- Salary statistics
- Gardener
Gardener
28 000 - 30 300 kr / month
Women earn 92% of what men do.
Naturbruk
Salary progression Gardener
What does a gardener do? – Tasks and work environment
A gardener works with cultivating and maintaining plants, flowers, vegetables, and fruits in various environments such as garden centers, greenhouses, plant nurseries, or outdoors. Tasks include planting, pruning, watering, fertilizing, pest control, harvesting, and selling products. The work is often outdoors and involves varying physical activity across different seasons. Gardeners need good knowledge of plant biology and sustainable cultivation methods, as well as the ability to handle machinery and tools in their daily work.
Salary development over time
The profession of gardener has experienced steady positive salary growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 26,500 SEK per month, which increased to 27 600 SEK in 2023 and reached 29 300 SEK in 2024. This development corresponds to an approximate 11% salary increase over the period, slightly above the average for many professions within the natural resources sector. The increase can partly be explained by increased demand for locally produced crops and a growing interest in sustainable cultivation. Despite this, the salary level remains below the national average, reflecting seasonal variations, education requirements, and market competition within the industry.
Gardener salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 29 300 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 28,000 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 30,300 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 176 SEK/hour
- Women earn: 28,000 SEK/month (92% of men's salary)
- Men earn: 30,300 SEK/month
- Regional differences: No clear statistics available
Education and qualifications
To work as a gardener, a high school education within the natural resources program with a focus on gardening is usually required, but there are also adult education and vocational training programs in the field. Practical experience is highly valued, and many combine education with internships to develop their skills. There are also opportunities to deepen knowledge through short courses, certifications, and self-study.
- High school education: Natural resources program, gardening specialization (3 years)
- Vocational college: 1–2 years, often with specialized tracks
- Internships: Usually included as part of training or apprenticeship periods
- Courses/certificates: For example, plant protection, pruning, or organic farming
- Prerequisites: Basic eligibility, interest in plants and outdoor work
Many gardeners combine their profession with selling at markets or through farm shops. This provides opportunities to develop entrepreneurship and establish closer contact with customers, which can be both rewarding and developmental.
Common benefits and compensations
Gardeners are often covered by collective agreements that include holiday pay, overtime premiums for work at inconvenient times, and sometimes wellness allowances. Access to work clothing and protective equipment is common, as well as opportunities for further training provided by the employer. Seasonal employees may also receive bonuses or supplements during high workload periods.
Competition and challenges
The job market for gardeners can be seasonal and influenced by weather, economy, and consumption trends. Competition for permanent positions can be tough, especially in regions with many applicants and few larger employers. Physically demanding tasks and high demands on flexibility pose challenges, while technological development and sustainability requirements are changing the profession. The lack of clear future projections makes it important to stay updated on new cultivation methods and industry demand.
Tips for those who want to become gardeners
To succeed as a gardener, it is good to combine a strong work ethic with a genuine interest in plants and patience. Attention to detail and a sense of responsibility are important qualities, especially when following cultivation schedules and caring for plants under varying conditions. Being flexible and able to handle both solo work and teamwork is valuable, as tasks often vary and require team effort during harvest or planting. Initiative and willingness to learn new techniques, such as organic cultivation or machinery handling, provide advantages in a changing job market. Last but not least, endurance and good physical condition are crucial, as the profession often involves heavy lifting and long outdoor working days.
Key facts about gardeners
- Average salary: 29 300 SEK/month
- Salary range: 28,000–30,300 SEK/month
- Education path: Natural resources program or vocational college
- Work environment: Outdoors, seasonal variations
- Job openings: Approximately 360 advertised positions
Career paths and future prospects
After a few years of experience, gardeners can advance to roles such as supervisor, production manager, or start their own business in cultivation and sales. There are also opportunities to specialize in areas like organic farming, plant protection, or landscape construction. According to the Employment Service, specific future projections for the profession are lacking due to limited data, but there is a stable number of job openings within the profession. For those looking to develop further, the industry offers opportunities for additional training and niche roles, such as plant breeding or consulting.
Frequently asked questions about gardeners
- What does a gardener earn?
- The average salary for a gardener is 29 300 SEK per month. - How do salary differences between men and women look?
- Men earn an average of 30,300 SEK and women 28,000 SEK, which means women earn approximately 92% of men's salaries. - What education is required to become a gardener?
- The most common qualification is the natural resources program with a focus on gardening or equivalent vocational training. - What does the job market look like for gardeners?
- There are approximately 360 job openings, but future projections are lacking due to limited data. - What tasks does a gardener perform?
- Tasks include cultivating, planting, maintenance, harvesting, and selling plants and crops. - Are there regional salary differences?
- No clear statistics are available regarding regional salary differences for gardeners in Sweden. - What personal qualities are most important for the profession?
- Patience, thoroughness, good physical condition, and an interest in plants are crucial for success and enjoyment as a gardener.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 28400 kr | 28700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 28700 kr | 28800 kr | |
| Snitt | 92% | 29200 kr | 29300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 28400 kr | 28700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 28700 kr | 28800 kr | |
| Snitt | 92% | 29200 kr | 29300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 28400 kr | 28700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 28700 kr | 28800 kr | |
| Snitt | 92% | 29200 kr | 29300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 92% | 30200 kr | 30300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 92% | 30200 kr | 30300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 92% | 30200 kr | 30300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 92% | 27700 kr | 28000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 92% | 27700 kr | 28000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 92% | 27700 kr | 28000 kr |
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 Gardener has the SSYK code 6112, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
-
Operations manager, agriculture, mixed plant species
Growers of agricultural crops, fruit and berries
Fri, 5 Dec 2025 - 12:18
-
Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest
Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35 -
The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden
Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00