- Salary statistics
- Dining assistant
Dining assistant
24 800 - 33 700 kr / month
Women earn 98% of what men do.
Hotell, restaurang
Salary progression Dining assistant
What does a dining hall assistant do? – tasks and work environment
A dining hall assistant mainly works with serving, setting tables, dishwashing, and maintaining order in dining areas within restaurants, schools, elderly care homes, or other large food service establishments. The tasks often include welcoming guests, serving food and drinks, clearing away, and ensuring the environment is pleasant and hygienic. The work environment is characterized by a fast pace, especially during lunch and dinner times, and involves a lot of standing and walking. Collaboration with chefs, kitchen staff, and other servers is common, as well as contact with guests of various ages and needs.
Salary development over time
The salary for dining hall assistants has shown positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 25,200 SEK, which increased to 26 600 SEK in 2023 and finally reached 27 900 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to an increase of approximately 11% over three years, slightly above inflation, indicating a growing demand for the profession. One reason for this trend is the strong labor market for restaurant and kitchen assistants, with many employers hiring, even though many in the field work part-time. The salary increase can also be linked to collective bargaining negotiations and an increased focus on working conditions in service jobs.
Dining hall assistant 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: 168 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: Men 28 300 SEK, women 27 600 SEK (women earn 98% of men's salary)
- Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on location and sector
Education and qualifications
To work as a dining hall assistant, usually no formal education is required, but a high school diploma in hospitality or food services is an advantage and can improve employment prospects. Many learn the profession through internships or on-the-job training. Employers often value service orientation, teamwork, and stress resilience more than specific degrees.
- Formal education: Hospitality and Food Service Program (3 years, high school level)
- Internship: Practical introduction at the workplace is common
- Prerequisites: Often no formal requirements, but good Swedish skills and service experience are advantageous
- Courses: Hygiene and serving courses can be a plus
- Tips for choosing: Education in service, kitchen, or serving increases job chances
The role of a dining hall assistant is often an entry point into the restaurant industry and provides valuable experience in service, teamwork, and guest interaction. For many, this profession has been the starting point for a long career in hotel and restaurant sectors both in Sweden and abroad.
Common benefits and compensations
Dining hall assistants are often covered by collective agreements that entitle them to evening and weekend supplements, holiday pay, and sometimes wellness allowances. Meals during shifts and work clothing are often provided by the employer. Other benefits may include staff discounts and opportunities for training or further development within the company.
Competition and challenges
The job market for dining hall assistants is characterized by high demand but also competition for more attractive positions, especially full-time and permanent jobs. A challenge is that many positions are part-time or seasonal, which can provide less financial security. Physical strain and a fast pace are everyday aspects, requiring good stress resilience. The work environment can be socially stimulating but also demands patience and the ability to handle diverse guests and situations. Digital tools and booking systems also require some digital competence.
Tips for those wanting to become a dining hall assistant
To succeed as a dining hall assistant, it’s helpful to have a positive attitude towards service and enjoy working with people. Being thorough and flexible is advantageous, as tasks can quickly shift between serving, dishwashing, and guest interaction. Stress resilience is important, especially during busy times, and good teamwork skills facilitate high-paced work. It’s recommended to seek internships or summer jobs to gain insight into the profession and build experience. Showing initiative and being helpful is appreciated by colleagues and guests alike. Finally, being attentive to guests’ needs and always striving to deliver friendly service often leads to repeat visitors and good references.
Key facts about dining hall assistants
- Education level: Usually high school, but not mandatory
- Work environment: Fast-paced, often in restaurants or large kitchens
- Work form: Commonly part-time and seasonal work
- Demand: Great opportunities for employment nationwide
- Special skills: Hygiene, service, and teamwork
Career paths and future prospects
After a few years in the profession, dining hall assistants can advance to more qualified roles such as waiter, kitchen assistant, maître d’, or kitchen manager. Further education within hospitality and hotel management also opens doors to leadership roles or specialization, for example in nutrition. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, job opportunities remain strong, and demand is expected to stay stable over the next five years. The recruitment situation is characterized by difficulty finding staff, especially for full-time roles, while many work part-time. Currently, there are 123 vacancies reported nationwide, indicating good chances of employment for those entering the profession.
Frequently asked questions about dining hall assistants
- What does a dining hall assistant earn?
- The average salary is 27 900 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 168 SEK. - Are there differences in salaries between men and women?
- Yes, men earn on average 28 300 SEK and women 27 600 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salaries. - What education is required to become a dining hall assistant?
- No formal education is required, but a high school diploma in hospitality or food services is advantageous. - What is the job market like for dining hall assistants?
- The job market is good with great opportunities for employment and 123 reported vacancies nationwide. - What tasks does a dining hall assistant perform?
- Common tasks include serving, setting tables, dishwashing, and maintaining order in the dining area. - What are career prospects within the profession?
- Opportunities to advance to waiter, kitchen assistant, or supervisory roles after a few years of experience. - What personal qualities are important for the profession?
- Service-mindedness, stress resilience, and teamwork skills are particularly important for success and enjoyment in the role.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | 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 |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 100% | 23100 kr | 26000 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 25700 kr | 26400 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 26600 kr | 27100 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 27100 kr | 27500 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 27900 kr | 28300 kr |
| 65-68 | 101% | 27800 kr | 28300 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 26900 kr | 27500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 25000 kr | 28800 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 28300 kr | 29600 kr |
| 35-44 | 94% | 30200 kr | 31500 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 30300 kr | 31400 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 30800 kr | 31700 kr |
| 65-68 | 103% | 29800 kr | 30600 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 30000 kr | 31200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 100% | 23600 kr | 25600 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 25700 kr | 26100 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 26500 kr | 26800 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 27000 kr | 27200 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 27700 kr | 28000 kr |
| 65-68 | 101% | 27600 kr | 28100 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 26900 kr | 27200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 22300 kr | 26300 kr |
| 25-34 | 99% | 25300 kr | 27300 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 26800 kr | 28200 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 27800 kr | 29100 kr |
| 55-64 | 99% | 28500 kr | 29800 kr |
| 65-68 | 104% | 28300 kr | 29600 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 26300 kr | 28300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 23700 kr | 26200 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 27100 kr | 28800 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 28800 kr | 30100 kr |
| 45-54 | 103% | 28200 kr | 29700 kr |
| 55-64 | 105% | 27500 kr | 28500 kr |
| 65-68 | 28000 kr | 29900 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 26100 kr | 28000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 23700 kr | 26200 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 27100 kr | 28800 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 28800 kr | 30100 kr |
| 45-54 | 103% | 28200 kr | 29700 kr |
| 55-64 | 105% | 27500 kr | 28500 kr |
| 65-68 | 28000 kr | 29900 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 26100 kr | 28000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 24100 kr | 26600 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 26500 kr | 28500 kr |
| 35-44 | 92% | 29400 kr | 30800 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 27700 kr | 29000 kr |
| 55-64 | 103% | 26900 kr | 27900 kr |
| 65-68 | 100% | 27300 kr | 28800 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 26400 kr | 28300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 100% | 23400 kr | 26000 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 25700 kr | 26500 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 26900 kr | 27600 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 27500 kr | 28000 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 27800 kr | 28200 kr |
| 65-68 | 101% | 27200 kr | 28000 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 26600 kr | 27400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 24900 kr | 28700 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 28800 kr | 30100 kr |
| 35-44 | 94% | 31200 kr | 32600 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 30800 kr | 31900 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 30900 kr | 32100 kr |
| 65-68 | 103% | 29400 kr | 30000 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 30200 kr | 31600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 100% | 23800 kr | 25700 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 25400 kr | 25900 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 26500 kr | 27000 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 26900 kr | 27300 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 27200 kr | 27400 kr |
| 65-68 | 101% | 26900 kr | 27800 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 26300 kr | 26900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 22300 kr | 26200 kr |
| 25-34 | 99% | 25500 kr | 27400 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 27200 kr | 28800 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 28100 kr | 29600 kr |
| 55-64 | 99% | 28600 kr | 30000 kr |
| 65-68 | 104% | 27300 kr | 28700 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 25700 kr | 28000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 24100 kr | 26600 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 26500 kr | 28600 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 29600 kr | 31000 kr |
| 45-54 | 103% | 27700 kr | 29100 kr |
| 55-64 | 105% | 26800 kr | 27800 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 26400 kr | 28300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 24100 kr | 26600 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 26500 kr | 28600 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 29600 kr | 31000 kr |
| 45-54 | 103% | 27700 kr | 29100 kr |
| 55-64 | 105% | 26800 kr | 27800 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 26400 kr | 28300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 23400 kr | 25900 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 27400 kr | 28700 kr |
| 35-44 | 92% | 27400 kr | 28400 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 27900 kr | 29000 kr |
| 55-64 | 103% | 28100 kr | 28800 kr |
| 65-68 | 100% | 28000 kr | 28900 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 26100 kr | 27600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 100% | 23100 kr | 25900 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 25800 kr | 26400 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 26600 kr | 27000 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 27100 kr | 27400 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 27900 kr | 28300 kr |
| 65-68 | 101% | 27800 kr | 28300 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 27000 kr | 27500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 25100 kr | 29100 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 27700 kr | 28900 kr |
| 35-44 | 94% | 29400 kr | 30600 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 30100 kr | 31000 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 30800 kr | 31500 kr |
| 65-68 | 103% | 30100 kr | 31000 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 29800 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 100% | 23500 kr | 25600 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 25800 kr | 26200 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 26500 kr | 26800 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 27000 kr | 27200 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 27800 kr | 28000 kr |
| 65-68 | 101% | 27700 kr | 28100 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 27000 kr | 27300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 22300 kr | 26400 kr |
| 25-34 | 99% | 25100 kr | 27100 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 26700 kr | 28000 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 27700 kr | 29000 kr |
| 55-64 | 99% | 28400 kr | 29800 kr |
| 65-68 | 104% | 28400 kr | 29700 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 26500 kr | 28400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 23400 kr | 25900 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 27600 kr | 29000 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 27800 kr | 28900 kr |
| 45-54 | 103% | 28600 kr | 30100 kr |
| 55-64 | 105% | 28400 kr | 29300 kr |
| 65-68 | 28300 kr | 30100 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 25800 kr | 27700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 23400 kr | 25900 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 27600 kr | 29000 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 27800 kr | 28900 kr |
| 45-54 | 103% | 28600 kr | 30100 kr |
| 55-64 | 105% | 28400 kr | 29300 kr |
| 65-68 | 28300 kr | 30100 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 25800 kr | 27700 kr |
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 Dining 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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