- Salary statistics
- Athlete, professional
Athlete, professional
44 100 - 44 900 kr / month
Pedagogiskt arbete
Salary progression Athlete, professional
What does a professional athlete do? Tasks and work environment
A professional athlete dedicates themselves to training, competition, and development within their specific sport full-time or part-time. Tasks include daily physical training, tactical and technical development, and participating in matches, competitions, and tournaments both nationally and internationally. Besides the sporting activities, collaboration with coaches, medical staff, and sometimes sponsors or media is often required. The work environment varies from sports halls, arenas, outdoor venues, gyms, and training facilities, often with high demands on discipline and recovery.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, salary growth for professional athletes has been significant. In 2022, the average salary was 31,926 kronor, increasing in 2023 to 41 300 kronor, and reaching 44 900 kronor in 2024. This represents an increase of over 40 percent in three years, which is an unusually strong growth compared to many other professions. This development can be explained by increased commercial interest in sports, larger sponsor revenues, and greater investments in Swedish elite sports. The demand for professional athletes has been high, and visibility in media and international competitions has also contributed to the salary increase.
Professional athlete salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 44 900 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data not available
- Hourly wage: 270 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: Data not available
- Regional differences: Data not available
Education and qualifications
The path to becoming a professional athlete is often individual and based on early specialization within a sport, combined with targeted training and competition. Formal educational requirements are not necessary, but many choose to combine studies at sports high schools or specialized sports programs with elite sports pursuits. Practical experience, mental focus, and continuous development are crucial for success at a high level.
- Sports high school: 3 years, often with specialization towards elite sports
- Specialized sports programs: Examples include National Sports High Schools and NIU programs
- Competition merits: Participation and success in national and international competitions
- Physical and technical training: Ongoing individual development
- Mental work: Coaching, mental training, and recovery strategies
Many professional athletes are engaged in social issues and serve as role models for youth. It is common for sports stars to participate in projects related to health, inclusion, and leadership, which gives the profession a broader societal impact than often visible on the arena.
Common benefits and compensations
Professional athletes often have access to benefits such as performance bonuses, sponsorship contracts, wellness allowances, and access to medical personnel and training facilities. Travel, training camps, and equipment are often included in employment contracts or agreements with clubs or associations.
Competition and challenges
The competition within professional sports is very high, with a limited number of spots at the elite level and new talents constantly challenging for contracts and playing time. Injuries, loss of form, and mental pressure are common challenges that can impact both career length and performance. To maintain their position, continuous development and adaptation to new training methods and competition conditions are required. Additionally, careers are often short, meaning many need to plan for a future after sports.
Tips for those who want to become a professional athlete
To succeed as a professional athlete, it is important to have strong goal orientation and the ability to structure daily life around training and recovery. High discipline is required to stay motivated during long training periods and handle setbacks. Collaboration skills are crucial, as success often depends on teamwork with coaches, teammates, and experts. Mental strength helps manage pressure and public focus, while flexibility facilitates adaptation to new conditions and career opportunities. Finally, curiosity and openness to new knowledge are important qualities for continuous development within the sport.
Key facts about professional athletes
- Educational level: Specialized sports education, often at high school level
- Work environment: Training facilities, arenas, travel, and competition environments
- Typical employment form: Temporary contracts or freelance
- Demand: 434 available jobs according to latest statistics
- Special skills: Sport-specific techniques and competition merits
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a professional athlete can advance to leading roles within their team or sport, such as team captain or coach. Other pathways include moving to international clubs or participating in major championships. After their active career, many choose to work as coaches, sports managers, or media experts. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, demand remains stable, with a high number of advertised positions and good opportunities for those with the right merits and networks.
Frequently asked questions about professional athletes
- What does a professional athlete earn?
- The average salary is 44 900 kronor per month according to the latest statistics. - How long is an athlete's career?
- The active career typically lasts between 5 and 15 years, depending on the sport and injuries. - Is education required to become a professional athlete?
- Formal requirements are not necessary, but sports high schools and specialized training are common pathways. - What are the most common benefits?
- Bonuses, sponsorship contracts, wellness allowances, and access to training facilities are common benefits. - What are the future prospects?
- Demand remains stable, and there are 434 available jobs according to current statistics. - Are there regional differences?
- Specific regional differences are not available in the accessible statistics. - What do athletes do after their sports career?
- Many become coaches, sports managers, or work within media and sports organizations.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 37700 kr | 38100 kr | |
| Snitt | 44100 kr | 44900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 37700 kr | 38100 kr | |
| Snitt | 44100 kr | 44900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 37700 kr | 38100 kr | |
| Snitt | 44100 kr | 44900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 39900 kr | 40500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 39900 kr | 40500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 39900 kr | 40500 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 Athlete, professional has the SSYK code 3421, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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