How much does a Bishop make

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Bishop

67 600 kr

Managers and leaders in religious communities

65 600 - 69 100 kr / month

Women earn 95% of what men do.

Chefer & ledare

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Bishop

Average salary 67 600 kr
Males 69 100 kr
Females 65 600 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 1 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Bishop do? – Responsibilities and Work Environment

A Bishop holds the highest spiritual leadership within a diocese in the Church of Sweden or equivalent faith community. The role involves overall responsibility for theological guidance, supervision of priests and deacons, and representing the church in official contexts. The Bishop leads the diocesan board, makes decisions on personnel matters, and handles important ethical and societal issues affecting the church's role. The work environment is varied, including office work, meetings, travel, and participation in religious services and ceremonies. The role demands strong leadership, integrity, and the ability to handle complex issues through dialogue with both church members and society at large.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary for a Bishop has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 63,100 SEK per month. In 2023, the average increased to 66 700 SEK, representing approximately 5.7% growth. In 2024, the average salary further rose to 67 600 SEK, a modest increase of 1.3%. This trend reflects continued high demand for experienced leaders within faith communities and a general rise in executive salaries in the public and non-profit sectors. The relative salary equality over time indicates stable compensation levels, with some variation depending on experience, responsibility, and regional factors.

Bishop Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 67 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 65,600 SEK/month (female, various sectors)
  • Highest salary: 69,100 SEK/month (male, private sector)
  • Hourly wage (average): 407 SEK
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 95% of what men do (65,600 SEK vs. 69,100 SEK)
  • Regional differences: May occur depending on diocese and organization

Education and Qualifications

Becoming a Bishop requires a long and comprehensive education in theology, along with extensive experience in church work and leadership. First, a bachelor's degree in theology is needed, followed by ordination and several years of service as a priest. Additional training in leadership and experience in higher church positions are also valued. Selection is often through nomination and election processes, where both theological competence and personal qualities are important.

  • Theology bachelor's degree: 3–4 years of university studies
  • Ordination: Requires practical training and supervision
  • Leadership training: Courses and continuing education in organization and leadership
  • Several years of experience: Service as a priest, preferably as a parish priest
  • Nomination process: Selection through diocesan elections

Bishops often play a central role in societal debates and represent the church at important national and international events. The public role requires them to be both theological authorities and skilled societal debaters.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

In addition to the base salary, benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, extra vacation days, and sometimes a company car are often included. Work-related travel, further education opportunities, and administrative support are also common. Bishops generally have access to tools and support systems that facilitate leadership and daily tasks.

Competition and Challenges

Competition for bishop positions is intense, as the number of available roles is very limited, and selection involves extensive nomination processes. The challenges include balancing church traditions with societal changes. The public nature of the role and the need to make difficult ethical and organizational decisions require resilience and good judgment. Managing complex personnel issues and representing the church in media and public contacts are also crucial. Maintaining trust among church members and the general public is essential for success.

Tips for Aspiring Bishops

To succeed as a Bishop, it’s beneficial to combine theological expertise with a strong commitment to people's well-being. Developing leadership skills and gaining experience through various church roles provides a solid foundation for future responsibilities. Communication skills are vital, as the role often involves public speaking and representing the church. Good judgment and high integrity are important when making difficult decisions. Being attentive and open to societal changes can facilitate dialogue with colleagues and the public. Building networks and continuing education enhance chances of nomination. Finally, showing dedication to the church’s development and collaboration with other faith communities and societal actors are key.

Key Facts About Bishops

  • Education level: Theology bachelor's + ordination
  • Occupational group: Leaders and managers within faith communities
  • Work environment: Varied, including offices and public events
  • Number of job openings: 175 within the profession
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 95% of men's salaries

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years as a Bishop, opportunities may open for national and international assignments within the church, such as Archbishop, member of the General Synod, or participant in ecumenical councils. The role also suits work in non-profit organizations, education, and as advisors on societal issues. According to the Employment Service, demand remains stable, though the number of positions is limited. In the coming years, some generational shifts are expected, which could create opportunities for new leaders. With 175 job openings, experienced priests have chances for advancement, though competition remains high.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bishops

  • What does a Bishop earn?
    - The average salary is 67 600 SEK per month, with the highest at 69,100 SEK and the lowest at 65,600 SEK.
  • How does one become a Bishop?
    - First, a theology bachelor's degree, ordination, several years of experience, and participation in the nomination process are required.
  • What are the job responsibilities of a Bishop?
    - Leadership over the diocese, supervision of priests, official representation, and responsibility for theological guidance.
  • Are there salary differences between women and men?
    - Yes, women earn 95% of what men do in the profession.
  • What are the future prospects for Bishops?
    - The number of positions is limited but demand remains stable, with 175 job openings in the profession.
  • What benefits are included?
    - Typically occupational pension, wellness allowance, extra vacation days, and sometimes a company car.
  • What experience is required?
    - Several years of service as a priest, preferably with experience as a parish priest or in similar leadership roles.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-08-09 04:11:08

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Bishop is 69100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 65600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Bishop is 65600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 69100 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
Snitt 95% 66400 kr 67600 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 Bishop has the SSYK code 1540, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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