Image that illustrates Harvest workers

Harvest workers

27 500 kr

Berry pickers and planters etc.

24 900 - 28 500 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Naturbruk

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Harvest workers

Average salary 27 500 kr
Males 27 900 kr
Females 26 800 kr

What does a harvest worker do? – Tasks and working environment

A harvest worker is responsible for collecting and handling crops, fruit, or berries during the harvest season. Tasks often include manual picking, sorting, and sometimes simpler machine work depending on the crop and workplace. The work is mainly outdoors and physically demanding, involving long days in varying weather conditions. Harvest workers often work in teams and need both endurance and precision to ensure the harvest is managed with quality and efficiency. Seasonal variations can cause workload fluctuations throughout the year.

Salary development over time

The salary for harvest workers has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 23,500 SEK per month, rising to 26 400 SEK in 2023 and reaching 27 500 SEK in 2024. This development corresponds to a total salary increase of about 17% over the period. Factors driving this include increased demand for labor during harvest seasons, some shortage of available workers, and inflation adjustments affecting the entire labor market. Despite this, the salary level for harvest workers remains on the lower end compared to other natural resource professions, reflecting both educational requirements and the seasonal nature of the work.

Harvest worker salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 27 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 24,900 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 28,500 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 165 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Women earn 26,800 SEK, men 27 900 SEK (women 96% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Highest wages are found in regional sectors, lowest in public sector

Education and qualifications

Employers rarely require formal education to work as a harvest worker, but a high school background in natural resource management can be advantageous. Practical experience and good physical condition are often crucial for handling the tasks. Many employers offer introduction or on-the-job training upon hiring, especially for seasonal work.

  • Formal education: High school education in natural resource management (3 years) is advantageous but not required
  • Practical experience: Experience in agriculture, gardening, or berry picking is highly valued
  • Courses: Basic courses in work environment and safety may be offered
  • Pre-requisites: Good physical fitness and endurance are recommended
  • Tips for choosing: Summer jobs or seasonal work provide valuable experience

During peak season, workdays for harvest workers can start early in the morning and continue until late evening, making it a profession suited for those who enjoy working outdoors and appreciate the changing nature. Social interaction within work teams is often strong, and many return year after year to the same workplaces and colleagues.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Benefits for harvest workers vary between employers, but it is common to have supplements for inconvenient working hours and sometimes bonuses based on quantity harvested. Meals or accommodation may be offered during seasonal employment, especially in rural areas. Some employers also provide work clothing and protective equipment.

Competition and challenges

The labor market for harvest workers is characterized by seasonal demand, which means competition for jobs can be high during certain periods and low during others. The Employment Service assesses the opportunities for employment in the profession as moderate, with the outlook for the next five years remaining unchanged. Challenges include physically demanding work, weather-dependent conditions, and often short-term employment. For those seeking long-term employment, combining seasonal work with other jobs or further education may be necessary.

Tips for those wanting to become a harvest worker

To succeed as a harvest worker, it is good to have endurance and a positive attitude towards outdoor physical work. Flexibility is important, as shifts often vary depending on weather and harvest readiness. Precision and responsibility facilitate handling the harvest and reduce waste, which employers appreciate. Being social and able to collaborate with others is also an advantage, as work is often done in groups. For newcomers, applying for summer jobs or internships can provide insight into the work environment. Good physical condition and willingness to learn new tasks ease adaptation to the job's demands, and showing initiative can increase chances of recurring seasonal employment.

Key facts about Harvest Workers

  • Salary range: 24,900–28,500 SEK/month
  • Average salary: 27 500 SEK/month
  • Education requirements: No formal education required, high school education advantageous
  • Work environment: Outdoors, physically demanding, seasonal
  • Job openings: 360 positions in the profession (2024)

Career paths and future outlook

After a few years of experience, harvest workers may have opportunities to advance to team leader or site supervisor in larger agricultural operations. Some choose to further their education in farming or horticulture and take on more qualified roles, such as machine operators or seasonal supervisor. The Employment Service estimates that demand for harvest workers will remain unchanged in the coming five years, and recruitment is in balance. This means job availability and job seekers are evenly distributed, but competition for more attractive workplaces may be greater. For those interested in continuing within natural resource management, options include specializing in crop production, organic farming, or starting their own business.

Common questions about Harvest Workers

  • What does a harvest worker earn?
    - A harvest worker has an average salary of 27 500 SEK per month.
  • How do salary differences between men and women look?
    - Men earn an average of 27 900 SEK and women 26,800 SEK, which means women earn 96% of men's salary.
  • What education is required to become a harvest worker?
    - No formal education is required, but a high school education in natural resource management is advantageous.
  • What is the work environment like?
    - The work is physically demanding, outdoors, and often seasonal.
  • Are there many job openings for harvest workers?
    - Yes, approximately 360 positions are available according to recent data.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - Demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, and the labor market is balanced.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a harvest worker?
    - The highest salary is 28,500 SEK and the lowest 24,900 SEK per month.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Harvest workers is 28500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector with a high school education, 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 26800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Harvest workers is 24900 kr. Both men and women in this profession have the same lowest salary and work in the Public sector.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 24500 kr 25200 kr
25-34 28000 kr 28200 kr
35-44 100% 27500 kr 27600 kr
45-54 96% 28100 kr 28300 kr
55-64 28300 kr 28500 kr
Snitt 96% 27200 kr 27500 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 Harvest workers has the SSYK code 9210, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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