Food assistant

What does a Livsmedelsbiträde do? – Tasks and work environment

A Livsmedelsbiträde primarily works in stores selling daily goods and food products. Tasks include customer service, stock picking, cash register work, and maintaining order on shelves and in storage areas. The profession often involves working at a fast pace, especially during peak hours, and managing both physical work and customer interactions. Livsmedelsbiträden are also responsible for following hygiene regulations and handling fresh products safely. Working hours can vary and often include evenings and weekends, making flexibility an important trait in the role.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary of a Livsmedelsbiträde has increased from 30,800 SEK in 2022 to 32 200 SEK in 2023 and further to 33 500 SEK in 2024. This development represents a total salary increase of approximately 8.8% during the period. The positive trend mainly reflects rising societal costs and a slight increased demand for experienced store staff, despite the industry generally having a surplus of workers. Salary increases may also result from collective bargaining negotiations and adjustments to meet inflation. Variations between regions and sectors are relatively small, indicating a uniform salary structure within the profession. However, clear gender differences remain, with men earning more on average than women, although the gap is slowly decreasing.

Livsmedelsbiträde salary – complete overview

• Average salary: 33 500 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 32,100 SEK/month (female, regional sector, up to 2 years of high school education)
• Highest salary: 37,900 SEK/month (male, private sector, 3 or more years of post-secondary education)
• Hourly wage: 201 SEK
• Gender differences: Women earn 96% of what men do; men 34 300 SEK, women 33 100 SEK
• Regional differences: Smaller differences, but highest salaries are often in metropolitan areas and private sector

Education and qualifications

To work as a Livsmedelsbiträde, no extensive formal education is usually required, as the profession is open to many with basic high school education. Many employers prefer candidates who have completed a business and administration program at high school, but it is not mandatory. Practical experience in service work or retail is often advantageous, and internal training is common. Some workplaces may require short courses in food hygiene, especially if handling fresh products.

• High school education: Business and administration program, 3 years
• On-the-job training: Commonly provided directly at the workplace
• Food hygiene courses: Recommended when handling fresh products
• Internships: Meritorious, especially in daily goods retail
• Language skills: Basic Swedish required, English can be an advantage

Common benefits and compensations

Livsmedelsbiträden are often covered by collective agreements that entitle them to holiday pay, evening and weekend extra pay, and pension contributions. Other common benefits include discounts on store products, wellness allowances, and sometimes staff bonuses based on sales performance. Some employers also offer staff activities and in-house training.

Competition and challenges

The job market for Livsmedelsbiträden is characterized by an oversupply of applicants, resulting in tough competition for permanent positions. According to the Employment Service, opportunities are limited and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. The role often involves physically demanding tasks, irregular hours, and sometimes stressful environments, especially during high customer traffic. Digitalization and self-checkout solutions may also lead to changes in job duties in the future. For those looking to establish themselves in the industry, it is important to demonstrate engagement, flexibility, and willingness to accept temporary or part-time positions initially.

Tips for aspiring Livsmedelsbiträde

To succeed as a Livsmedelsbiträde, being outgoing and service-minded is beneficial, as customer contact is a major part of the job. Showing flexibility by being willing to work evenings and weekends increases chances of employment, especially in larger stores. Accuracy is an important trait, as handling fresh products requires strict hygiene compliance. Being resilient under high workload or during promotional periods, and good teamwork skills, facilitate effective work. The ability to quickly learn new tasks and take initiative is valued by employers, especially when responsible for different departments or improving routines. Finally, having basic Swedish skills and additional language skills is advantageous for providing good service to all customers.

Key facts about Livsmedelsbiträde

• Education level: High school education, often Business and Administration program
• Work environment: Retail setting with customer contact and physical work
• Work hours: Irregular hours, often evenings and weekends
• Demand: Limited opportunities, oversupply of workers according to the Employment Service
• Number of job openings: 550 in the retail sector, food products

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a Livsmedelsbiträde can advance to roles such as department manager, team leader, or store assistant with increased responsibilities for orders and stock. Those wishing to develop further can pursue training to become a store manager or specialize in sales, purchasing, or logistics. However, the Employment Service indicates that future prospects for retail salespersons in daily goods are limited, as the number of applicants exceeds available positions, with demand expected to stay unchanged. Digitalization and automation may influence staffing needs over time, but personal service and experience remain highly valued by many employers.

Frequently asked questions about Livsmedelsbiträde

• What is the average salary of a Livsmedelsbiträde?
  - The average salary is 33 500 SEK per month.
• How does the salary differ between men and women?
  - Men earn 34 300 SEK while women earn 33 100 SEK, which means women earn 96% of men's salary.
• What are the requirements to become a Livsmedelsbiträde?
  - Basic high school education and preferably experience in service or retail, sometimes also courses in food hygiene.
• What are the future prospects?
  - According to the Employment Service, opportunities are limited and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
• What are the job responsibilities of a Livsmedelsbiträde?
  - Customer service, stock picking, cash register work, handling fresh products, and maintaining order in the store.
• Are there regional differences in salary?
  - Regional differences exist but are relatively small. Highest salaries are usually found in metropolitan areas and within the private sector.
• How can a Livsmedelsbiträde develop in their career?
  - Through experience and further training, one can advance to team leader, department manager, or store manager.