- Salary statistics
- Task leader
Task leader
29 800 - 41 300 kr / month
Women earn 93% of what men do.
Säkerhetsarbete
Salary progression Task leader
What does an incident commander do? – Tasks and work environment
An incident commander in fire and rescue services has overall responsibility for leading and coordinating during accidents, fires, and other emergency events. Tasks include quickly assessing the situation on site, making critical decisions, and instructing rescue personnel to ensure effective response and high safety. The role also involves contact with other authorities and partners, as well as documentation and follow-up of operations. The work environment is often challenging and can be physically and mentally demanding, especially since work is carried out under pressure and sometimes risky conditions.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, incident commanders in fire and rescue services have experienced steady salary growth. In 2022, the average salary was 34 900 SEK per month, increasing to 36 200 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 37 400 SEK. This represents an increase of approximately 7.2% over the period, indicating stable and positive salary development. The increase reflects both a higher demand for qualified leaders in rescue services and a greater focus on skill development and responsibility distribution. The market's need for experienced personnel, combined with the responsibilities of the role, has likely contributed to the gradual rise in salary levels.
Incident commander salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 37 400 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 29,800 SEK/month (woman, public sector, high school education)
- Highest salary: 41,300 SEK/month (man, private sector)
- Hourly wage: 225 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 34 900 SEK, men 37 600 SEK (93% compared to men)
- Regional differences: Specific regional variation data is lacking
Education and qualifications
To work as an incident commander, a solid education in fire and rescue services is generally required, often combined with experience as a firefighter. Basic training is usually supplemented with specialized leadership courses and certifications in incident management, as well as ongoing training to stay updated on new methods and regulations. Practical exercises and drills are an important part of the educational pathway.
- Basic education: Fire and Rescue Protection (SMO), 2 years
- Further training: Incident commander training, about 1 year
- Certifications: Leadership courses and ongoing training in rescue services
- Prerequisites: Experience as a firefighter and a driving license (often C-class)
- Practical training: Field exercises and supervised incident management
Many incident commanders also engage in training and preventive work, such as giving talks about fire safety in schools and companies. Pedagogical skills are therefore often as important as operational experience.
Common benefits and compensations
Incident commanders often enjoy benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, and access to occupational health services. Inconvenient working hours are sometimes compensated with overtime pay or standby allowances, and some employers also offer training grants and extra vacation days.
Competition and challenges
The competition for positions as incident commander is generally high since the number of available positions is limited compared to the qualified applicants. One of the biggest challenges is the high responsibility and the requirement to make quick, correct decisions under pressure. The role demands continuous training and the ability to manage both personnel and complex operations. Long and irregular work shifts are common, requiring both physical endurance and mental resilience. Additionally, the workload can vary greatly depending on the scope of the incident and the geographical area.
Tips for those who want to become an incident commander
To succeed as an incident commander, it is good to develop strong stress tolerance and be prepared to make decisive decisions under time pressure. Leadership skills are crucial – being able to motivate and lead a team in emergency situations requires clarity and empathy. Continuing education in rescue services and leadership increases the chances of advancing to incident commander. Good communication skills and teamwork are also important for effective collaboration with other authorities and actors. Precision and analytical ability aid in planning and evaluating operations, while a high sense of responsibility is necessary to handle the stresses and seriousness of the profession.
Key facts about incident commanders
- Education level: SMO + further training (about 3 years)
- Occupational group: Firefighters
- Work environment: Shift work and field operations
- Demand: 191 job openings within the profession (May 2024)
- Gender differences: Women earn 93% of men's salaries
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as an incident commander, there are opportunities to advance to higher positions such as rescue chief, training leader, or specialized roles in risk management and strategic leadership. Some choose to work with training or as instructors in rescue services. Projections from the Employment Service show that, due to limited data, it is not possible to give an exact assessment of job prospects, but currently there are 191 job openings in the firefighting profession. Future prospects are influenced by retirements, societal development, and investments in civil preparedness, which may cause regional variations in demand.
Frequently asked questions about incident commanders
- What does an incident commander earn?
- An incident commander has an average salary of 37 400 SEK per month. The lowest salary is 29,800 SEK and the highest 41,300 SEK. - How does one become an incident commander?
- The path goes via the training in Fire and Rescue Protection (SMO), further training to incident commander, and experience as a firefighter. - Is there a salary difference between men and women?
- Yes, women earn an average of 34 900 SEK, which is 93% of men's salaries. - What are the duties of an incident commander?
- The duties include leading operations at incidents, coordinating personnel, and collaborating with other authorities. - What is the work environment like?
- The work environment is physically and mentally demanding, with shift work and operations under stressful conditions. - Are there regional salary differences?
- Specific data about regional differences is lacking, but variations may occur depending on employer and location. - What are the future prospects?
- No exact forecast exists, but there are 191 job openings within the firefighting profession according to recent data.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 30500 kr | 32400 kr | |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33800 kr | 34700 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 36200 kr | 37100 kr |
| 45-54 | 37900 kr | 39100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 39200 kr | 40800 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 36300 kr | 37400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 30700 kr | 32600 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 33900 kr | 34700 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 36200 kr | 37000 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 38000 kr | 39000 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 39200 kr | 40600 kr |
| 65-68 | 38600 kr | 40700 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 36300 kr | 37300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 98% | 26500 kr | 30400 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 29900 kr | 32300 kr |
| 35-44 | 33100 kr | 35600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 33000 kr | 33600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34700 kr | 35900 kr | |
| Snitt | 94% | 30000 kr | 32700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32000 kr | 33200 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 33900 kr | 34700 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 36200 kr | 37000 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 38000 kr | 39000 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 39300 kr | 40700 kr |
| 65-68 | 38800 kr | 40700 kr | |
| Snitt | 94% | 36400 kr | 37400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 36000 kr | 39200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 36000 kr | 39200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 30700 kr | 32700 kr | |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33900 kr | 34900 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 36300 kr | 37200 kr |
| 45-54 | 38000 kr | 39100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 39200 kr | 40900 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 36500 kr | 37600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 30900 kr | 32900 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 33900 kr | 34800 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 36200 kr | 37100 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 38000 kr | 39000 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 39300 kr | 40600 kr |
| 65-68 | 38600 kr | 40700 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 36500 kr | 37500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 98% | 26700 kr | 30600 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 30000 kr | 32300 kr |
| 35-44 | 33400 kr | 35600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 33000 kr | 33600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34700 kr | 35900 kr | |
| Snitt | 94% | 30500 kr | 33000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32200 kr | 33600 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 34000 kr | 34800 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 36300 kr | 37100 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 38100 kr | 39100 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 39300 kr | 40700 kr |
| 65-68 | 38800 kr | 40700 kr | |
| Snitt | 94% | 36600 kr | 37500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 36700 kr | 40200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 36700 kr | 40200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 33000 kr | 33700 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 35300 kr | 36100 kr |
| Snitt | 93% | 33900 kr | 34900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 29800 kr | 31500 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 33400 kr | 34100 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 35200 kr | 36000 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 35600 kr | 37200 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 39000 kr | 39600 kr |
| Snitt | 93% | 34100 kr | 35000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 98% | 25800 kr | 29900 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 28900 kr | 32600 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 26800 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 31200 kr | 32100 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 33500 kr | 34100 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 35300 kr | 36000 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 35600 kr | 37200 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 39000 kr | 39600 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 34400 kr | 35200 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 Task leader has the SSYK code 5411, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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