How much does a Commander make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Commander
Image that illustrates Commander

Commander

50 500 kr

Ship officers etc.

44 900 - 55 300 kr / month

Transport

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Commander

Average salary 50 500 kr
Males 50 500 kr
Females 0 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 3 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Fartygschef do? – Tasks and work environment

A Fartygschef has overall responsibility for a ship's operation, safety, and crew. The role includes managing daily onboard work, overseeing safety procedures, and being responsible for technical maintenance and navigation. The Fartygschef ensures that the ship and crew comply with applicable laws, regulations, and safety standards. The work environment can be demanding, with long shifts, sea duty under varying weather conditions, and periods of both intense activity and waiting. Collaboration, leadership, and the ability to make quick decisions are essential qualities in the profession.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for a Fartygschef has shown steady growth. In 2022, the average salary was 47,600 kronor per month. It increased to 48 600 kronor in 2023 and reached 50 500 kronor in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 6.1 % over the period, which is slightly higher than the average for many other transport professions. Factors driving this development include continued demand for experienced ship officers, increased requirements for specialized knowledge, and a shortage of qualified candidates. At the same time, market conditions and changing trade patterns influence the demand for shipping services and, consequently, the salary levels for Fartygschefer.

Fartygschef salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 50 500 kr/month
  • Lowest salary: 44,900 kr/month (male, private sector worker, pre-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 55,300 kr/month (male, private sector worker, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Highest salary for a woman: 54,900 kr/month
  • Lowest salary for a woman: 48,700 kr/month
  • Average hourly wage: 304 kr/hour
  • Gender differences: Salary data exists for men, but limited information for women. Differences may occur.
  • Regional differences: Specific data is lacking, but salary levels may vary depending on employer and shipping company.

Education and qualifications

To work as a Fartygschef, a university-level maritime education, supplemented with work experience and specific certifications, is usually required. The educational pathway is clearly regulated and includes both theoretical studies and practical sea service. In addition to formal education, strong leadership skills, technical knowledge, and the ability to handle complex situations are necessary.

  • Maritime education: Bachelor's degree (3 years) in maritime studies, nautical competence, or equivalent
  • Certifications: Fartygsbefäl class VII–I, depending on vessel type and size
  • Practical training: Mandatory sea service during education
  • Prerequisites: Complete upper secondary education, often with a technical or nautical focus
  • Further training: Courses in leadership, safety, and specialized areas such as ISM and ISPS

Many Fartygschefer develop a strong sense of teamwork and social cohesion, as life onboard often involves working, living, and socializing closely together for extended periods. This camaraderie can be one of the profession’s great rewards – and challenges.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In addition to base salary, employment as a Fartygschef often includes allowances for unsocial hours, per diems for longer trips, onboard meals and accommodation, and various insurances and pension contributions. Some employers also offer wellness allowances, training opportunities, and extra leave between work periods.

Competition and challenges

The job market for Fartygschefer is influenced by the maritime and transport industry’s economic cycle and international trade flows. Despite 412 available positions in the profession, competition for the most attractive roles is often fierce. Challenges such as extended periods away from home, responsibility for safety and crew, and the requirement for continuous training place high demands on applicants. Additionally, technological development and digitalization in shipping require Fartygschefer to continually update their knowledge.

Tips for aspiring Fartygschef

To succeed as a Fartygschef, it is beneficial to combine analytical skills with strong leadership. Being organized helps with planning and responsibilities onboard, while good communication skills are crucial for creating confidence and clarity among the crew. Demonstrating engagement with safety and following regulations is a given, but flexibility and the ability to handle unexpected situations at sea are also important. Gaining experience through internships, summer jobs, or trainee positions provides valuable insight into the industry’s daily life. Finally, patience and perseverance are key, as the path to a managerial role often requires several years of work and further training.

Key facts about Fartygschef

  • Education level: Bachelor's degree (3 years) + certifications
  • Typical work arrangement: Onboard service with shift work
  • Occupational group: Ship officers, etc.
  • Number of available jobs (2024): 412 within the profession
  • Work environment: Varies, often at sea and under changing conditions

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years in the profession, there are opportunities to advance to larger ships, take responsibility for more complex operations, or work in shipping management and training. Some Fartygschefer choose to specialize in safety, environmental issues, or technical maintenance, while others move on to international positions within the maritime industry. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, no precise forecast exists for the profession due to limited data, but demand across the entire group of ship officers is considered stable. Technological advancements and increased safety requirements open new roles, but competition for the most attractive positions can be high.

Common questions about Fartygschef

  • What does a Fartygschef earn?
    - A Fartygschef has an average salary of 50 500 kronor per month, with variations depending on experience and education.
  • How does one become a Fartygschef?
    - The path involves maritime education at university, certifications, and several years of work experience onboard.
  • What is the work environment like for a Fartygschef?
    - The work primarily takes place onboard ships, often in shifts, with responsibility for both operations and crew.
  • What certifications are required?
    - Certificates such as Fartygsbefäl class VII–I are required depending on the vessel type and size.
  • Are there many job openings for a Fartygschef?
    - In 2024, there were 412 job openings within the profession.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Salary data shows some differences, but data for women is limited.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Leadership, stress resilience, communication skills, and technical interest are central qualities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 18:07:39

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Commander is 55300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 54900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Commander is 44900 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 48700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
35-44 47100 kr 51800 kr
45-54 49000 kr 54200 kr
55-64 45500 kr 48800 kr
Snitt 46400 kr 50500 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 Commander has the SSYK code 3152, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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