- Salary statistics
- Parish deaconess
Parish deaconess
42 000 - 42 900 kr / month
Socialt arbete
Salary progression Parish deaconess
What does a parish deaconess do? – Tasks and work environment
A parish deaconess works with social and spiritual support within the Church of Sweden or other Christian communities. Tasks often include counseling, crisis management, social work, coordination of volunteer efforts, and planning and implementing activities for parish members. Contact with people in vulnerable situations is central, and work is conducted both individually and in groups. The work environment can vary between office work, home visits, and activities in church premises, requiring flexibility and the ability to meet people in different life situations.
Salary development over time
The salary for parish deaconesses has shown stable and positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 40,400 SEK per month, increasing to 41 500 SEK in 2023 and further to 42 900 SEK in 2024. This increase represents a total salary change of approximately 6.2 percent over three years. The trend reflects increased demand for the profession and a generally positive salary climate for social roles within the church. Education level and specialized skills help keep salaries competitive, while increased responsibilities within parishes positively influence salary development.
Many parish deaconesses also engage outside working hours in volunteer projects and networks, often leading to strong local relationships and opportunities to influence society deeply. The role often involves becoming an important contact person for both young and elderly members of the parish.
Parish deaconess salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 42 900 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data unavailable (the profession is mainly reported as an average)
- Hourly wage: 258 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 43 000 SEK, data on men is unavailable
- Regional differences: Data unavailable
Education and qualifications
To work as a parish deaconess, a university-level diaconate education with a theological or social focus is usually required. The education combines academic studies with practical experience and supervised internships within the parish. Prerequisites often include a high school diploma and sometimes work experience in social work or care. Many also choose to take supplementary courses in counseling techniques and leadership.
- Formal education: Diaconate education (university, 3–4 years)
- Certification: Approval from a church community (e.g., Church of Sweden)
- Practical training: Mandatory supervised internship in a parish
- Prerequisites: High school diploma, sometimes work experience
- Courses: Counseling techniques, leadership, and social work
Common benefits and compensations
Parish deaconesses are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, professional development, and flexible working hours. Some employers also provide subsidized lunches, extra vacation days, and support for further training.
Competition and challenges
The job market for parish deaconesses is characterized by good employment opportunities, but also a paradoxical recruitment situation. Despite stable demand and a nationwide total of 237 vacant positions within the profession, difficulties in recruiting qualified personnel are reported. The proportion of part-time workers and those leaving the profession is also relatively high. Challenges include high personal maturity, emotional resilience, and the ability to handle complex life situations among parish members. Changes in society’s view of the church’s role can also impact the profession’s content and status.
Tips for those who want to become a parish deaconess
To succeed as a parish deaconess, it is good to combine genuine engagement for people with strong empathy, as the work often involves meeting individuals in difficult life phases. Developing communication skills and active listening facilitates conversations and counseling. Flexibility is an important trait since tasks vary between administration, practical social work, and leadership in various projects. Good organizational skills help manage multiple initiatives and coordinate volunteers. Finally, patience and personal maturity are valuable, as the profession demands emotional resilience and the ability to make difficult decisions under pressure.
Key facts about Parish Deaconess
- Education level: University degree (3–4 years, diaconate program)
- Work environment: Parish/church, varied workplaces
- Typical employment type: Permanent employment, sometimes part-time
- Demand: Great opportunities according to the Swedish Public Employment Service
- Number of vacancies: 237 within the profession
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a parish deaconess, there may be opportunities to take on more responsibility, such as coordinating diaconal work or leading larger projects within the parish. Some choose to further their education in psychotherapy, supervision, or leadership to broaden their skills. Forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service indicate that demand for deacons and related professions is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, but job opportunities will continue to be abundant due to recruitment difficulties and retirements. The profession also offers good opportunities for specialization in areas such as youth work, integration efforts, or crisis management.
Common questions about Parish Deaconess
- What does a parish deaconess earn?
- A parish deaconess has an average salary of 42 900 SEK per month. - What is required to become a parish deaconess?
- A university-level diaconate education, practical training, and approval from a church community are required. - What are the job responsibilities?
- Responsibilities include counseling, social work, crisis management, and volunteer coordination. - What are the future prospects?
- Job opportunities are plentiful, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. - Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
- Women earn on average 43 000 SEK, data on men is unavailable. - What is the work environment like?
- The work environment is varied, including office work and meetings in different settings.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 42200 kr | 42900 kr | |
| Snitt | 42000 kr | 42900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 42200 kr | 42900 kr | |
| Snitt | 42000 kr | 42900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 42200 kr | 42900 kr | |
| Snitt | 42000 kr | 42900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 42300 kr | 43000 kr | |
| Snitt | 42200 kr | 43000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 42300 kr | 43000 kr | |
| Snitt | 42200 kr | 43000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 42300 kr | 43000 kr | |
| Snitt | 42200 kr | 43000 kr |
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 Parish deaconess has the SSYK code 2672, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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