Salary progression Department Secretary

Average salary 47 900 kr
Males 50 500 kr
Females 46 600 kr

What does a Departementssekreterare do? – Tasks and work environment

A Departementssekreterare works centrally within the Government Offices or other government agencies and plays a key role in shaping Swedish policy and legislation. Tasks often include investigation work, case preparation, providing basis for decisions, and writing official statements and consultation responses. Contacts with other agencies, interest organizations, and politically appointed officials are frequent, requiring strong communication and analytical skills. The work is primarily office-based, characterized by a fast pace, varied tasks, and high responsibility for socially important issues.

Salary development over time

The salary for Departementssekreterare has shown a steady upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,200 SEK per month, increasing to 46 500 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has continued to rise and now amounts to 47 900 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 7.6% over the three-year period. This salary development reflects ongoing demand for qualified social scientists and lawyers within the Government Offices, as well as increased requirements for specialist knowledge. The salary increase has been somewhat larger than the average wage growth in the public sector, which can be explained by competition for skills and a greater need for experienced investigators. Gender differences persist, with women still earning around 92% of men's salaries in the profession.

Departementssekreterare salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 47 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 30,200 SEK/month (female, public sector, lower education)
  • Highest salary: 60,200 SEK/month (male, municipal sector, research degree)
  • Hourly wage: 280 SEK/hour (average, hourly employed)
  • Gender differences: Men 50 500 SEK, women 46 600 SEK (women earn 92% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Limited, but higher salaries in metropolitan areas

Education and qualifications

To work as a Departementssekreterare, a university degree at least at bachelor level is generally required, often in social sciences, law, or economics. Many employers prefer candidates with a master's or postgraduate degree and experience in qualified investigation work. Internships within agencies or trainee programs can be advantageous, and good knowledge of both Swedish and English is often necessary.

  • Formal degree: Bachelor or master’s degree (3–5 years), often in law, political science, or economics
  • Certifications/courses: Courses in public administration, EU law, or policy analysis can be advantageous
  • Internship/trainee: Internship within a agency, department, or trainee program at the Government Offices
  • Prerequisites: Excellent communication skills and analytical thinking
  • Tips for choosing: Pursue exchanges or internships to build networks within the public sector

A Departementssekreterare often has the opportunity to influence important societal issues in direct cooperation with political decision-makers. The role also involves quickly understanding new issues and working under time pressure, which develops problem-solving skills and high-level flexibility.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Departementssekreterare within the public sector often have access to benefits such as pension schemes, wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and remote work options. Additional compensations may include subsidized lunches, professional development, and longer vacations than average. In some cases, extra insurances and support for further education are also offered.

Competition and challenges

Competition for positions as Departementssekreterare is relatively high, especially at larger departments where tasks are more specialized and attractive. Since many applicants have similar educational backgrounds, relevant work experience or specialist competence are often required to stand out. Challenges include managing large information flows, working with complex issues under tight deadlines, and adapting to political changes. Changes in government priorities and periods of reorganization can also impact workload and work environment.

Tips for aspiring Departementssekreterare

To succeed as a Departementssekreterare, it is good to combine analytical skills with a structured approach and good collaboration abilities. Building a broad understanding of Swedish administration and staying updated on societal issues is important. Strong personal drive and the ability to quickly familiarize oneself with new subject areas are crucial for handling the variation and pace of the role. Networking within the public sector and seeking internships early in education increase chances of obtaining an attractive position. Precision and integrity are valuable qualities, especially when handling sensitive information. Finally, good communication skills provide great opportunities to influence both internally and externally, which is central to the role.

Key facts about Departementssekreterare

  • Education level: University degree, often master's in law or social sciences
  • Work environment: Office-based, often within the Government Offices or larger agencies
  • Work form: Full-time, sometimes with remote work options
  • Demand: Moderate, 758 job openings in the profession
  • Special skills: Policy analysis, law, public administration

Career paths and future outlook

After 3–5 years as a Departementssekreterare, opportunities open to advance to roles such as kansliråd, subject expert, or investigation manager, often with increased responsibility for project management and strategic analysis. Some choose to specialize in a particular policy area or further educate themselves to take on leadership roles within departments or agencies. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the job market for planners and investigators—including Departementssekreterare—is balanced, with medium-sized opportunities and unchanged demand over five years. Overall, the profession is expected to offer stable prospects, especially for individuals with specialized skills or experience in public administration.

Common questions about Departementssekreterare

  • What does a Departementssekreterare earn?
    - The average salary is 47 900 SEK/month, with variation depending on education, experience, and employer.
  • What education is required to become a Departementssekreterare?
    - A university degree in law, social sciences, or economics is required, often at master's or postgraduate level.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn on average 92% of what men do within the profession.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - Demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, with a balance between supply and demand.
  • What are the most common career paths?
    - Common paths include kansliråd, subject expert, or investigation manager within the public sector.
  • How wide is the salary range?
    - The lowest salary is 30,200 SEK/month and the highest is 60,200 SEK/month, depending on education, sector, and experience.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Pension schemes, wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and remote work options are common benefits.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Department Secretary is 62400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 59800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Department Secretary is 30400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 31900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 98% 31500 kr 32600 kr
25-34 94% 41200 kr 41700 kr
35-44 93% 46200 kr 46700 kr
45-54 93% 49700 kr 50100 kr
55-64 90% 50900 kr 51300 kr
65-68 93% 51400 kr 51800 kr
Snitt 92% 47500 kr 47900 kr
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 Department Secretary has the SSYK code 2422, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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