What does a restaurant cashier do? – tasks and work environment
A restaurant cashier primarily handles taking orders, processing payments, and providing service to guests in various restaurant settings. Tasks include greeting customers in a friendly and efficient manner, ensuring the cash register functions correctly, and sometimes assisting with simpler serving duties. The work is often fast-paced, especially during lunch and dinner rushes, requiring the ability to handle stress and switch quickly between different tasks. The work environment is typically social and customer-oriented, where teamwork and good customer service are essential for a smooth workday.
Salary development over time
The salary for a restaurant cashier has shown a steady upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,900 SEK per month, increasing to 29 300 in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has reached 30 100, representing an increase of approximately 8% over three years. This salary development reflects a general trend in service professions where competition for labor and rising living costs have positively impacted wages. At the same time, demand for cashiers has been relatively stable, so wage increases are mainly linked to central negotiations and inflation adjustments rather than increased pressure on the labor market. The wage gap between men and women is small, around 1%.
Restaurant cashier salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 30 100 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 27,000 SEK/month (men), 29,100 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 32,200 SEK/month (men), 30,800 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage (average): 181 SEK
- Gender pay gap: Women earn 99% of men's salary (men: 30 300 SEK, women: 30 000 SEK)
- Regional differences: Highest wages are found within the regional sector for men, with variations depending on the workplace and region.
Education and qualifications
To work as a restaurant cashier, usually no extensive formal education is required, but employers typically prefer a high school diploma, preferably with a focus on restaurant, trade, or service. Practical experience from restaurant or cashier work is advantageous, and internal training is often provided. Personal qualities such as stress tolerance, accuracy, and service orientation are highly valued.
- High school education: 3 years, preferably with a focus on restaurant or trade
- Internship: Workplace-based internship or summer job within the restaurant sector
- Internal training: Common at larger workplaces
- Prerequisites: Basic math skills and good communication abilities
- Courses/certifications: Cash handling, hygiene training, and sometimes food handling
Many restaurant cashiers quickly develop a unique sense for both queue and customer flow, making them indispensable during stressful periods. Several employers value this ability more than prior experience, as the right personality often weighs more than the CV.
Common benefits and compensations
Restaurant cashiers are often offered benefits such as overtime pay for evening and weekend work, staff discounts on food and drinks, and opportunities for training in service and cash handling. Some employers also offer wellness allowances, bonuses for high performance, and flexible working hours. Compensation for overtime and extra work is also common.
Competition and challenges
The labor market for restaurant cashiers is characterized by high competition and an oversupply of applicants, according to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts. Job opportunities are limited, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. The main challenge is standing out among many applicants, especially in metropolitan areas where competition is fierce. Although there are 550 available jobs in the profession, flexibility in working hours and good service skills are often required to secure the most attractive positions. Technological tools and digital cash systems are also changing job tasks, requiring adaptability.
Tips for aspiring restaurant cashiers
To succeed as a restaurant cashier, having a genuine interest in service and flexibility in working hours is beneficial. Developing good stress tolerance helps during busy periods and makes it easier to handle many guests simultaneously. Precision in cash handling is crucial to avoid errors and build trust with employers. A positive and communicative personality makes it easier to interact professionally with different types of customers. Quickly learning new cash systems and routines is an important skill, as is being solution-oriented in unexpected situations. Show engagement by taking initiative at the workplace – this is appreciated by colleagues and managers. Punctuality and reliability are also highly valued qualities in the profession.
Key facts about restaurant cashiers
- Salary range: 27,000–32,200 SEK/month
- Average salary: 30 100 SEK/month
- Education level: High school education (3 years) is most common
- Work environment: Customer-oriented, often high tempo and variable working hours
- Demand: Limited opportunities, oversupply of applicants
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a restaurant cashier, there may be opportunities to advance to team leader or shift supervisor within the restaurant, especially for those demonstrating responsibility and leadership skills. Experience in cashier work also provides a good foundation for moving into other roles within service, retail, or administration. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, future prospects are expected to remain unchanged with limited job opportunities, so competition for available positions is likely to continue being high. For those wishing to develop within the industry, further education in restaurant management or sales can open more doors, and experience from cashier work is often valued by employers in other customer-facing roles.
Frequently asked questions about restaurant cashiers
- What is the average salary of a restaurant cashier?
- The average salary is 30 100 SEK per month.
- What education is required to become a restaurant cashier?
- High school education, preferably with a focus on restaurant or trade, is most common. Internal training is also available.
- Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
- Yes, women earn approximately 99% of men's salaries within the profession.
- What are the future prospects for the profession?
- Job opportunities are limited, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
- What are the duties of a restaurant cashier?
- Main tasks include taking orders, handling payments, and providing service to guests.
- What is the highest and lowest salary for restaurant cashiers?
- Highest salary: 32,200 SEK (men), 30,800 SEK (women). Lowest salary: 27,000 SEK (men), 29,100 SEK (women).
- How many job openings are available within the profession?
- There are approximately 550 available jobs in the cashier and related fields.
