that job opportunities are limited and that demand will remain unchanged over the next five years.
• Are there opportunities for career development?
  - It is possible to advance to roles such as team leader or store manager through experience and further education.
• What is the work environment like?
  - Work often takes place in retail environments with high tempo, varying working hours, and a lot of customer contact.
• What are the highest and lowest salaries for cashiers?
  - The highest salary is 32,200 SEK per month (male, regional sector), and the lowest is 27,000 SEK (male, upper secondary education).