How much does a Chief of Civil Defense make

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  2. Chief of Civil Defense
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Chief of Civil Defense

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 Chief of Civil Defense

Average salary 115 200 kr
Males 115 800 kr
Females 114 700 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 3 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Civil Defence Chief do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Civil Defence Chief is responsible for leading and coordinating the municipality’s or region’s civil defense activities. Tasks include developing strategies for preparedness, crisis management, and protecting critical societal functions during serious events and crises. The role involves close collaboration with authorities, emergency services, healthcare, and other societal actors. The work is often strategic, involving decision-making at a high level, but also requires operational responsibility during urgent situations. The work environment is mainly office-based but can quickly change during crises, demanding availability outside regular working hours.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary for Civil Defence Chiefs has shown a clear positive trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 102,400 SEK per month, rising to 109 000 SEK in 2023 and further to 115 200 SEK in 2024. This represents an increase of approximately 12.5% over three years. This strong growth can be linked to increased societal focus on preparedness, higher demand for leadership skills within civil defense, and increased requirements for experience and education levels. Salary increases also reflect the competition for qualified managers in the public sector and the importance of attracting and retaining individuals with strategic security responsibilities.

Civil Defence Chief Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 115 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 94,800 SEK/month (men), 108,400 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 175,300 SEK/month (men), 166,900 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 693 SEK/hour
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 99% of what men do (men: 115 800 SEK, women: 114 700 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salaries may vary depending on employer and region

Education and Qualifications

To work as a Civil Defence Chief, a post-secondary education of at least three years is usually required, often in social sciences, law, or engineering. Many employers also seek experience from public sector or security-related roles. Practical leadership and crisis preparedness experience are advantageous and sometimes mandatory.

  • Formal degree: Post-secondary education (3 years or more), often in social sciences, law, or engineering
  • Certifications: Courses in crisis management, total defense, and leadership
  • Previous experience: Leadership roles within the public sector or emergency services
  • Internship/Trainee: Meritorious but not always mandatory
  • Prerequisites: High school diploma, often supplemented with higher education

Civil Defence Chiefs often play a key role during major societal crises and may need to make critical decisions quickly that affect thousands of people. The role requires both analytical ability and the capacity to handle pressurized situations – and entails significant societal responsibility.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Common benefits for Civil Defence Chiefs include occupational pension, wellness allowances, leave benefits, and sometimes car allowances or extra vacation weeks. Flexitime and access to professional development are also common, especially in the public sector.

Competition and Challenges

The competition for positions as Civil Defence Chief is relatively high, as the number of qualified candidates is limited. The requirements for education, experience, and leadership are extensive, leading many employers to seek individuals with documented crisis management and strategic work experience. Challenges in the profession often involve balancing long-term development with urgent actions, as well as coordinating among various societal actors. Changing threat landscapes and increased preparedness requirements make the role complex and constantly evolving.

Tips for Aspiring Civil Defence Chiefs

To succeed as a Civil Defence Chief, it is beneficial to combine analytical skills with a structured working style and strong leadership. Gaining experience in crisis management and public administration provides an advantage, as does ongoing education in security and preparedness. Being communicative and able to collaborate with diverse actors is crucial, as is integrity and a strong societal engagement, which often distinguish the most successful. It is also important to have the courage to make difficult decisions under pressure and to prioritize correctly even in uncertain situations. Networking within the industry and attending relevant conferences can open new opportunities. Finally, the ability to inspire and motivate others, especially during demanding crises, is highly valued.

Key Facts About Civil Defence Chiefs

  • Education level: Post-secondary education, at least 3 years
  • Work environment: Office-based, but often involved in crisis response
  • Typical employment type: Permanent position in the public sector
  • Demand: 175 current job openings in Sweden according to latest matching data
  • Special skills: Crisis management, leadership, and collaboration

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After 3–5 years as a Civil Defence Chief, career progression can lead to higher managerial roles, such as Security Director, Operations Manager in crisis preparedness, or strategic roles within national agencies. Opportunities also exist to work as a consultant in preparedness and security or to move into international organizations focused on civil crisis management. The future outlook is considered favorable, driven by increased focus on societal protection and heightened preparedness. According to the Employment Service and occupational statistics, there is a steady demand for this expertise in both municipal and government sectors.

Common Questions About Civil Defence Chiefs

  • What does a Civil Defence Chief earn?
    - The average salary is 115 200 SEK per month, but it can vary between 94,800 SEK and 175,300 SEK depending on experience and employer.
  • How does one become a Civil Defence Chief?
    - A post-secondary education, often in social sciences or crisis management, and experience in leadership and the public sector are required.
  • Are there gender pay differences?
    - Yes, women earn on average 99% of what men do in this profession.
  • What are the responsibilities of a Civil Defence Chief?
    - Responsibilities include leading preparedness efforts, developing crisis plans, and coordinating with other authorities.
  • What is the demand like on the job market?
    - There is a stable need for Civil Defence Chiefs, with 175 current job openings according to recent statistics.
  • What is the most common educational background?
    - Post-secondary education of at least three years in social sciences, law, or engineering is most common.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 16:55:51

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Chief of Civil Defense 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 Chief of Civil Defense 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 Chief of Civil Defense has the SSYK code 1112, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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