Image that illustrates Home care assistant

Home care assistant

36 100 kr

Treatment assistants and social pedagogues etc.

31 800 - 41 500 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Home care assistant

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

What does a home care assistant do? – Tasks and work environment

A home care assistant works to support individuals who need help in their daily lives, often the elderly or people with disabilities. Tasks include personal care, assistance with meals and medication, social support, and light household chores. The work mainly takes place in the client's home, which requires independence, flexibility, and the ability to create a sense of security in different environments. Home care assistants often collaborate with nurses, occupational therapists, and relatives to ensure a holistic approach to the client's needs and quality of life.

Salary development over time

The salary development for home care assistants has been steadily positive in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,200 SEK per month. In 2023, it increased to 34 800 SEK, which is approximately a 4.8% increase. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 36 100 SEK, representing an almost 3.7% increase from the previous year. This salary growth reflects ongoing demand for skills in healthcare and social care, as well as increased requirements for education and responsibilities. Market needs for qualified personnel and demographic trends with more elderly people have driven these salary increases.

Home care assistant salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 36 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (women/men): 31,800 SEK / 32,400 SEK
  • Highest salary (women/men): 41,500 SEK / 39,200 SEK
  • Hourly wage (average): 217 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 35 900 SEK, men 36 500 SEK (98%)
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a home care assistant, a high school diploma with a focus on healthcare and social care is usually required. Many employers prefer applicants to have completed the Vocational Program in Care and Welfare, but there are also opportunities to supplement with adult education, various courses, or validation of work experience. Internships or on-the-job training are often part of the education, providing valuable experience before starting the profession. For some employers, specific courses in dementia care or medication management may be advantageous.

  • High school education: Care and Welfare Program (3 years)
  • Adult education: Possible for adults without a high school diploma
  • Internship/Work-based learning: Often mandatory during training
  • Certification/courses: Examples include dementia care, medication management
  • Language skills: Basic proficiency in Swedish required

Home care assistants often meet clients from many different cultures and communities. Social skills and the ability to quickly adapt to various situations are therefore an important and sometimes underrated part of the profession. Being able to build trust and security in interactions with new people is a valuable skill that develops daily in the work.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Home care assistants are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, and extra compensation for unsocial hours. Other common benefits include work clothing, skills development, and the possibility of flexible hours or preferred schedules depending on the employer. Some employers also provide support for further education and supervision in daily work.

Challenges and competition

The job market for home care assistants is characterized by balance, where supply and demand for labor are relatively equal. Nationally, job opportunities are assessed as moderate, and over the next five years, demand is expected to remain unchanged according to the Employment Service's forecast. One of the main challenges in the profession is the high pace and psychological stress that can arise when working with clients in vulnerable situations. Lack of resources and time pressure can also affect the work environment, requiring resilience and good teamwork skills.

Tips for those who want to become a home care assistant

To succeed as a home care assistant, it is good to have a genuine interest in helping others and a high degree of empathy, as the work often involves close contact with people in need of support. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to different work environments and situations are important, since no two days are alike. Attention to detail is crucial in medication management and documentation to ensure each client receives the correct care. Being resilient helps when the pace is high or unexpected situations arise. Good communication skills are also key, both for interacting with clients and collaborating with colleagues or relatives. Curiosity and willingness to learn new methods and routines help stay updated. Finally, patience and the ability to build trust are essential qualities for establishing long-term relationships in the profession.

Key facts about home care assistants

  • Education level: High school diploma (care and welfare) or equivalent
  • Work environment: Client’s home, independent and varied
  • Common employment type: Municipal employment, sometimes private or state sector
  • Demand: Moderate, balanced labor market (237 job openings)
  • Special skills: Dementia care, medication management, social support

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a home care assistant can develop into more specialized roles such as coordinator, supervisor, or trainer within home care. Further education often leads to work as an assistant nurse, treatment assistant, or social pedagogue. The forecast for the labor market is unchanged over five years, with moderate opportunities and a balance between supply and demand. Those wishing to broaden their career options can supplement their education with courses in dementia care, psychiatry, or leadership.

Frequently asked questions about home care assistants

  • What is the average salary of a home care assistant?
    - A home care assistant has an average monthly salary of 36 100 SEK.
  • How do gender differences look in home care assistant salaries?
    - Women earn 35 900 SEK and men 36 500 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salaries.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for home care assistants?
    - The highest salary is 41,500 SEK (female, municipal sector, research education) and the lowest 31,800 SEK (female, public sector).
  • What education is required to become a home care assistant?
    - The Vocational Program in Care and Welfare or equivalent adult education is most common.
  • What are the future prospects for home care assistants?
    - Job opportunities are moderate and expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What are common tasks for a home care assistant?
    - Personal care, household chores, medication management, and social support in the client's home.
  • Is there an opportunity for further education?
    - Yes, further education can lead to roles such as assistant nurse, coordinator, or social pedagogue.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Home care assistant 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 Home care assistant 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 Home care assistant has the SSYK code 3411, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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