Alcohol counselor salary

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  2. Alcohol counselor salary
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Alcohol counselor salary

37 100 SEK

Treatment assistants and social pedagogues etc.

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

33 500 - 46 600 SEK / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Socialt arbete

Average salary 37 100 SEK/month Monthly gross salary
Salary range 33 500 - 46 600 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Calculate take-home pay for Alcohol counselor 37 100 SEK/month prefilled Calculate gross salary for Alcohol counselor Start from net pay More salary pages Browse more roles Open jobs for Alcohol counselor 329 matching jobs in Socialt arbete

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Salary trend About the role What does an Alcohol Counselor do? – Tasks and Work Environment Salary development over time Alcohol Counselor salary – comprehensive overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Alcohol counselor

Average salary 37 100 kr
Males 37 400 kr
Females 36 800 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 329 Vacant jobs ->

What does an Alcohol Counselor do? – Tasks and Work Environment

An Alcohol Counselor works to support and guide individuals with alcohol misuse or risky drinking. Tasks include talk therapy, counseling, motivational work, and collaboration with other health and social care professionals. The work is often conducted individually but also in groups, where the counselor helps clients find strategies for a sober life and manage relapses. Alcohol Counselors are employed within municipal units, private treatment centers, or non-profit organizations, working both during the day and sometimes evenings depending on the organization’s needs. The work environment can be emotionally demanding but also very rewarding, as the counselor has the opportunity to make a significant difference in people's lives.

Salary development over time

The salary for Alcohol Counselors has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,200 SEK, which increased to 36 100 SEK in 2023 and now stands at 37 100 SEK for 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 8.7% during this period. The salary development is linked to increased awareness of mental health and addiction issues, which has boosted demand for qualified counseling and treatment. Additionally, the educational level within the profession has risen, pushing salaries upward. The Alcohol Counselor market is characterized by a balance between supply and demand, contributing to stable and predictable salary growth.

Alcohol Counselor salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 37 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,800 SEK (female, government sector)
  • Highest salary: 41,500 SEK (female, municipal sector, research education)
  • Lowest salary for men: 32,400 SEK
  • Highest salary for men: 39,200 SEK
  • Hourly wage: 217 SEK
  • Women earn: 36 800 SEK (98% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 37 400 SEK

Education and qualifications

To work as an Alcohol Counselor, a post-secondary education in social work, treatment pedagogy, or similar fields is usually required. Many employers prefer candidates who have completed additional courses in addiction studies and counseling techniques. Internships during education are often advantageous, as well as supervision or work experience in related professions.

  • Vocational higher education: Treatment pedagogue / Alcohol and drug therapist, 2 years
  • University studies: Social work program, 3–3.5 years
  • Certifications: Motivational interviewing (MI), CBT courses
  • Internships: Common during training, sometimes required for permanent employment
  • Prerequisites: High school diploma, sometimes work experience
  • Tips: Courses in addiction studies, ethics, and counseling techniques increase employability

Many Alcohol Counselors work closely with both clients and their relatives, which requires high empathy and the ability to handle sensitive situations. The work often involves collaboration with schools, companies, and authorities—providing broad contact networks and opportunities to influence on multiple levels.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Alcohol Counselors are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, and subsidized lunches. Flexible working hours, supervision, and professional development are common parts of employment. In some cases, additional vacation days or compensation for unsociable hours are provided, especially in municipal and government sectors.

Challenges and competition

The profession of Alcohol Counselor features a balanced job market, with the number of available positions and applicants remaining relatively equal. Challenges may include emotional strain and high workload, especially during periods of increased demand for support services. Employers often require both formal education and practical experience, which can make entry difficult for recent graduates. Nonetheless, the work is meaningful, and the ability to impact individuals’ lives is significant. Regional differences may exist, with larger cities offering more positions but also more competition.

Tips for aspiring Alcohol Counselors

To succeed as an Alcohol Counselor, it is important to have a genuine desire to help others and the ability to meet people with respect. Being attentive and patient is crucial for building trust in conversations and providing appropriate support. It is also important to have a stable self-image and the ability to handle emotionally demanding situations without taking work home. Skills in counseling techniques, especially motivational interviewing, are highly valuable and can improve employment prospects. Building networks within social work and continuously participating in professional development increases chances for growth in the field. Structured documentation and teamwork skills facilitate daily work and make you a valued colleague. The ability to see the whole picture of the client’s situation often leads to successful outcomes.

Key facts about Alcohol Counselors

  • Educational level: Post-secondary (YH or university)
  • Work environment: Municipal, private, and non-profit sectors
  • Common employment type: Permanent, sometimes project-based
  • Number of job openings: 237 (within the profession)
  • Demand: Moderate, forecast unchanged (Arbetsförmedlingen)

Career paths and future outlook

After 3–5 years in the profession, an Alcohol Counselor can advance to more senior roles such as coordinator, supervisor, or specialized treatment provider within addiction care. Further education in psychotherapy, CBT, or leadership opens doors to roles like operations developer or trainer. According to the Employment Service’s forecast for treatment assistants and social pedagogues, job opportunities are moderate, and the job market is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. There are good opportunities for skill development and working across various sectors, making the profession flexible and adaptable for those seeking to broaden their careers.

Frequently asked questions about Alcohol Counselors

  • What is the average salary of an Alcohol Counselor?
    - An Alcohol Counselor has an average salary of 37 100 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Women earn 36 800 SEK and men 37 400 SEK, which means women earn approximately 98% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become an Alcohol Counselor?
    - Typically, post-secondary education in social work, treatment pedagogy, or equivalent is required, often supplemented with courses in addiction studies and counseling techniques.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Salary levels may vary between regions, with larger cities often having slightly higher salaries and more positions.
  • What are the job responsibilities of an Alcohol Counselor?
    - Alcohol Counselors work with counseling, advising, documentation, and collaboration with other professionals regarding client treatment.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - According to the Employment Service, the demand is moderate, and the job market is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for an Alcohol Counselor?
    - The highest salary is 41,500 SEK (female, municipal sector, research education) and the lowest is 31,800 SEK (female, government sector).

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 19:50:32

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Alcohol counselor is 46600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Municipal sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 40000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Alcohol counselor is 33500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 34700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 29700 kr 32800 kr
25-34 94% 33500 kr 35900 kr
35-44 99% 34800 kr 37100 kr
45-54 99% 35500 kr 38100 kr
55-64 101% 36000 kr 37900 kr
65-68 104% 34700 kr 37500 kr
Snitt 98% 34700 kr 37100 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Alcohol counselor has the SSYK code 3411, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 390
Net salary
31 390
Taxes
11 718
Fees
12 582

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* Updated with 2026 taxes

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