How much does a Head of Mission make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Head of Mission
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Head of Mission

115 200 kr

General, county and municipal directors etc.

94 800 - 175 300 kr / month

Women earn 99% of what men do.

Chefer & ledare

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Head of Mission

Average salary 115 200 kr
Males 115 800 kr
Females 114 700 kr
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What does an ambassadorial head do? – Tasks and work environment

An ambassadorial head is responsible for leading and coordinating the activities at a Swedish embassy or consulate general. The tasks include strategic management, personnel responsibility, budget work, and ensuring compliance with Swedish and international regulations. An ambassadorial head acts as the highest representative of Sweden on site and often maintains close contact with Swedish authorities and foreign actors. The work requires diplomatic skill, the ability to handle complex situations, and a high level of integrity. The work environment is often international and characterized by a fast pace, travel, and many external contacts.

Salary development over time

The salary for an ambassadorial head has increased significantly over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 102,400 SEK per month. The following year, 2023, it rose to 109 000 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 6.4%. In 2024, the average salary has continued to rise to 115 200 SEK, corresponding to an increase of another 5.7% compared to the previous year. This salary development reflects increased responsibilities, higher skill requirements, and the growing demand for qualified leaders in diplomacy. Salary increases can also be linked to changing global conditions and a greater need for experienced managers in foreign service. Despite the high starting salary, the profession continues to attract top candidates, contributing to steady salary growth.

Ambassadorial head salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 115 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (men): 94,800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (women): 108,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary (men): 175,300 SEK/month
  • Highest salary (women): 166,900 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 693 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 99% of what men do
  • Regional differences: Salary levels are mainly influenced by employer sector and location abroad

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming an ambassadorial head is long and demands high qualifications and experience. Usually, a university degree is required, often in political science, law, or economics, along with several years of experience in foreign service or leadership roles in the public sector. In addition to formal qualifications, good language skills and international experience are highly valued.

  • Academic degree: Political science, law, or economics (at least 3–5 years)
  • Leadership experience: Several years of managerial roles within the public sector or foreign service
  • Language skills: Very good English and often additional languages
  • International experience: Experience working abroad or within international organizations is meritorious
  • Certifications: Leadership training and diplomatic programs

Many ambassadorial heads have the opportunity to work in several continents during their careers, providing a unique insight into international relations and cultures. This makes the profession particularly attractive for those seeking variety and challenges outside Sweden’s borders. However, foreign service often requires great adaptability and flexibility, both professionally and privately.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and allowances

An ambassadorial head often has access to a comprehensive benefits package, including foreign allowances, housing benefits, health insurance, and sometimes child school allowances abroad. Travel, further training, and representation are common parts of the job, offering opportunities for both personal and professional development.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as an ambassadorial head is very fierce, as it is one of the most prestigious roles within foreign service. The number of available positions is limited, and the selection process is rigorous, with high demands on both formal competence and personal qualities. Challenges often include handling complex diplomatic issues, high security awareness, and working under pressure. The role also requires making decisive decisions under uncertainty and being prepared for rapid changes in the work environment.

Tips for those who want to become an ambassadorial head

To succeed as an ambassadorial head, it is good to combine analytical skills with strong leadership and a genuine interest in international affairs. Good communication skills facilitate relations with colleagues and foreign actors, while high integrity and sound judgment are crucial for sensitive decisions. Being flexible and adaptable helps with placements in different countries and cultures, while patience and perseverance are important for managing long recruitment processes and complex tasks. Active networking, both within and outside the foreign service, can open doors to future leadership roles. Finally, continuously developing language skills and staying updated on international issues is valuable.

Key facts about ambassadorial heads

  • Education level: Academic degree (at least 3–5 years)
  • Work environment: International and often abroad
  • Typical employment: Full-time, permanent position
  • Demand: 175 job openings in the profession over the past year
  • Special skills: Diplomacy, leadership, language skills

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years of experience as an ambassadorial head, career options include higher positions within the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, such as ambassador, consul general, or head of larger international delegations. There are also opportunities to transition to senior roles within international organizations like the UN or the EU, or to work as advisors in security and foreign policy. The forecast from the Swedish Public Employment Service indicates that the demand for qualified leaders in public administration and international relations is expected to remain stable, although competition for the most attractive positions remains high.

Frequently asked questions about ambassadorial heads

  • What does an ambassadorial head earn per month?
    - The average salary for an ambassadorial head is 115 200 SEK per month.
  • What is the highest salary for an ambassadorial head?
    - The highest salary is 175,300 SEK per month and belongs to a man in the municipal sector with postgraduate education.
  • Are there salary differences between women and men?
    - Yes, women earn on average 99% of what men do within the profession.
  • What education is required to become an ambassadorial head?
    - An academic degree, often in political science, law, or economics, along with experience in leadership and foreign service.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - Demand remains stable with 175 job openings in the profession over the past year.
  • What are the most common benefits?
    - Foreign allowance, housing benefit, health insurance, and sometimes child school allowance abroad.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Analytical ability, leadership, flexibility, good communication, and high integrity.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-09 06:46:47

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Head of Mission is 175300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 166900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Head of Mission is 94800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 108400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
45-54 99% 107900 kr 109000 kr
55-64 100% 116900 kr 118300 kr
Snitt 99% 113800 kr 115200 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 Head of Mission has the SSYK code 1112, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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