How much does a Head-hunter make

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Head-hunter

49 900 kr

Personnel and HR specialists

40 500 - 58 600 kr / month

Women earn 93% of what men do.

Administration, ekonomi

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Head-hunter

Average salary 49 900 kr
Males 52 900 kr
Females 49 100 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 212 Vacant jobs ->

What does a headhunter do? – Tasks and work environment

A headhunter works to identify, contact, and recruit qualified candidates for senior or specialized positions within companies and organizations. The work is often commissioned by employers seeking skills outside traditional application channels. Typical tasks include mapping industry profiles, conducting interviews, evaluating candidates' backgrounds, and presenting the most suitable persons for the assignment. The work environment is mainly office-based, with elements of digital work and many external meetings. The role requires high integrity, discretion, and the ability to build long-term relationships with both candidates and clients.

Salary development over time

The salary for a headhunter has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 46,000 SEK per month. In 2023, it increased to 47 600 SEK, representing a salary increase of about 3.5%. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 49 900 SEK, which is an increase of approximately 4.8% compared to the previous year. This positive trend reflects a growing demand for specialized recruitment skills and the industry's valuation of experience and networking. Market developments and the need to attract the right talent have clearly influenced the upward salary trend.

Headhunter salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 49 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 40,500 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 58,600 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 300 SEK
  • Women: 49 100 SEK/month
  • Men: 52 900 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 93% of what men do

Education and qualifications

To work as a headhunter, a post-secondary education is usually required, often in human resources, economics, law, or behavioral sciences. Industry experience and a strong network are highly valuable, and many headhunters have previously worked in HR, sales, or consulting. Certifications in recruitment or selection techniques can be advantageous, as well as good knowledge of business English and digital tools.

  • Post-secondary education: 3 years or more (e.g., HR, economist, lawyer)
  • Certifications: Recruitment and interview techniques
  • Industry experience: Previous work in HR, sales, or consulting roles
  • Prerequisites: Good communication and analytical skills
  • Tips: Build a strong network through internships, trainee programs, or industry activities

Many headhunters work on international assignments and therefore need to be comfortable working in English and understanding different corporate cultures. The ability to quickly familiarize oneself with new industries and roles is crucial for success in the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Headhunters are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, bonuses, and the possibility of flexible working hours. Other common benefits include mobile phones, computers, and sometimes company cars, depending on the employer and assignment level.

Competition and challenges

The competition within headhunting is significant, especially in major cities and in industries with high demand for specialists. The profession demands discretion, sensitivity, and the ability to quickly build trust with both clients and candidates. A major challenge is finding the right competence in a rapidly changing job market where candidates are often already employed. Additionally, staying updated on legislation, trends, and digital tools that transform the recruitment process is essential. The ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and deliver results under time pressure is crucial.

Tips for aspiring headhunters

To succeed as a headhunter, it is beneficial to cultivate a strong curiosity and interest in people, as the role relies on understanding both candidates' and employers' needs. Being communicative and attentive aids in network building and contact with various industries. Develop analytical skills to assess competencies and potential objectively. It is also important to be persistent and resilient, as the process often involves rapid changes and high demands for delivery. A proactive attitude, where you seek out and contact interesting profiles, is key to success. Build industry knowledge through internships, trainee programs, or working in HR, and aim to create a broad and relevant contact network. Finally, integrity and discretion are vital, as the work often involves handling confidential information.

Key facts about headhunters

  • Educational level: Post-secondary degree (3 years or more)
  • Work environment: Office-based, often with digital tools and external meetings
  • Work form: Full-time, sometimes consulting or project-based
  • Demand: Moderate opportunities, approximately 758 job openings in the profession
  • Special skills: Networking and interview techniques

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a headhunter, there are good opportunities to advance to senior recruiter, consulting manager, or partner within a recruitment firm. Some choose to specialize within a certain industry, such as IT, finance, or manufacturing, while others move into internal HR departments or start their own consulting business. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the opportunities for employment in the HR and personnel specialist group are moderate, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. The market is characterized by a balance between applicants and available positions, meaning competition is stable, but specialization and experience can provide advantages in the job market.

Frequently asked questions about headhunters

  • What is the average salary of a headhunter?
    - A headhunter has an average salary of 49 900 SEK per month.
  • How has the salary development for headhunters been?
    - Salaries have increased from 46,000 SEK in 2022 to 49 900 SEK in 2024, representing an increase of about 8.5% over three years.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn an average of 49 100 SEK and men 52 900 SEK, meaning women earn 93% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a headhunter?
    - A post-secondary education, often in human resources, economics, or law, as well as experience from HR or consulting industries.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - Job opportunities are moderate, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years according to the Swedish Public Employment Service.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a headhunter?
    - The highest salary is 58,600 SEK (male, private sector, post-secondary education), and the lowest is 40,500 SEK (female, public sector, high school education).
  • What benefits are common?
    - Common benefits include occupational pension, wellness allowance, bonuses, and flexible working hours.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-11 10:48:41

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Head-hunter is 58600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 56200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Head-hunter is 40500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 44000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 32500 kr 32600 kr
25-34 96% 42700 kr 43000 kr
35-44 97% 50900 kr 51200 kr
45-54 91% 53700 kr 54200 kr
55-64 92% 55100 kr 55700 kr
65-68 55200 kr 55300 kr
Snitt 93% 49500 kr 49900 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 Head-hunter has the SSYK code 2423, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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