Image that illustrates Purchasing Secretary

Purchasing Secretary

37 900 kr

Purchasing and order assistants

31 400 - 41 800 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

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Salary progression Purchasing Secretary

Average salary 37 900 kr
Males 39 500 kr
Females 37 100 kr

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

A purchasing secretary primarily works with administrative and coordinating tasks related to procurement and order management within companies and organizations. The role involves assisting the purchasing department by handling orders, following up on deliveries, documenting procurement processes, and communicating with both suppliers and internal parties. The work environment is typically office-based and characterized by a fast pace, where accuracy, structure, and service orientation are central qualities. Many purchasing secretaries work in teams where collaboration and flexibility are important to meet organizational needs.

Salary Development Over Time

Over the past three years, the salary for purchasing secretaries has shown a steady upward trend. In 2022, the average salary was 35,700 SEK per month, increasing to 36 900 SEK in 2023 and further to 37 900 SEK in 2024. The total increase amounts to approximately 6.2% over the period, reflecting a continued demand for competent procurement and order assistants. The increase can partly be attributed to the labor market’s need for efficient procurement processes and increased complexity in supply chains, which in turn requires administrative expertise. Salary differences between men and women have persisted, with men generally earning slightly more than women, although the gap has narrowed somewhat over time.

Purchasing Secretary Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 37 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,400 SEK/month (male, private sector, employed worker)
  • Highest salary: 41,800 SEK/month (female, private sector, high school education)
  • Hourly wage: 228 SEK
  • Women: 37 100 SEK/month
  • Men: 39 500 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 94% of men's salary

Education and Qualifications

To work as a purchasing secretary, a high school diploma is usually required, preferably with a focus on economics, administration, or commerce. Many employers also value post-secondary courses in procurement, logistics, or economics, as well as experience with administrative systems. Practical experience and good knowledge of Swedish and English are often required, and there are opportunities to supplement with certifications or shorter courses to strengthen one's skills.

  • High school diploma: Economics, trade, or administration (3 years)
  • Post-secondary education: Courses in procurement, logistics, or economics
  • Certifications: For example, purchasing assistant certification
  • Internship/Trainee: Meritorious for employment
  • Prerequisites: Good computer skills, Swedish, and English

Many purchasing secretaries quickly gain a broad understanding of the entire procurement process and can advance to more qualified roles, such as buyer or logistics coordinator, thanks to experience working closely with both suppliers and internal requisitioners.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Perks

In addition to base salary, purchasing secretaries are often offered benefits such as wellness allowance, occupational pension, flexible hours, and sometimes remote work options. Some employers also offer further training, subsidized lunches, and employee discounts, contributing to an attractive overall package.

Competition and Challenges

Purchasing secretaries operate in a job market where competition for positions can vary depending on region and industry. Despite steady demand, candidates often need updated system knowledge and good adaptability to changing workflows. Digitalization and automation are impacting the profession and increasing the requirements for technical skills. Lack of experience in complex procurement environments can be a challenge for recent graduates, and employers often seek employees who can quickly familiarize themselves with new processes and systems.

Tips for Aspiring Purchasing Secretaries

To succeed as a purchasing secretary, it is beneficial to have a strong attention to detail, as the work often involves managing large amounts of data and documentation. Being service-oriented and communicative facilitates collaboration within the team and with external partners. Flexibility and prioritization skills are crucial when the pace is high and tasks change rapidly. Good organizational skills make it easier to keep track of procurement flows and delivery times. Additionally, gaining practical experience early through internships or part-time jobs provides insight into industry requirements and work environment.

Key Facts about Purchasing Secretaries

  • Education level: High school diploma, preferably in economics or trade
  • Work environment: Office-based, often fast-paced
  • Work form: Full-time or part-time, sometimes remote options
  • Demand: 550 available jobs within the profession (2024)
  • Special skills: Administrative systems, procurement processes

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years in the role of purchasing secretary, opportunities open up to advance to more qualified positions such as buyer, order administrator, or logistics coordinator. Experience in process optimization and managing larger supplier agreements can also pave the way for roles in procurement or project management. According to the Employment Service’s occupational forecast, no specific future assessment is made for purchasing secretaries, but the number of available jobs in the profession is relatively large, indicating a stable job market. Digitalization and automation are expected to continue impacting the role, with increased demands for system competence and flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions about Purchasing Secretaries

  • What is the average salary of a Purchasing Secretary?
    - A purchasing secretary has an average salary of 37 900 SEK per month.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for a Purchasing Secretary?
    - The highest salary is 41,800 SEK and the lowest 31,400 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Men earn an average of 39 500 SEK, women 37 100 SEK, which means women earn 94% of men's salaries.
  • Is post-secondary education required?
    - High school education is often sufficient, but post-secondary courses in procurement or economics are advantageous.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - No specific forecast, but there are 550 available jobs in the profession according to current data.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Attention to detail, service-mindedness, and flexibility are especially valuable in the role.
  • What common benefits are offered?
    - Wellness allowance, occupational pension, flexible hours, and sometimes remote work options.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Purchasing Secretary is 41800 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Private sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 41000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Purchasing Secretary is 31400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 32200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 33200 kr 33200 kr
25-34 95% 35800 kr 36000 kr
35-44 90% 38000 kr 38200 kr
45-54 99% 40800 kr 41100 kr
55-64 95% 39400 kr 39600 kr
Snitt 94% 37700 kr 37900 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 Secretary has the SSYK code 4115, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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