Image that illustrates Lunch room assistant

Lunch room assistant

27 900 kr

Restaurant and kitchen assistants etc.

24 800 - 33 700 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Hotell, restaurang

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Lunch room assistant

Average salary 27 900 kr
Males 28 300 kr
Females 27 600 kr

What does a Lunchroom Assistant do? – Tasks and work environment

A Lunchroom Assistant primarily works in staff cafeterias, school restaurants, or lunch services. Tasks include preparing and serving food, washing dishes, cleaning, and maintaining order in the dining area. The role requires flexibility, good teamwork, and a high level of service, as work often occurs under time pressure with many guests at once. The environment is characterized by pace and varied tasks, with contact with colleagues and guests being a natural part of the workday.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for Lunchroom Assistants has shown a clear positive trend. In 2022, the average salary was 25,200 kronor per month, increasing to 26 600 kronor in 2023 and further to 27 900 kronor in 2024. This represents a total salary increase of just over 11% during this period. This development is linked to increased demand for the profession, especially within the public sector and larger workplaces where the need for service staff is constant. The market also experiences a certain shortage of personnel, positively affecting salary levels. Gender differences remain, with women earning about 98% of men's salaries, but the gap is gradually decreasing.

Lunchroom Assistant salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 27 900 kr/month
  • Lowest salary: 24,800 kr/month (woman, private sector employee, pre-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 33,700 kr/month (man, public sector, pre-secondary education less than 9 years)
  • Hourly wage: 168 kr
  • Gender differences: Men 28 300 kr, Women 27 600 kr (Women 98% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Not specified, but variations occur between larger cities and rural areas

Many Lunchroom Assistants quickly gain broad experience in both service and logistics, making the profession an excellent starting point for those who want to advance within the restaurant and large kitchen industry. Experience from lunchrooms is also valuable for employers in schools, healthcare, and larger companies where food service and customer interaction are central.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

A Lunchroom Assistant is a profession where formal education is rarely required, but the high school restaurant and food program provides a good foundation. Many employers offer introductory training on-site, and internships or summer jobs in restaurants or large kitchens are advantageous. Personal qualities such as service-mindedness and diligence often weigh heavily in recruitment.

  • High school education: Restaurant and Food Program (3 years)
  • Internships: Experience from kitchens, large kitchens, or cafes facilitates entry
  • On-the-job training: Often an introduction at the workplace
  • Prerequisites: No formal requirements, but good Swedish skills and teamwork ability are important
  • Tips: Summer jobs, internships, or volunteer work in serving can provide valuable references

Common benefits and compensations

Common benefits for Lunchroom Assistants include meal allowances, overtime pay for work at inconvenient times, and sometimes wellness allowances. In some cases, work clothes and employee discounts are included. Vacation pay and collective insurance agreements are standard in both public and private sectors.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a Lunchroom Assistant is relatively low nationally, as demand for labor is stable and the number of available jobs often exceeds applicants. At the same time, the profession experiences some staff turnover, and many work part-time or extra. Challenges include physical work, high pace, and managing many guests simultaneously. Recruitment can be difficult, especially in finding personnel with the right attitude and experience, particularly for part-time and temporary positions.

Tips for those who want to become Lunchroom Assistants

To succeed as a Lunchroom Assistant, it’s good to be flexible and have a positive attitude towards service. Diligence is crucial for maintaining cleanliness and following hygiene and safety routines. Being able to handle stress during busy times allows you to manage many guests while providing friendly service. Teamwork skills are important since work is often done in teams, and clear communication with colleagues and guests is helpful. Good organizational skills make it easier to solve practical problems quickly. Showing initiative and a willingness to learn new tasks also increases chances for development within the profession.

Key facts about Lunchroom Assistants

  • Education level: Often high school education, but no formal requirement
  • Work environment: Pace, physical work, and varied tasks
  • Employment form: Common with part-time, temporary, and hourly employment
  • Demand: Large opportunities for jobs nationwide
  • Number of available jobs: 123 within the profession (May 2024)

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Lunchroom Assistant, there are opportunities to advance to supervisory roles within kitchens or catering, such as kitchen manager or team leader. Many also choose to further educate themselves as cooks, head chefs, or take responsibility for orders and procurement. According to the Employment Service’s forecast, demand for restaurant and kitchen assistants remains high, and the need is expected to stay unchanged over five years. The industry offers good employment prospects, especially for those flexible with working hours and interested in working within the public sector, schools, or larger companies.

Frequently asked questions about Lunchroom Assistants

  • What does a Lunchroom Assistant earn?
    - A Lunchroom Assistant has an average salary of 27 900 kronor per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Men earn an average of 28 300 kronor, women 27 600 kronor, which means women earn 98% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to work as a Lunchroom Assistant?
    - Formal education is uncommon, but the high school restaurant and food program is advantageous.
  • What is the job market like for Lunchroom Assistants?
    - Opportunities for work are plentiful, and there is good access to available jobs within the profession.
  • Are there opportunities for career development?
    - Yes, experience as a Lunchroom Assistant can lead to roles such as kitchen supervisor or further education within kitchen and catering.
  • What are common employment types?
    - Part-time, temporary, and hourly employment are common in the profession.
  • How has the salary developed in recent years?
    - The salary has increased from 25,200 kronor in 2022 to 27 900 kronor in 2024.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Lunch room assistant is 33700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a pre-secondary education shorter than 9 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 31300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Lunch room assistant is 24800 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 25000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 97% 23700 kr 26200 kr
25-34 101% 27000 kr 28600 kr
35-44 92% 28400 kr 29500 kr
45-54 100% 27800 kr 29000 kr
55-64 103% 27700 kr 28400 kr
65-68 100% 27900 kr 28900 kr
Snitt 98% 26200 kr 27900 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 Lunch room assistant has the SSYK code 9412, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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