Salary progression Purchasing assistant

Average salary 38 000 kr
Males 41 200 kr
Females 36 500 kr

What does a Purchasing Assistant do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Purchasing Assistant supports the procurement department in companies and organizations. This often involves handling order placement, monitoring deliveries, following up on agreements and supplier contacts, and managing documentation related to purchasing. Job duties can vary depending on industry and company size, but the role is characterized by a fast pace, many contact points, and a strong focus on accuracy. Purchasing Assistants mainly work in an office environment, often in teams with buyers, logistics staff, and finance departments.

Salary development over time

The salary for a Purchasing Assistant has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 35,700 SEK per month, rising to 37 900 SEK in 2023. The latest measurement for 2024 shows an average salary of 38 000 SEK, representing a total increase of about 6.2% over three years. This development reflects a generally good demand for administrative roles in procurement, where digitalization and increased supply chain requirements have contributed to greater responsibilities and skill demands. Salary increases can also be seen as a result of a competitive job market where employers aim to retain and attract skilled employees.

Purchasing Assistant salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 38 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,400 SEK/month (male) / 32,200 SEK/month (female)
  • Highest salary: 41,000 SEK/month (male) / 41,800 SEK/month (female)
  • Hourly wage (average): 228 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 88% of what men do (men: 41 200 SEK, women: 36 500 SEK)
  • Regional differences: No reliable statistics for specific regions

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a Purchasing Assistant often involves a high school education in economics, commerce, or administration, but post-secondary education and practical experience are advantageous. Employers also value good computer skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both internally and externally. There are opportunities to supplement with courses in procurement, logistics, or business systems to strengthen your profile.

  • High school diploma: Economics, commerce, or administration program (3 years)
  • Post-secondary education: Vocational training in procurement/logistics (1–2 years) is meritorious
  • Certifications/courses: Courses in business systems, Excel, and procurement processes are recommended
  • Internship: Work-based internships during education provide valuable experience
  • Prerequisites: Often requires a high school diploma and basic computer skills

Many Purchasing Assistants quickly develop a broad network within the company, as the role involves collaboration with suppliers, finance, and production. This provides good opportunities to gain insight into the entire business flow early on and develop important business skills.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Purchasing Assistants are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, flexitime, occupational pension, and the possibility of remote work. Other common compensations include subsidized lunches, professional development, and sometimes bonuses linked to company performance. The scope of benefits varies between employers and industries.

Competition and challenges

Competition for roles as a Purchasing Assistant is considered moderate, where experience and specialized skills in business systems or logistics can be decisive for standing out. Since the profession is part of a broad occupational group, the job market depends on both economic conditions and companies’ investment willingness. Challenges include managing rapid changes in supply chains, increased digitalization, and high demands for administration and accuracy. There is also some salary competition, especially at larger employers in cities.

Tips for those wishing to become a Purchasing Assistant

To succeed as a Purchasing Assistant, it is good to be detail-oriented, organized, and have strong communication skills. Learning to work efficiently with business systems and Excel provides a clear advantage, as does actively seeking internships to gain insight into the role. Demonstrating initiative and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously is important, as daily work often involves quick reprioritizations. Flexibility and problem-solving skills are appreciated by employers, especially when managing deliveries or contracts under time pressure. Building relationships with colleagues and suppliers is also a key success factor, as collaboration often spans multiple departments. Finally, having a genuine interest in business and logistics provides natural motivation in the role.

Key facts about Purchasing Assistants

  • Education level: High school diploma, often supplemented with courses or vocational training
  • Work environment: Office-based and team-oriented
  • Work form: Usually full-time, but part-time positions also occur
  • Demand: Approximately 550 job openings in spring 2024
  • Special skills: Business systems, Excel, and basic logistics

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Purchasing Assistant, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as Buyer, Logistician, or Supply Chain Coordinator. Further education or certification, for example in procurement management or project management, can open doors to more qualified positions. According to the Employment Service, no specific forecast is made for Purchasing Assistants due to limited data, but there is stable demand within the profession with about 550 job openings in spring 2024. Digitalization and automation influence the role, making skills in business systems and data analysis increasingly important for those looking to develop further.

Frequently asked questions about Purchasing Assistants

  • What does a Purchasing Assistant earn?
    - The average salary for a Purchasing Assistant is 38 000 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a Purchasing Assistant?
    - A high school diploma in economics, commerce, or administration is common, often supplemented with courses or vocational training.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Women earn 88% of what men do within the profession.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a Purchasing Assistant?
    - The highest salary is 41,800 SEK/month (female), the lowest is 31,400 SEK/month (male).
  • Are there many job openings for Purchasing Assistants?
    - In spring 2024, there were approximately 550 job openings in the profession.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Attention to detail, organization, and good teamwork skills are especially valuable.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - No specific forecast is provided, but stable demand exists within the profession according to the Employment Service.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Purchasing assistant is 44900 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 38500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Purchasing assistant is 32300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 34200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 27600 kr 27900 kr
25-34 88% 34600 kr 35000 kr
35-44 96% 40300 kr 40700 kr
45-54 91% 41600 kr 42100 kr
55-64 95% 40500 kr 40900 kr
Snitt 88% 37600 kr 38000 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 Purchasing assistant has the SSYK code 4115, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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