Image that illustrates Parish sister

Parish sister

36 100 kr

Treatment assistants and social pedagogues etc.

31 800 - 41 500 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Socialt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Parish sister

Average salary 36 100 kr
Males 36 500 kr
Females 35 900 kr

What does a Församlingssyster do? – Tasks and work environment

A Församlingssyster primarily works to support people in vulnerable life situations, often within church or voluntary organizations. Tasks include counseling, practical assistance, crisis management, and sometimes coordinating volunteer efforts. The role involves close contact with individuals and families needing social, psychosocial, or existential support. The work environment is often varied, with work both in offices and in the field, which demands flexibility and the ability to meet people in different life situations.

Salary development over time

Salaries for Församlingssysters have shown a clear upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,200 SEK per month, increasing to 34 800 SEK in 2023 and reaching 36 100 SEK in 2024. The total increase from 2022 to 2024 amounts to approximately 8.7%, indicating a stable and positive development. The increase is likely due to a combination of general salary adjustments within the public sector, increased demand for social support, and a growing focus on qualified interventions within church and voluntary activities. Despite being part of a broad occupational group, salaries have kept pace with similar professions and reflect the required skill level and educational background.

Församlingssysters often play a special role as bridges between church, society, and individuals. The profession requires integrity and sensitivity, as meetings often occur in sensitive life situations where trust is crucial to providing proper support.

– statsskuld.se

Församlingssyster salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 36 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,800 SEK/month (female, government sector)
  • Highest salary: 41,500 SEK/month (female, municipal sector, doctoral degree)
  • Hourly wage: 217 SEK/hour
  • Women earn: 35 900 SEK/month (98% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 36 500 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Salaries may vary between regions and employers but generally follow national guidelines within the public sector.

Education and qualifications

To work as a Församlingssyster, a post-secondary education in healthcare, social work, or diaconal studies is usually required, often combined with experience in church or voluntary contexts. Formal requirements may vary depending on the employer, but broad competence in counseling, crisis management, and social support are central parts of the role.

  • Formal degree: Degree in social work or equivalent (3–3.5 years)
  • Supplementary training: Diaconal education or courses in spiritual care and crisis management
  • Practical experience: Internships or work within church or social services are recommended
  • Certifications: Some employers require specific certificates or church authorization
  • Prerequisites: Good social skills and experience in counseling support are advantageous

Common benefits and compensations

Församlingssysters are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, and insurances. Other common conditions include flexible working hours, opportunities for skills development, and employer support for further education. In some cases, compensation for unsocial hours and additional leave may also be provided.

Competition and challenges

The job market for Församlingssysters is considered balanced, with moderate opportunities nationwide. Demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years according to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast for social workers and social pedagogues. Challenges in the profession include meeting complex needs of individuals in vulnerable situations, often with limited resources and time. Competition for positions may vary between regions, but personal suitability and experience often weigh heavily in hiring decisions.

Tips for aspiring Församlingssyster

To succeed as a Församlingssyster, it is beneficial to combine empathy with a structured work methodology, as the profession requires both sensitivity and the ability to handle many cases simultaneously. Further education in counseling techniques and diaconal studies provides a solid foundation, along with experience from social or church work. An attentive and communicative personality facilitates collaboration with colleagues and support seekers. Being solution-oriented and patient helps in managing difficult situations. Initiative and independence are often valued, especially in smaller organizations with broad responsibilities. It is also important to set boundaries and take care of your own recovery to sustain long-term work.

Key facts about Församlingssyster

  • Education level: Post-secondary, often social worker or diaconal studies
  • Work environment: Varied, both office-based and fieldwork
  • Work setting: Often within church, diocese, or voluntary sector
  • Demand: Moderate, balanced on the job market
  • Number of job openings (2024): 237 within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Församlingssyster, there are opportunities to advance to coordinating roles within church or social services, such as leading diaconal work or social project management. Some choose to further qualify as diaconal workers, counselors, or social pedagogues. The Swedish Public Employment Service estimates that the job market for treatment assistants and social pedagogues will remain balanced over the next five years, with unchanged demand. This means there will continue to be stable demand for qualified Församlingssysters, although competition for certain positions may be high depending on the region and employer.

Frequently asked questions about Församlingssyster

  • What does a Församlingssyster earn?
    - The average salary for a Församlingssyster is 36 100 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between women and men?
    - Yes, women earn approximately 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • What education is required to become a Församlingssyster?
    - Typically, a degree in social work or equivalent along with supplementary diaconal training.
  • What is the job market like for Församlingssysters?
    - The job market is balanced, with moderate opportunities and unchanged demand according to forecasts.
  • What tasks does a Församlingssyster perform?
    - Tasks include counseling support, crisis management, and practical help for individuals in vulnerable life situations.
  • What are the career prospects?
    - Opportunities to advance to coordinating roles or further education within social or church work.
  • What benefits are common in the profession?
    - Common benefits include occupational pension, wellness allowance, insurances, and opportunities for skills development.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Parish sister is 41500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Municipal sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 39200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Parish sister is 31800 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 32400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 28900 kr 31300 kr
25-34 98% 32600 kr 34700 kr
35-44 99% 34300 kr 36500 kr
45-54 100% 34800 kr 37100 kr
55-64 100% 34800 kr 36700 kr
65-68 101% 34800 kr 37000 kr
Snitt 98% 34000 kr 36100 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 Parish sister has the SSYK code 3411, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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