How much does a Civil officiant make

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Civil officiant

35 000 kr

Funeral and crematory staff

34 600 - 36 400 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Civil officiant

Average salary 35 000 kr
Males 35 600 kr
Females 34 600 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 7 Vacant jobs ->

What does a civil officiant do? – Tasks and work environment

A civil officiant is responsible for leading and conducting civil ceremonies, primarily funerals and memorial services without religious elements. Tasks include planning the content of the ceremony in consultation with relatives, composing speeches, selecting music, and coordinating other aspects during the ceremony. The officiant acts as a reassuring guide in an emotionally charged situation and needs to show great respect, attentiveness, and the ability to create a dignified atmosphere. The work is often carried out in collaboration with funeral homes, at cemeteries, crematoria, or other suitable venues, and involves both administrative preparation and presence at the actual ceremony.

Salary development over time

The salary development for civil officiants has been positive in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,500 SEK per month. In 2023, it increased to 33 800 SEK, and for 2024 the average is 35 000 SEK per month. The growth represents an increase of just over 11% over three years, which can be explained by an increased demand for qualified ceremony leaders and a general salary adjustment within the profession. The demand for civil ceremonies has grown in line with a more secular society, which has also positively affected salary levels. At the same time, differences in education level and employment type can influence salary levels, especially between private and public sectors.

Civil officiant salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 35 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,600 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 36,400 SEK/month
  • Hourly rate (average): 210 SEK
  • Women: 34,600 SEK (97% of men's salary)
  • Men: 35,600 SEK
  • Regional differences: Data is lacking, but local variations occur depending on demand and employers

Education and qualifications

To work as a civil officiant, no specific university degree is required, but a background in social work, administration, or similar fields is common. Many employers value experience in public speaking, good communication skills, and understanding of ethics and interpersonal relations. Internal training and courses are often organized by funeral homes or municipal actors, and sometimes practical training or an introductory period is necessary before working independently.

  • High school education: 3 years (e.g., social sciences or healthcare and care)
  • Courses/certifications: Internal training provided by employers or industry organizations
  • Practical training: Commonly involves introduction or shadowing experienced officiants
  • Prerequisites: Good Swedish language skills, social competence
  • Tips: Experience working with people and administration is advantageous

A civil officiant often needs to quickly adapt the ceremony to the family's wishes and unexpected changes – flexibility and attentiveness are therefore crucial to creating a memorable and personal ceremony.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Among the most common benefits for civil officiants are flexible working hours, travel allowances between different ceremony locations, and opportunities for further training or internal skill development. Some employers also offer wellness allowances, extra vacation days, and occupational pension depending on employment type and sector.

Competition and challenges

Competition within the profession of civil officiant varies depending on region and employer. Since the profession is part of a broader occupational group with limited statistics, it is difficult to provide an exact forecast, but there are a total of 237 available positions within the field. Challenges mainly involve managing emotionally demanding situations, continuously adapting to different families' needs, and maintaining a professional and empathetic approach. The work can also be irregular, with assignments in the evenings and on weekends, requiring flexibility and availability. Maintaining high quality in each ceremony despite time pressures and sometimes limited resources is another aspect that demands experience and commitment.

Tips for those who want to become a civil officiant

To succeed as a civil officiant, it is good to be attentive and capable of quickly building trust with people in vulnerable situations. It is important to be precise and organized, as each ceremony requires planning and adaptation to individual wishes. Confidence in oral presentation and the ability to speak in front of groups are essential, as are empathy and respect for different worldviews. Flexibility is needed since tasks often vary and can involve quick changes in schedule. Patience and stress tolerance help in unexpected situations, and a professional demeanor in all contacts is crucial to creating a safe atmosphere during the ceremony.

Key facts about Civil Officiant

  • Education level: High school education (3 years) is common
  • Work environment: Ceremony venues, cemeteries, and sometimes office settings
  • Typical employment: Employed via funeral homes or municipalities, sometimes hourly contracts
  • Demand: 237 job openings registered in 2024
  • Gender distribution: Women earn 97% of what men do

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a civil officiant can advance to more specialized roles, such as training coordinator, coordinator for larger ceremonies, or take on a supervisory role as a master of ceremonies at larger funeral homes. Further education in areas like counseling, supervision, or administrative leadership is also possible. The latest forecast from the Employment Service indicates that it is difficult to give an exact assessment of future job opportunities due to limited statistical data, but the increasing demand for civil ceremonies suggests relatively good prospects for those who are flexible and willing to take on various assignments.

Frequently asked questions about Civil Officiant

  • What does a civil officiant earn?
    - The average salary is 35 000 SEK per month, with an hourly rate of 210 SEK.
  • Is education required to become a civil officiant?
    - High school education and internal training are most common, but formal requirements may vary.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn 97% of what men do within the profession.
  • What is the work environment like?
    - Work takes place in ceremony venues and often involves travel between different locations, sometimes with irregular hours.
  • What personal qualities are needed?
    - Attentiveness, empathy, flexibility, and good communication skills are important for the profession.
  • How many job openings are there?
    - There are 237 registered job openings in 2024.
  • What is the highest salary for a civil officiant?
    - The highest salary is 36,400 SEK per month and belongs to a woman employed as a private sector civil servant with high school education.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-09 21:34:41

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Civil officiant is 36400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Privately employed officials with a high school education, 3 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 35600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Civil officiant is 34600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 35600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
35-44 36200 kr 36900 kr
45-54 33600 kr 34400 kr
55-64 35400 kr 36400 kr
Snitt 97% 34100 kr 35000 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 Civil officiant has the SSYK code 5161, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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