- Salary statistics
- Lawyer
Lawyer
60 800 - 67 300 kr / month
Women earn 90% of what men do.
Administration, ekonomi
Salary progression Lawyer
What does a Lawyer do? – Tasks and Work Environment
A lawyer works by providing legal advice, representing clients in court, and assisting with negotiations or disputes. Tasks include reviewing and drafting contracts, conducting legal proceedings across various areas such as business law, criminal law, or family law. Lawyers often work at law firms but can also be employed by companies, organizations, or within the public sector. The work environment is mainly office-based with meetings, preparations, and legal negotiations, where high workload and precision are common.
Salary Development Over Time
Lawyer salaries have shown a clear increase in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 57900 SEK per month, rising the following year to 58 600. In 2024, the average salary reached 64 300, representing an approximately 11% increase over three years. This growth can be explained by increased demand for qualified lawyers, especially in business law and specialized areas, as well as a generally strong job market for legal professions. At the same time, competition for talent has led employers to offer more competitive salaries.
Lawyer Salary – Complete Overview
- Average salary: 64 300 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 60,800 SEK/month (female, public sector)
- Highest salary: 67,300 SEK/month (male, private sector)
- Hourly wage: 387 SEK/hour
- Gender gap: Women earn 90% of what men do (60,900 SEK vs. 67,300 SEK)
- Regional differences: Highest salaries occur in metropolitan regions, but detailed statistics vary
Education and Qualifications
The path to becoming a lawyer in Sweden is long and requires both academic education and practical experience. First, a law degree is needed, followed by several years working as an assistant lawyer and passing the lawyer's exam. Then, membership in the Swedish Bar Association is required to use the title lawyer.
- Law degree: 4.5 years at university
- Notarial internship: Recommended but not mandatory
- Work as assistant lawyer: At least three years
- Lawyer's exam: Mandatory training and examination
- Membership in the Swedish Bar Association: Required for the professional title
- Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for university studies
- Tips for choosing specialization: Focusing on areas like business law or criminal law can enhance career opportunities
Many lawyers have the opportunity to influence legal development by participating in legislation or advocacy. Their work can thus have an impact far beyond individual cases and contribute to societal progress.
Common Benefits and Compensation
Lawyers are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, private health insurance, wellness allowances, and sometimes bonus programs. Flexible working hours and remote work options may be available, especially at larger firms, but the workload is generally high, and overtime is common.
Competition and Challenges
The competition for attractive positions within the legal profession is significant, especially at larger firms and in specialized areas. New lawyers face high demands for performance, business acumen, and client relationship skills. Additionally, the industry’s development, including digitalization and new business models, is changing work methods and client expectations. Challenges such as high workload, tight deadlines, and the need for continuous skills development are central factors to manage for success and job satisfaction.
Tips for Aspiring Lawyers
To succeed as a lawyer, it’s good to combine analytical skills with perseverance, as complex legal cases often require thorough investigation and long-term effort. Strong communication skills facilitate client meetings and negotiations, while integrity and responsibility are crucial for building trust and handling sensitive cases. Early networking and internship seeking provide valuable insights into the industry and improve future employment prospects. An interest in societal issues and legislation fosters engagement in the profession, and further education in areas like business law or criminal law can be a success factor. Finally, the ability to manage stress and prioritize tasks is important to maintain high and consistent quality in work.
Key Facts About Lawyers
- Education level: Law degree (4.5 years) + Lawyer's exam
- Work environment: Office-based, fast-paced, sometimes flexible hours
- Typical employment: Employed at law firms or self-employed
- Demand: 758 job openings in 2024
- Gender distribution: Women earn 90% of men's salaries
Career Paths and Future Outlook
After three to five years in the profession, a lawyer can advance to partner at a firm, become a specialist within a legal area, or take leadership roles such as manager or responsible for major client assignments. The employment agency’s assessment of the profession is limited due to low statistical data, but the legal job market generally shows stable demand. The high level of education and the increasing need for qualified legal advice suggest continued good prospects, especially for those specializing in areas like business law, environmental law, or digitalization. In 2024, there were 758 job openings, indicating an ongoing dynamic and attractive job market for lawyers.
Common Questions About Lawyers
- What is the average salary of a Lawyer?
- The average salary is 64 300 SEK per month. - How large is the salary difference between men and women?
- Women earn an average of 60,900 SEK, which is 90% of men's average of 67,300 SEK. - What education is required to become a Lawyer?
- A law degree (4.5 years) plus a lawyer's exam and membership in the Swedish Bar Association are required. - What is the job market like for lawyers?
- There are 758 job openings and continued strong demand for qualified legal professionals. - What are the highest and lowest salaries for a Lawyer?
- Highest salary: 67,300 SEK (male, private sector). Lowest salary: 60,800 SEK (female, public sector). - Are there regional salary differences?
- Salaries are generally higher in metropolitan regions, but variations occur. - Can you work as a lawyer without being a member of the Swedish Bar Association?
- No, only members of the Swedish Bar Association can use the title lawyer.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 61100 kr | 61400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 75200 kr | 75800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 59700 kr | 60500 kr | |
| Snitt | 90% | 63700 kr | 64300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 61100 kr | 61400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 75200 kr | 75800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 59700 kr | 60500 kr | |
| Snitt | 90% | 63700 kr | 64300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 61100 kr | 61400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 75200 kr | 75800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 59700 kr | 60500 kr | |
| Snitt | 90% | 63700 kr | 64300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 85100 kr | 86100 kr | |
| Snitt | 90% | 66500 kr | 67300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 85100 kr | 86100 kr | |
| Snitt | 90% | 66500 kr | 67300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 85100 kr | 86100 kr | |
| Snitt | 90% | 66500 kr | 67300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 65800 kr | 66200 kr | |
| Snitt | 90% | 60600 kr | 60900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 65800 kr | 66200 kr | |
| Snitt | 90% | 60600 kr | 60900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 65800 kr | 66200 kr | |
| Snitt | 90% | 60600 kr | 60900 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 Lawyer has the SSYK code 2611, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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