Image that illustrates Shoe polisher

Shoe polisher

29 500 kr

Car detailers, window cleaners etc.

23 700 - 32 600 kr / month

Women earn 92% of what men do.

Sanering och renhållning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Shoe polisher

Average salary 29 500 kr
Males 30 100 kr
Females 27 600 kr

What does a Shoe Shiner do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Shoe Shiner is responsible for cleaning, caring for, and polishing shoes for customers, often in stores, hotels, or public places. Tasks include receiving shoes, identifying materials and appropriate products, applying cleaning agents and waxes, and performing polishing to restore shine and condition. The role also involves advising customers on shoe care and sometimes selling accessories. The work environment can vary from small, traditional shoe shine corners to larger workplaces with a broader service offering, but common features include standing work and direct customer contact.

Salary development over time

The profession of Shoe Shiner has shown fluctuating salary development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 26,700 SEK per month, which increased significantly to 30 700 SEK in 2023 – a rise of approximately 15%. Subsequently, the salary decreased to 29 500 SEK in 2024, representing a reduction of about 4% from the previous year. This trend can be explained by temporary demand fluctuations, competition from related professions, and potential changes in collective agreements. It is also clear that the profession is influenced by economic conditions and the availability of labor in the service sector.

Shoe Shiner salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 29 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 23,700 SEK/month (female, public sector)
  • Highest salary: 32,600 SEK/month (male, private sector)
  • Hourly wage: 177 SEK/hour (hourly paid, average 166 hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn 92% of what men do (men 30 100 SEK, women 27 600 SEK)
  • Regional differences: No specific data available

Education and qualifications

No formal education is required to work as a Shoe Shiner, but it is common to learn the profession through practice or mentorship by experienced colleagues. Basic knowledge of materials, chemicals, and service is important, and a pre-secondary education is usually sufficient. Some employers may offer internal courses or introductory training for new employees.

  • Formal education: No requirement for high school diploma, pre-secondary education most common
  • Apprenticeship/internship: Often learning on the job or internship under supervision
  • Courses: Employers may offer internal training in shoe care
  • Prerequisites: Service skills and attention to detail are appreciated
  • Tips for choosing: Interest in craftsmanship and customer contact is advantageous

Many Shoe Shiners develop an eye for exclusive materials and shoes over time, often becoming experts at identifying and restoring even rare or very expensive shoe models. This specialist knowledge can be in demand in the fashion industry and among collectors.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Shoe Shiners can expect basic benefits such as holiday pay, overtime premiums, and sometimes commissions on the sale of shoe care products. Some employers also offer wellness allowances and work clothing. Benefits vary depending on whether the employment is in the private or public sector.

Competition and challenges

The profession of Shoe Shiner is characterized by relatively high competition, especially in larger cities where the service is more in demand but also more people seek work. A challenge is that the job is often seen as an entry-level position, leading to high staff turnover and difficulties for employers to find long-term employees. Technological developments and changing consumption habits also affect demand, as more people choose to buy new shoes rather than caring for old ones. At the same time, specialization and good service can provide competitive advantages for those who want to stay and develop within the profession.

Tips for those who want to become a Shoe Shiner

To succeed as a Shoe Shiner, it is good to be meticulous and have a genuine interest in craftsmanship and materials. Developing an eye for details enables delivering high-quality shoe care and creating satisfied customers. Service orientation is crucial, as the job involves direct contact with people and often requires listening to customer wishes. Flexibility helps when tasks vary and the pace can change quickly during the day. Being resilient and able to stand and work for longer periods is also important, as well as taking initiative for further training or learning new techniques in shoe care.

Key facts about Shoe Shiners

  • Salary range: 23,700–32,600 SEK/month
  • Average salary: 29 500 SEK/month
  • Education level: No formal education required
  • Work environment: Customer-facing, often standing work
  • Demand: 123 job openings, unchanged outlook

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience, a Shoe Shiner can advance to more specialized roles within shoe care or take greater responsibility for a store or workgroup. Some choose to start their own business or develop expertise in exclusive materials and repairs. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate good employment opportunities within the profession, but demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. At the same time, there is a paradoxical recruitment situation where it is both difficult to find the right skills and staff turnover is high, suggesting good long-term opportunities for those committed to the profession.

Frequently asked questions about Shoe Shiners

  • What is the average salary of a Shoe Shiner?
    - A Shoe Shiner has an average salary of 29 500 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a Shoe Shiner?
    - No formal education is required, but practical training and supervision are common.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn 92% of what men do in the profession.
  • What are the future prospects for Shoe Shiners?
    - Demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years according to the Employment Service.
  • What are the most common work environments for Shoe Shiners?
    - Work often takes place in stores, hotels, or public spaces with high customer contact.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a Shoe Shiner?
    - The highest salary is 32,600 SEK (male, private sector), and the lowest is 23,700 SEK (female, public sector).
  • How many job openings are there for Shoe Shiners?
    - There are 123 job openings within the profession and similar occupations.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Shoe polisher is 32600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a pre-secondary education shorter than 9 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 29200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Shoe polisher is 23700 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 25200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 91% 26800 kr 27600 kr
25-34 106% 25900 kr 26500 kr
35-44 89% 29900 kr 31000 kr
45-54 90% 29000 kr 30300 kr
55-64 96% 29500 kr 30500 kr
Snitt 92% 28600 kr 29500 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 Shoe polisher has the SSYK code 9120, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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