Image that illustrates Mass skull

Mass skull

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 Mass skull

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

What does a mässkalle do? – Tasks and work environment

A mässkalle primarily works within restaurant and large kitchen environments, often on ships, larger institutions, barracks, or similar facilities. The tasks involve assisting in serving areas, setting tables, clearing dishes, cleaning dining halls, and sometimes helping with simple kitchen duties. The environment can be lively and demanding, especially during meal shifts, and the work is often team-based. Flexibility and the ability to quickly switch between tasks are key qualities, and working hours can vary between day, evening, and weekends depending on operational needs.

Salary development over time

The salary for a mässkalle has shown steady and clear growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 25,200 SEK per month, which increased to 26 600 in 2023 and further to 27 900 in 2024. This represents a total increase of nearly 11% during this period, which is a relatively strong trend compared to many other service professions. Factors driving this increase include increased demand for workers in restaurants and large kitchens, as well as general wage pressure in service jobs. High staff turnover and difficulty recruiting experienced personnel also push wages up, especially in metropolitan areas and regions with high competition for labor.

mässkalle salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 27 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 24,800 SEK/month (female, private sector employee)
  • Highest salary: 33,700 SEK/month (male, public sector)
  • Hourly wage (average): 168 SEK
  • Women: 27 600 SEK/month
  • Men: 28 300 SEK/month
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 98% of what men do

Education and qualifications

To work as a mässkalle, formal education is generally not required, but experience from restaurants, large kitchens, or similar service roles is advantageous. Many employers offer on-the-job introductions, and it is common to start as a temporary or through internships. Success in the role is facilitated by good physical condition, stress resilience, and a service-oriented attitude. Although formal requirements are low, training in food handling or hygiene can be a plus.

  • Formal education: None required, but high school education in restaurant or hotel management can be beneficial
  • Certifications: Food hygiene and safety (short courses)
  • Internships: Common to start via internships or introductory programs
  • Prerequisites: Good Swedish language skills and basic social competence
  • Tips for selection: Experience from service roles and good teamwork skills are highly valued

Many mässkalle workers quickly build a broad network of contacts, especially if the workplace is a ship or a large institution. It is not uncommon for the role to serve as a stepping stone to more qualified positions within restaurant or logistics – especially for those who show initiative and take responsibility.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In addition to base salary, extra pay for unsocial hours, weekend and evening work, and meal benefits at the workplace are often offered. Employee discounts, wellness allowances, and sometimes free work clothing are also common. Some workplaces may include training opportunities and possibilities for further development as part of the employment.

Competition and challenges

Although demand for mässkalle workers is stable and the number of available positions is relatively high, the profession is characterized by high staff turnover and competition for the most attractive workplaces. Recruitment difficulties are common, especially regarding workers willing to work part-time or irregular hours. The work can be physically demanding and fast-paced, requiring stress resilience and stamina. At the same time, it is often easy to enter the industry for motivated individuals, and opportunities to advance to more specialized roles exist for those who show engagement and responsibility.

Tips for those who want to become a mässkalle

To succeed as a mässkalle, it is good to be flexible and stress-resistant, as the pace is often high and tasks can change quickly. Having a strong service attitude and the ability to interact positively with guests and colleagues is very valuable. Precision and orderliness facilitate work with cleaning, setting tables, and handling food. It is recommended to seek internships or extra work in restaurants or large kitchens to gain insight into the profession and build important contacts. Showing initiative and taking responsibility is appreciated by employers and can lead to faster advancement. Finally, it is important to be able to collaborate and work in teams, as the work environment is often social and team-oriented.

Key facts about mässkalle

  • Education requirements: No formal education required
  • Work environment: Ships, institutions, large kitchens
  • Typical employment type: Part-time and temporary work
  • Demand: Great opportunities for employment nationwide
  • Number of available jobs: 123 registered positions

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a mässkalle, there are good opportunities to advance to more qualified roles within the restaurant and large kitchen industry, such as kitchen assistant, serving staff, or supervisor. The Employment Service forecasts that the need for restaurant and kitchen assistants will remain unchanged over five years, but job opportunities are considered large. The recruitment situation is characterized by a high supply of part-time workers and difficulties in finding personnel for certain shifts, creating openings for those who are flexible. Experience and engagement can also open doors to further education within restaurant, hotel, or logistics sectors, and it is not uncommon for mässkalle workers to further their education to take new steps in their careers within the industry.

Frequently asked questions about mässkalle

  • What is the average salary of a mässkalle?
    - A mässkalle has an average salary of 27 900 SEK per month.
  • How does the salary development look for mässkarlar?
    - The salary development has been positive over the past three years, with an increase of nearly 11% from 2022 to 2024.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn approximately 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • What are the job responsibilities of a mässkalle?
    - Tasks include serving, dishwashing, cleaning, and basic kitchen duties on ships or institutions.
  • Is training required to become a mässkalle?
    - Formal training is not required, but experience from restaurants or large kitchens is advantageous.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - Job opportunities are plentiful, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over five years according to the Employment Service.
  • What benefits are common for mässkalle workers?
    - Common benefits include overtime pay, meals at the workplace, wellness allowances, and employee discounts.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Mass skull 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 Mass skull 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 Mass skull has the SSYK code 9412, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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