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- The harbor master salary
The harbor master salary
52 800 SEK
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
47 200 - 56 900 SEK / month
Transport
Average salary
52 800 SEK/month
Monthly gross salary
Salary range
47 200 - 56 900 SEK
Latest available range
Data year
2025
Latest published dataset
Related tools
Salary progression The harbor master
Average salary
52 800 kr
Males
53 000 kr
Females
0 kr
What does a harbour pilot do? – Tasks and working environment
A harbour pilot plays a central role in navigating and maneuvering ships within port areas. Tasks include assisting the captain and ensuring the safe movement of the vessel during arrival and departure, sometimes also during mooring and unloading. The harbour pilot is responsible for adhering to safety regulations and collaborates with tug operators, crew, and port personnel. Work often occurs in varying weather conditions and may involve shift work, requiring flexibility and the ability to handle stressful situations.
Salary development over time
The salary for harbour pilots has shown stable and positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 47,600 SEK per month, increasing to 50 500 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary reached 52 800 SEK, corresponding to an increase of about 6.1% over three years. The trend indicates a continued demand for maritime expertise, possibly due to increased safety and efficiency requirements in port operations and a general shortage of experienced pilots. Education level and specialized experience also positively influence salary development, especially for those working in the private sector with longer training.
Harbour pilot salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 52 800 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 44,900 SEK/month (male, private sector, pre-secondary education)
- Highest salary: 55,300 SEK/month (male, private sector, post-secondary education 3+ years)
- Highest salary for women: 54,900 SEK/month
- Lowest salary for women: 48,700 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 304 SEK
- Gender differences: Salary data for women is incomplete in some areas, but the highest and lowest salaries show little difference between genders.
- Regional differences: No specific data available, but differences may occur depending on port size and traffic.
Education and qualifications
To work as a harbour pilot, generally a post-secondary education in shipping is required, often at a vocational college or university, with a focus on maritime officer training. The education combines practical sea service and requires specific certificates. Depending on responsibilities, further training or specialized courses may be needed, and prior maritime experience is often advantageous.
- Formal education: Maritime officer classes VII–V, typically 2–4 years
- Certifications: Endorsements from the Swedish Transport Agency, safety courses
- Practical training: Mandatory sea service included in education
- Prerequisites: Basic eligibility, often maritime practical experience or relevant work background
- Tips for choosing: Select education with strong links to port and ship operations for the best chances of employment
Many harbour pilots have opportunities to work internationally and build networks with colleagues worldwide, providing a unique insight into global shipping and logistics.
Common benefits and compensations
Typical benefits for harbour pilots include per diems when working away from home, overtime pay, additional allowances for unsociable hours, and sometimes wellness contributions. Many employers also offer collectively agreed pension schemes, insurance, and opportunities for skills development through courses and further training.
Competition and challenges
The job market for harbour pilots is characterized by a limited number of positions and high requirements for formal education and experience. The profession is part of a broader occupational group where competition for the most attractive roles can be fierce, especially in larger ports. Technological changes and increased safety demands require continuous skills development. At the same time, the work environment is often challenging, with shift work, night shifts, and exposure to weather conditions, demanding good physical and mental resilience. For those flexible and willing to work at various locations nationally or internationally, good employment opportunities exist.
Tips for aspiring harbour pilots
To succeed as a harbour pilot, it’s beneficial to combine technical precision with strong communication skills and stress resilience. An initial step is to seek internships in shipping early to gain experience and insight into the profession. Being responsible and having good teamwork skills facilitates collaboration with officers and crew, especially during complex maneuvers. It’s also important to continuously update knowledge on new regulations and safety procedures to stay competitive. Flexibility and the ability to work under changing conditions, including unsociable hours, are crucial for thriving and developing in the role. Finally, an interest in international contacts and logistics can open doors to exciting career paths within ports and shipping sectors.
Key facts about harbour pilots
- Educational level: Post-secondary education in shipping (2–4 years)
- Work environment: Port areas, often shift work and varying weather
- Employment type: Permanent or temporary, sometimes international
- Demand: 412 job openings within the profession (May 2024)
- Special skills: Navigation, safety regulations, cooperation with tugs and crew
Career paths and future outlook
After three to five years in the profession, harbour pilots can advance to senior officer roles, such as chief mate or captain on larger vessels, depending on education and experience. Further training in shipping or logistics can also open opportunities for administrative roles within port management or shipping companies. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, there is no specific forecast for harbour pilots due to limited data, but within the maritime officer group, 412 job openings indicate a certain demand. The industry is influenced by economic cycles and technological development, making flexibility and continuous skills upgrading important factors for long-term career development.
Frequently asked questions about harbour pilots
- What does a harbour pilot earn?
- A harbour pilot has an average salary of 52 800 SEK per month. - What education is required to become a harbour pilot?
- Post-secondary education in shipping, often with a Class VII–V maritime officer qualification, combined with practical training and certification. - What is the working environment like for a harbour pilot?
- Work takes place in ports, often with shift work and varying weather conditions. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Salary data shows small differences; highest salary for men is 55,300 SEK, for women 54,900 SEK. - What are the future prospects for harbour pilots?
- No exact forecast exists, but 412 job openings within the profession indicate demand. - What personal qualities are important for a harbour pilot?
- Attention to detail, stress resilience, and teamwork skills are central qualities. - What is the hourly wage for a harbour pilot?
- The average is 304 SEK per hour.
Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a The harbor master is 56900 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 56100 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a The harbor master is 47200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 50800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 48100 kr | 51800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 50600 kr | 55300 kr | |
| 55-64 | 51100 kr | 54600 kr | |
| Snitt | 49200 kr | 52800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 88% | 48000 kr | 50800 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 48500 kr | 53500 kr |
| 45-54 | 106% | 51600 kr | 57600 kr |
| 55-64 | 51600 kr | 56300 kr | |
| 65-68 | 43500 kr | 46200 kr | |
| Snitt | 99% | 50100 kr | 55100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 88% | 48000 kr | 50800 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 48500 kr | 53500 kr |
| 45-54 | 106% | 51600 kr | 57600 kr |
| 55-64 | 51600 kr | 56300 kr | |
| 65-68 | 43500 kr | 46200 kr | |
| Snitt | 99% | 50100 kr | 55100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 47400 kr | 48600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 47400 kr | 48600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 48100 kr | 51900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 50500 kr | 55200 kr | |
| 55-64 | 51100 kr | 54500 kr | |
| Snitt | 49300 kr | 53000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 88% | 48800 kr | 51900 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 48400 kr | 53400 kr |
| 45-54 | 106% | 51400 kr | 57400 kr |
| 55-64 | 51600 kr | 56300 kr | |
| 65-68 | 43500 kr | 46200 kr | |
| Snitt | 99% | 50100 kr | 55100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 88% | 48800 kr | 51900 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 48400 kr | 53400 kr |
| 45-54 | 106% | 51400 kr | 57400 kr |
| 55-64 | 51600 kr | 56300 kr | |
| 65-68 | 43500 kr | 46200 kr | |
| Snitt | 99% | 50100 kr | 55100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 47800 kr | 48900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 47800 kr | 48900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 88% | 43900 kr | 45400 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 50200 kr | 54600 kr |
| 45-54 | 106% | 55600 kr | 61100 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 50200 kr | 54700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 88% | 43900 kr | 45400 kr |
| 35-44 | 102% | 50200 kr | 54600 kr |
| 45-54 | 106% | 55600 kr | 61100 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 50200 kr | 54700 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 The harbor master has the SSYK code 3152, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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