Image that illustrates Army Chief

Army Chief

51 300 kr

Officers

36 300 - 53 900 kr / month

Women earn 87% of what men do.

Militärt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Army Chief

Average salary 51 300 kr
Males 52 000 kr
Females 45 300 kr

What does an Army Chief do? – tasks and work environment

An Army Chief has ultimate responsibility for leading, planning, and developing the Army's activities within the Swedish Armed Forces. The position requires strategic leadership, extensive personnel responsibility, and the ability to make crucial decisions during both peacetime and crisis situations. The work environment is often dynamic and can involve work at headquarters as well as field exercises, focusing on ensuring the Army's operational capability, training, and development. The role also involves extensive collaboration with other parts of the defense, international actors, and authorities.

Salary development over time

The salary for an Army Chief has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 47,500 SEK, rising to 49 400 SEK in 2023 and further to 51 300 SEK in 2024. This development corresponds to a total increase of approximately 8% over the period, with an annual growth of about 4%. The salary trend can mainly be explained by increased demand for qualified leadership in the defense sector and higher requirements for education and experience. Increased investments in Sweden’s defense have also contributed to strengthening the salary levels for senior positions such as Army Chief.

Army Chief salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 51 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 36,300 SEK/month (woman, private employee, 3-year high school education)
  • Highest salary: 53,900 SEK/month (woman, private employee, doctoral education)
  • Hourly wage: 309 SEK (calculated on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender difference: Men 52 000 SEK, women 45 300 SEK (women earn 87% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Data not available for specific regions

Education and qualifications

Becoming an Army Chief requires a long and thorough education within the Swedish Armed Forces, often starting with officer training and followed by several years of experience in leadership positions. Formal degrees are combined with continuous skill development and specialized military courses. Besides academic background, high demands are placed on leadership ability, analytical skills, and strategic thinking.

  • Officer training: Basic officer program, approximately 3 years
  • Further education: Higher officer courses, e.g., at the Swedish Defence University
  • Experience: Several years of service in leading military roles
  • Prerequisites: Complete high school education and approved tests
  • Special courses: Leadership, strategy, and international missions

Many Army Chiefs have experience from international missions, which provides valuable perspectives on cooperation and crisis management. Such experience is often advantageous for those aiming to advance to the highest leadership positions within the defense sector.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Army Chiefs are often offered benefits such as company housing, extra vacation days, wellness allowances, and opportunities for professional development. Access to state pension solutions and various insurances are usually included, along with compensation during deployments and special missions.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as Army Chief is fierce, as the number of available roles is limited and the requirements for experience and education are very high. Challenges include not only strategic leadership but also managing complex organizations, rapid changes in the environment, and high demands for results. The ability to act under pressure and make decisive decisions in uncertain situations is crucial for success. Additionally, motivating and developing staff and managing cooperation both nationally and internationally are essential skills.

Tips for aspiring Army Chiefs

To succeed as an Army Chief, it is beneficial to combine analytical skills with clear and inspiring leadership. Gaining experience from various military roles early on and taking responsibility in both Swedish and international missions provides a solid foundation. Communication skills are vital, as is the ability to collaborate and handle conflicts constructively. Good organizational skills and the ability to see the big picture aid in strategic decision-making. Engagement and perseverance are important traits, as is a willingness to continuously develop and learn to meet changing demands and higher standards within the defense sector.

Key facts about Army Chiefs

  • Average salary: 51 300 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 36,300–53,900 SEK/month
  • Gender difference: Women earn 87% of men's salaries
  • Education level: Officer training + several years of experience
  • Number of available jobs: 39 (source: statsskuld.se/Arbetsförmedlingen)

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years as an Army Chief, there are opportunities to advance to even higher strategic roles within the Swedish Armed Forces, such as general, staff chief, or defense attaché at Swedish embassies. The future outlook for qualified officers and leaders remains stable, with an increasing need for top-level leadership as the defense sector expands. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, competition for these roles remains high, but demand for experienced and educated leaders in the defense sector is expected to remain strong in the coming years.

Frequently asked questions about Army Chiefs

  • What does an Army Chief earn?
    - The average salary is 51 300 SEK per month, but it can vary between 36,300 and 53,900 SEK depending on experience, education, and employer.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, men earn an average of 52 000 SEK and women 45 300 SEK, which means women earn 87% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become an Army Chief?
    - Basic officer training followed by further education and several years of military leadership experience are required.
  • What does the job market look like for Army Chiefs?
    - Currently, there are 39 available jobs within the profession, but competition for these positions is high.
  • What are the common benefits for an Army Chief?
    - Common benefits include company housing, extra vacation days, wellness allowances, and state pension solutions.
  • How has the salary developed over recent years?
    - The average salary has increased from 47,500 SEK in 2022 to 51 300 SEK in 2024, which corresponds to an increase of about 8%.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Army Chief is 53900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Privately employed workers with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 53700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Army Chief is 36300 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 41200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 39400 kr 41800 kr
35-44 48400 kr 50300 kr
45-54 55100 kr 57000 kr
55-64 56000 kr 57600 kr
Snitt 87% 49400 kr 51300 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 Army Chief has the SSYK code 110, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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