- Salary statistics
- Wine consultant
Wine consultant
33 688 - 32 942 kr / month
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Wine consultant
What does a Wine Consultant do? – Tasks and work environment
A Wine Consultant works with guiding companies, restaurants, and private individuals on choices, purchases, and handling of wine. Tasks often include conducting wine tastings, creating wine lists, training staff, and providing advice on purchasing and storage. It is common for Wine Consultants to be hired by restaurants, wine importers, or work as independent consultants. The work environment varies between restaurants, conference venues, vineyards, and sometimes office settings. The profession requires knowledge of wine properties and the ability to communicate this knowledge in an engaging and pedagogical manner.
Salary development over time
The salary development for Wine Consultants has been relatively stable over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 32,540 SEK per month, which increased slightly to 32 805 SEK in 2023 and reached 32 942 SEK in 2024. This development corresponds to a total increase of just over 1.2% over the three-year period, indicating a low but steady salary growth within the profession. The salary trend partly reflects the general demand for specialized wine knowledge and the fact that the profession is often associated with assignments rather than permanent employment. Since many Wine Consultants work on a freelance basis, their earnings are also influenced by clients' willingness to pay and the economic situation within the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Wine Consultant salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 32 942 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: No data available
- Hourly wage: 198 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: No specific data for men or women
- Regional differences: No specific data available
Education and qualifications
To work as a Wine Consultant, a combination of practical experience and theoretical knowledge about wine is often required. Many have completed vocational training as sommeliers, often followed by specialized courses or certifications in wine assessment. Practical experience from working in restaurants or wine import companies is highly meritorious, and some choose to deepen their knowledge through international training.
- Sommeliers training: 1–2 years, often at a vocational college
- International certifications: Examples include WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) levels 2–3
- Internships: Experience from restaurants, wine bars, or importers
- Courses: Continuing education in sensory analysis, food and wine pairing
- Prerequisites: Basic interest and knowledge of food and beverages
Many Wine Consultants have the opportunity to travel to wine-producing countries to deepen their knowledge and establish contacts directly with producers. This can provide a unique insight into the journey of wine from grape to bottle and is often highly appreciated by both consultants and their clients.
Common benefits and compensations
Common benefits for Wine Consultants include access to exclusive wine tastings, opportunities to travel to vineyards and industry fairs, as well as discounts on wine and food. Several employers also offer educational grants for further training in wine and gastronomy, along with flexible working hours for consulting assignments.
Competition and challenges
The competition within the profession of Wine Consultant is noticeable, especially in metropolitan areas where demand for wine expertise is highest but also the supply of qualified consultants is large. One of the biggest challenges is building a strong network and gaining trust from potential clients. Since many work as self-employed, business acumen and the ability to market their services are also required. The market is sensitive to economic fluctuations, which can affect the demand for consulting services in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. Staying updated on trends and news in the wine world is crucial to maintaining competitiveness.
Tips for aspiring Wine Consultants
To succeed as a Wine Consultant, it is good to combine curiosity with a strong interest in the world of wine. Precision is an important trait, especially in assessments and advising, and actively participating in tastings and courses to broaden knowledge is valuable. Social skills and pedagogical ability are essential during client meetings and training sessions, while an entrepreneurial spirit helps to build and maintain a network of clients. Being flexible and open to new working methods, such as online tastings or international collaborations, can create more opportunities in the profession. Last but not least, patience is key, as it often takes time to establish oneself as a sought-after consultant in the market.
Key facts about Wine Consultant
- Average salary: 32 942 SEK/month
- Hourly wage: 198 SEK/hour
- Education level: Sommelier training, often supplemented with international certifications
- Job market: 1,437 job openings in the profession
- Typical work form: Consulting assignments and self-employment
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a Wine Consultant, there are opportunities to develop into more specialized roles, such as head sommelier, trainer, or product manager at wine importers. Some choose to start their own wine business or work in marketing and event planning within the wine industry. Forecasts from the Employment Service show that demand for wine expertise remains stable, with 1,437 job openings in the profession, although competition can be fierce in larger cities. The increasing trend of wine tastings and the interest in wine as a culture contribute to positive future prospects. New opportunities also arise through digital services and international collaborations, making the profession dynamic and developmental.
Frequently asked questions about Wine Consulting
- What does a Wine Consultant earn?
- The average salary for a Wine Consultant is 32 942 SEK per month. - How to become a Wine Consultant?
- The most common route is through sommelier training, internships, and further education in wine. - What workplaces are common for a Wine Consultant?
- Restaurants, wine importers, event companies, and working as an independent consultant. - Do you need certification to work as a Wine Consultant?
- Many employers prefer international certifications such as WSET, but it is not a requirement. - Are there good future prospects for Wine Consultants?
- Yes, demand is stable with over 1400 job openings in the profession. - Can you work internationally as a Wine Consultant?
- Yes, especially with international certifications and language skills, there are opportunities abroad.
Salary distributed by age and sector
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 Wine consultant has the SSYK code 7613, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
-
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