Course host

What does a course host do? – Tasks and work environment

A course host primarily works with receiving, guiding, and assisting participants during training sessions, courses, or conferences. Tasks include ensuring that training rooms are prepared, managing registrations, providing information about schedules and practical details, and answering questions from participants. Course hosts often act as a link between organizers and attendees, helping to create a welcoming and professional environment. The profession typically involves working in training facilities, conference centers, or hotels, where customer service and hospitality are central. Working hours can vary, especially during evening events or weekends, and the work environment is characterized by social contact, teamwork, and a fast pace during busy periods.

Salary development over time

The salary development for course hosts has been positive over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,600 SEK per month, increasing to 28 900 SEK in 2023. The latest data for 2024 shows that the average salary is now 30 400 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 10% over the three-year period. This trend reflects both increased demand for service-oriented professions and general wage adjustments within the hospitality industry. Factors such as staff shortages, increased complexity of tasks, and language requirements may also have contributed to the rising salary levels. Despite stable salary growth, variations between employers and regions are noticeable, especially depending on education and experience.

Course host salary – complete overview

• Average salary: 30 400 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 26,900 SEK/month (female, pre-high school education)
• Highest salary: 32,200 SEK/month (male, private sector employee, post-secondary education < 3 years)
• Hourly wage: 183 SEK/hour (average, based on 166 working hours/month)
• Women: 30 100 SEK/month (97% of men's salary)
• Men: 31 000 SEK/month
• Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on location and employer, with somewhat higher wages in metropolitan areas.

Education and qualifications

To work as a course host, usually no formal higher education is required, but a high school diploma is common. Many employers value experience in service or administration, and language skills, especially English, are advantageous. Courses in customer service, conference administration, or hotel management can be beneficial. Practical experience, such as internships or part-time jobs in service, often weighs heavily in recruitment.

• High school diploma: Usually from hotel and tourism programs (3 years)
• Courses/certificates: Conference administration, service, and customer handling
• Internships: Meritorious, often through school or part-time work
• Language skills: English and other languages are an advantage
• Prerequisites: Good social skills and service-mindedness

Common benefits and compensations

A course host is often offered benefits such as evening and weekend work supplements, wellness allowances, staff discounts, and sometimes free meals during shifts. It is also common for employees to have access to internal training, opportunities for further development, and flexible working hours when needed, especially within larger organizations or hotel chains.

Competition and challenges

The job market for course hosts is characterized by high demand, but competition can be significant in attractive metropolitan areas where many seek service roles. A challenge is that many positions are part-time, making it difficult to secure full-time work immediately. The fast pace, varying hours, and the need to handle many different types of people require flexibility and resilience. Digitalization and increased demands for technical skills, such as managing booking systems and digital meeting tools, have also become part of the daily work. For those wishing to develop within the profession, it is important to be proactive and service-oriented, while being prepared for varying daily tasks.

Tips for aspiring course hosts

To succeed as a course host, it is helpful to combine a genuine interest in service with the ability to adapt quickly to new situations. Being communicative and attentive facilitates interactions with participants and colleagues, while an organized and structured approach helps keep track of details and schedules. Flexibility is a valuable asset, especially since tasks can vary and working hours are often irregular. Developing good language skills, particularly in English, increases the chances of working in international environments. Finally, experience from other service roles or volunteer work provides a solid foundation and demonstrates the ability to handle different people and situations.

Key facts about Course Host

• Education level: High school diploma, often with a service focus
• Work environment: Training facilities, hotels, and conference centers
• Employment type: Commonly part-time and temporary positions
• Demand: Great opportunities, especially during large events and conferences
• Special skills: Service, administration, and language skills

Career paths and future prospects

After several years of experience as a course host, there are opportunities to advance to more responsible roles, such as conference coordinator, reception manager, or training administrator. Some choose to further their education within the hotel and tourism industry or move into project management and event planning. According to the Employment Service's forecasts, opportunities for jobs as hotel receptionists and similar roles remain good, with unchanged demand over the next five years. However, the industry is characterized by many part-time positions and some recruitment challenges, meaning the availability of full-time jobs may vary. Currently, there are 123 job openings in the field according to the latest statistics, indicating a relatively strong job market for course hosts and related professions.

Common questions about Course Host

• What is the average salary of a course host?
  - A course host has an average monthly salary of 30 400 SEK.
• Are there salary differences between men and women?
  - Yes, men earn an average of 31 000 SEK while women earn 30 100 SEK, which means women earn approximately 97% of men's salaries.
• What education is required to become a course host?
  - A high school diploma, preferably from hotel or service programs, along with experience in service professions, is common.
• What does the job market look like for course hosts?
  - Opportunities for employment are plentiful, with many available positions and stable demand according to the Employment Service.
• What are the highest and lowest salaries for a course host?
  - The highest salary is 32,200 SEK and the lowest is 26,900 SEK, depending on education, gender, and employer.
• What personal qualities are important for a course host?
  - Good service sense, flexibility, and communication skills are especially important in this profession.