How much does a Restaurant assistant make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Restaurant assistant
Image that illustrates Restaurant assistant

Restaurant 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 Restaurant assistant

Average salary 27 900 kr
Males 28 300 kr
Females 27 600 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 463 Vacant jobs ->

What does a restaurant assistant do? – Tasks and work environment

A restaurant assistant works with preparing and serving food, maintaining cleanliness in kitchen and dining areas, and providing service to guests. Main tasks include setting tables, clearing, washing dishes, refilling buffets, and assisting chefs and serving staff as needed. Many restaurant assistants work in school cafeterias, fast-food chains, cafes, or staff dining rooms where the pace is often fast and tasks vary throughout the day. The work environment is characterized by a lot of standing and moving, regular contact with colleagues and guests, and requirements for hygiene and service skills.

Salary development over time

The salary for restaurant assistants has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average was 25,200 SEK per month, rising to 26 600 in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has further increased to 27 900, representing an approximately 11% increase over three years. This positive trend reflects adjustments for inflation and continued high demand for staff in the restaurant industry, especially as the hospitality sector recovers from the pandemic. Salary increases have also been influenced by collective agreements and increased awareness of working conditions in service jobs. Despite this, salaries remain relatively low compared to many other professions, which reflects the entry barriers and nature of the work.

Restaurant assistant salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 27 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 24,800 SEK/month (female, private sector)
  • Highest salary: 33,700 SEK/month (male, public sector)
  • Hourly wage: 168 SEK/hour
  • Men earn: 28 300 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 27 600 SEK/month (98% of men's salary)

Education and qualifications

To work as a restaurant assistant, no formal education is usually required, but a high school program in hospitality and food service can be advantageous and improve employment prospects. Many employers offer on-site introduction and training is often provided directly on the job. Some workplaces may require certificates in hygiene or allergen management, especially in public sector settings.

  • High school education: Hospitality and Food Service (3 years, optional but meritorious)
  • Hygiene training: Short courses/certificates may be required
  • Practical experience: Experience from kitchens or serving is valuable
  • Prerequisites: Good knowledge of Swedish, service orientation, and stress resilience
  • On-the-job introduction: Commonly provided internally

Many restaurant assistants quickly gain broad experience in both kitchen work and customer contact, making the profession a good stepping stone for those who want to develop further within the restaurant industry or take on more qualified roles over time.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Restaurant assistants are often covered by collective agreements, which include overtime pay for evening and weekend work, holiday pay, sick pay, and sometimes wellness allowances. Meal benefits at the workplace are common, as are staff discounts and opportunities for further training within the company.

Challenges and competition

The market for restaurant assistants is characterized by high demand but also significant competition for the best workplaces—especially in metropolitan areas with many restaurants. A challenge is that many positions are part-time, which can affect income and job security. Physically demanding environments, irregular hours, and fast-paced work require endurance and flexibility. Despite relatively low entry requirements, job availability can vary seasonally and with economic conditions. The profession attracts many young people and those seeking their first work experience, leading to high turnover.

Tips for aspiring restaurant assistants

To succeed as a restaurant assistant, it’s good to be flexible and adaptable to the fast-changing work environment. A friendly attitude and service skills are appreciated by both guests and colleagues, so always greeting people with a smile makes a difference. Stress resilience is important, especially during busy times when many tasks must be handled simultaneously. Being thorough and maintaining good hygiene are crucial since the work often involves close contact with food and guests. Initiative and teamwork skills facilitate daily work, while a positive attitude and willingness to learn new tasks open doors for career development within the industry.

Key facts about Restaurant Assistant

  • Education level: Often high school, but not required
  • Work environment: Fast-paced and physical, often in kitchens or service areas
  • Work forms: Part-time and full-time, often evenings and weekends
  • Demand: Great opportunities for employment nationwide
  • Number of job openings: 123 (May 2024)

Career paths and future prospects

After several years of experience as a restaurant assistant, opportunities open for advancement to more qualified roles such as kitchen manager, team leader, or server. Some choose to further their education to become a chef, cold kitchen chef, or restaurant manager, often through internal training or additional studies at vocational colleges. According to the Employment Service, the prospects for work as a restaurant and kitchen assistant are large, with demand remaining stable over the next five years. The recruitment situation is characterized by a shortage of staff, especially for full-time positions, while many work part-time in the profession. For those with ambition, good work ethic, and a desire to continue in the restaurant industry, there are good career opportunities and chances for further skills development.

Frequently asked questions about Restaurant Assistant

  • What is the monthly salary of a restaurant assistant?
    - The average salary for a restaurant assistant is 27 900 SEK per month.
  • What is the hourly wage of a restaurant assistant?
    - The hourly wage averages 168 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a restaurant assistant?
    - No formal education is required, but high school programs in hospitality and food service are advantageous.
  • Are there differences in salary between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn 98% of what men do on average within the profession.
  • What are the future prospects for restaurant assistants?
    - Job opportunities are plentiful, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for restaurant assistants?
    - The highest salary is 33,700 SEK (male, public sector), and the lowest is 24,800 SEK (female, private sector).
  • How many job openings are available for restaurant assistants?
    - There are 123 available positions as of May 2024.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 11:09:25

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Restaurant 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 Restaurant 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
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

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 Restaurant assistant has the SSYK code 9412, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations
  • Read more about working as Ship chef

    Ship chef

    Chefs and cold buffet managers

    Fri, 5 Dec 2025 - 07:35
  • Read more about working as Kitchen assistant

    Kitchen assistant

    Restaurant and kitchen assistants etc.

    Fri, 5 Dec 2025 - 08:06
  • Read more about working as Diet cook

    Diet cook

    Chefs and cold buffet managers

    Fri, 5 Dec 2025 - 07:24
  • Read more about working as Bar master

    Bar master

    Bartenders

    Fri, 5 Dec 2025 - 06:33
  • Read more about working as barista

    barista

    Bartenders

    Fri, 5 Dec 2025 - 07:03
  • Read more about working as Hostel host

    Hostel host

    Hotel receptionists etc.

    Fri, 5 Dec 2025 - 00:55
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Public Opinion

    Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    National Debt

    The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes

Explore more topics