Salary progression Dining room host

Average salary 28 300 kr
Males 28 600 kr
Females 28 100 kr

What does a dining hall attendant do? – Tasks and work environment

A dining hall attendant is responsible for creating a welcoming and comfortable environment in dining halls, restaurants, or school cafeterias. Tasks may include setting tables, welcoming guests, providing service during meals, and ensuring the dining area is clean and organized. Often, simpler administrative tasks and coordination with kitchen staff are included. The work is often in a fast-paced setting, especially during lunch and dinner times, requiring good teamwork and flexibility. Dining hall attendants work in both private and public sectors, and the work environment can range from small schools to larger conference centers or restaurants.

Salary development over time

The salary for dining hall attendants has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 25,200 SEK per month, rising to 27 900 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary now stands at 28 300 SEK, representing a total increase of approximately 11% over the period. This positive trend can be linked to increased demand for service staff as the restaurant and hospitality industry recovers post-pandemic, and competition for labor has increased. Collective bargaining agreements and inflation adjustments have also contributed to raising salary levels for the profession. Despite the salary increases, some differences remain between genders and regions.

Dining hall attendant salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 28 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 24,800 SEK/month (female, private sector, pre-high school education)
  • Highest salary: 33,700 SEK/month (male, public sector, pre-high school education shorter than 9 years)
  • Hourly wage: 168 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 98% of what men do (men: 28 600 SEK, women: 28 100 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salary levels may vary, but exact regional data is lacking

Education and qualifications

To work as a dining hall attendant, usually no formal higher education is required, but experience from restaurants, service, or large-scale catering is often advantageous. Many employers prefer applicants who have completed the restaurant and food service program at high school or have taken short courses in service and customer interaction. Practical experience and good references weigh heavily in recruitment, and internal training opportunities are often available.

  • High school education: Restaurant and Food Service Program (3 years)
  • Courses/certificates: Service, hygiene, and customer interaction
  • Internships: Common as part of education or employment
  • Prerequisites: Basic Swedish language skills and social competence
  • Tips for choosing: Experience from serving or customer contact is advantageous

Dining hall attendants often play a key role in creating a pleasant atmosphere and can influence guests' experiences more than many think. Good manners and the ability to handle stressful situations are highly valued qualities by both guests and colleagues.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Dining hall attendants are often covered by collective agreements that provide for evening and weekend overtime pay, holiday pay, and sometimes wellness allowances. Meal benefits or staff discounts on food are common, and some employers also offer opportunities for skills development or internal training.

Competition and challenges

The job market for dining hall attendants is characterized by high demand, but competition for full-time permanent positions can be tough, especially in metropolitan areas where many seek service jobs. Part-time work is common, and employers sometimes report difficulties in finding staff for inconvenient shifts. Challenges often include managing high work tempo, many guests, and high service expectations, requiring stamina and flexibility. For those wishing to advance in the industry, showing engagement and developing social skills is important.

Tips for those wanting to become a dining hall attendant

To succeed as a dining hall attendant, it is good to be service-minded and genuinely interested in meeting people. Initiative is valuable because the workday often requires solving small and large problems independently. Being stress-resistant during busy times is a big advantage, and a positive attitude can make a significant difference for both guests and colleagues. Good communication skills facilitate cooperation with the kitchen and other staff, and thoroughness in work ensures the dining hall maintains high standards. Taking responsibility and showing engagement can open doors to more advanced roles within the restaurant industry.

Key facts about dining hall attendants

  • Average salary: 28 300 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school education recommended (restaurant and food service program)
  • Work environment: Fast-paced and social, often in larger dining halls or restaurants
  • Work forms: Part-time and full-time, often according to schedules with evening and weekend work
  • Demand: Great opportunities for employment nationwide

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience as a dining hall attendant, there are opportunities to advance to team leader, restaurant manager, or supervisor within serving. Some choose to further their education in hotel and restaurant management or specialize in events and conferences. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the outlook for restaurant and kitchen assistants is good, with significant job opportunities over the next five years and demand expected to remain stable nationwide. However, recruitment is characterized by a shortage of full-time staff, which can benefit those who are flexible and willing to work full-time. For those wishing to broaden their skills, opportunities also exist to work in training new staff or move into other roles within the hospitality industry.

Common questions about dining hall attendants

  • What does a dining hall attendant earn?
    - The average salary for a dining hall attendant is 28 300 SEK per month.
  • Are there differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn approximately 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • Is education required to become a dining hall attendant?
    - High school education in restaurant/food services is advantageous, but not always necessary.
  • What is the job market like?
    - There is high demand for dining hall attendants and good opportunities to get a job.
  • What is the highest salary for a dining hall attendant?
    - The highest reported salary is 33,700 SEK per month.
  • What are the most common work environments?
    - Dining hall attendants work in restaurants, schools, conference centers, and larger dining halls.
  • What is needed to enjoy the profession?
    - Social skills, service orientation, and stress resilience are important qualities.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Dining room host is 33800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a pre-secondary education, 9 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 32900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Dining room host is 24800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 25300 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 24000 kr 26500 kr
25-34 101% 28000 kr 29900 kr
35-44 93% 28400 kr 29900 kr
45-54 96% 28200 kr 29200 kr
55-64 105% 28200 kr 29000 kr
65-68 98% 28700 kr 29800 kr
Snitt 98% 26500 kr 28300 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 Dining room host has the SSYK code 9412, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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