Fire Chief salary

Occupation Fire Chief: What does it entail?

As a fire chief, you play a crucial role within the fire department. Your main tasks include leading and coordinating operations during accidents, fires, and other emergencies. You are also responsible for the safety and training of personnel, as well as ensuring that equipment and vehicles are in good condition. This profession requires both leadership skills and technical competence.

Salary and Gender Pay Gap

The average salary for a fire chief in Sweden is 36 200 SEK per month. However, there is a certain difference between men and women in the profession. On average, men earn 36 400 SEK, while women earn 34 400 SEK. This means that women earn approximately 94% of what men do in the same occupation. This is an improvement from previous years, but still a notable difference.

Change in Average Salary

The average salary for fire chiefs has increased from 34 900 SEK to 36 200 SEK since the last measurement. This salary increase can be seen as a positive development and a sign that the profession's value and responsibility are being more recognized.

Education and Qualifications

To become a fire chief, one must first work as a firefighter and have several years of experience in the field. The training to become a firefighter can be done through municipal adult education or through vocational colleges. After working for a few years as a firefighter, one can further educate themselves through internal courses and training organized by the fire department. Many employers offer paid training to acquire the specific qualifications required to become a fire chief.

What to Consider?

Working as a fire chief entails significant responsibility and requires good leadership skills, stress tolerance, and physical fitness. It is also important to be a good communicator and to be able to collaborate effectively with both colleagues and other authorities. For those considering becoming a fire chief, it is wise to gain early experience in the fire department and be prepared to constantly develop one's knowledge and skills.

Job Market and Future Outlook

There is limited specific data available for fire chiefs, but according to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts for the firefighter occupational group, which includes fire chiefs, no assessment is provided due to the limited data. However, generally speaking, the need for emergency service personnel is stable, and there is always a demand for qualified leaders in the field.