Image that illustrates Field assistant

Field assistant

40 300 kr

Social workers

34 800 - 54 300 kr / month

Women earn 102% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Field assistant

Average salary 40 300 kr
Males 39 500 kr
Females 40 400 kr

What does a field assistant do? – Tasks and work environment

A field assistant primarily supports children, adolescents, and sometimes adults in socially vulnerable situations. The work often involves outreach activities, preventive efforts, and building relationships with individuals in need of support. Field assistants collaborate closely with social services, schools, and sometimes the police to create safe environments and prevent social problems. The work takes place both outdoors and indoors, often during evenings and weekends, with significant variation depending on the target group’s needs. The work environment can be challenging but offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference in society.

Salary development over time

The salary for field assistants has steadily increased over recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 37,500 SEK per month, which increased to 38 800 SEK in 2023. The latest data from 2024 shows a further rise to 40 300 SEK, representing approximately a 7.5% increase over two years. This positive trend is linked to an increased focus on preventive social work, with growing demand for competent field assistants. The salary increase also reflects a general effort within the public sector to attract and retain staff in social work. The gender gap has narrowed, and women now earn slightly more than men in the profession.

Field assistant salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 40 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,800 SEK/month (male, public sector, upper secondary education up to 2 years)
  • Highest salary: 54,300 SEK/month (female, public sector, data unavailable)
  • Hourly wage: 242 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 102 % of what men do (women: 40 400 SEK, men: 39 500 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Differences exist but detailed statistics are lacking

Education and qualifications

Field assistants typically have post-secondary education in social work, often as a social worker or with similar training. Practical experience working with youth or in socially vulnerable environments is often an advantage. Sometimes, specialized courses or professional development are required depending on the employer and target group.

  • Social worker degree: 3.5 years, the most common educational path
  • YH-educations: Focused on social work or youth work, 2 years
  • Relevant internships: Internships within social services or community organizations are beneficial
  • Courses in conversation techniques and conflict management: Often in demand
  • Prerequisites: Upper secondary diploma, often with a social science focus

Field assistants often work in teams and collaborate with many different actors in society, making the profession both social and developmental. Flexibility and initiative are important qualities since no two days are the same.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Field assistants are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowances, and subsidized healthcare. Other common compensations include evening and weekend work supplements and opportunities for professional development and further training within the profession.

Competition and challenges

The job market for field assistants is characterized by balance, where the number of qualified workers matches demand. Moderate employment opportunities exist nationwide, and demand is expected to increase over the next five years. The profession involves challenges such as managing complex social situations, building trust with youth, and working irregular hours. Stress, threatening situations, and the need for continuous professional development can impact the work environment. At the same time, the profession offers significant personal growth for those who enjoy varied and social work.

Tips for those who want to become a field assistant

To succeed as a field assistant, it is beneficial to combine engagement and responsiveness with a structured work approach. Developing good communication skills helps in meetings with youth and partners, while patience and the ability to handle stressful situations are crucial in daily work. Practical experience, such as through volunteering or internships, provides valuable insight into the profession’s challenges. Showing initiative and being solution-oriented facilitates cooperation with other professionals. The ability to build trust and create safe relationships is one of the most important qualities to make a difference as a field assistant.

Key facts about Field Assistant

  • Education level: Post-secondary (social worker or YH-education)
  • Work environment: Outreach and varied, often outdoors and in the evenings
  • Work form: Often teamwork and collaboration with other authorities
  • Demand: Moderate, increasing over five years
  • Common sector: Public sector, especially municipal social services

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a field assistant, there are opportunities to advance within social work, such as becoming a social worker, coordinator, or supervisor in youth services. Many choose to specialize in areas like substance abuse, school attendance, or crime prevention. According to forecasts from the Employment Service, demand for the profession is expected to grow, and job opportunities are moderate nationwide. Currently, there are 237 job openings for social workers, including those with a background as a field assistant, indicating good future prospects for those entering the profession.

Frequently asked questions about Field Assistant

  • What does a Field Assistant earn?
    - The average salary for a field assistant is 40 300 SEK per month.
  • What are the salary differences between men and women?
    - Women earn 40 400 SEK while men earn 39 500 SEK, meaning women earn 102 % of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a field assistant?
    - Most commonly, a social worker degree or equivalent YH-education in social work.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Some regional differences exist, but detailed statistics are lacking.
  • What is the job market like for field assistants?
    - Opportunities are moderate, and demand is expected to increase in the coming years.
  • What are the job responsibilities of a field assistant?
    - The duties involve outreach and preventive work with children, adolescents, and young adults.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a field assistant?
    - The highest salary is 54,300 SEK (female, public sector), the lowest is 34,800 SEK (male, public sector).

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Field assistant is 54300 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a data missing. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 51400 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Field assistant is 34800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 37300 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 33800 kr 34100 kr
25-34 102% 37500 kr 37700 kr
35-44 103% 40600 kr 40900 kr
45-54 105% 42100 kr 42500 kr
55-64 102% 42900 kr 43300 kr
65-68 102% 43300 kr 44000 kr
Snitt 102% 40000 kr 40300 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 Field assistant has the SSYK code 2661, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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