Image that illustrates Railway conductor

Railway conductor

35 300 kr

Train attendants and on-board managers etc.

33 300 - 36 700 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Transport

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Railway conductor

Average salary 35 300 kr
Males 35 800 kr
Females 34 800 kr

What does a railway conductor do? – Tasks and work environment

A railway conductor is responsible for maintaining safety and service onboard trains. Tasks include ticket inspection, providing information to passengers, handling traffic disruptions, and collaborating with train drivers and other railway staff. The conductor ensures passengers have a safe and pleasant journey, assists with boarding and alighting, manages minor conflicts, and provides support in emergencies. The work takes place in a mobile environment, often with varying working hours such as early mornings, evenings, and weekends, which requires flexibility and good stress management.

Salary development over time

The salary for railway conductors has shown steady and positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,100 SEK per month, increasing to 34 300 SEK in 2023 and further to 35 300 SEK in 2024. This represents an increase of approximately 6.6% over three years. The salary increase reflects both annual adjustments in collective agreements and an increased demand for personnel in the railway sector. Employers have also had to offer slightly higher wages to compete for workforce, especially as the railway industry expands and modernizes. However, gender pay gaps persist, with women earning 97% of men's salaries, indicating some wage disparity within the profession.

Railway conductor salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 35 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 33,300 SEK/month (female, multiple sectors)
  • Highest salary: 36,700 SEK/month (male, private sector employee, post-secondary education of 3 years or more)
  • Hourly wage (average): 212 SEK/hour
  • Women’s salary as a percentage of men’s: 97%
  • Men’s average salary: 35 800 SEK/month
  • Women’s average salary: 34 800 SEK/month

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a railway conductor typically involves a high school diploma combined with specialized vocational training provided by the employer. Candidates often undergo internal training in safety, service, and regulations, as well as practical training onboard trains. Good communication skills and a service-oriented attitude are essential, and some employers may also require a criminal record check.

  • High school diploma: Usually with a focus on transport or service
  • Internal training with employer: 3–6 months
  • Onboard practice: Often included in the introductory program
  • Prerequisites: Good Swedish skills, sometimes English, and at least 18 years of age
  • Certifications: Safety training according to Transport Agency requirements

Railway conductors often play a central role in creating safety and comfort onboard. The ability to quickly build trust with passengers and handle unexpected situations is highly valued, especially on longer routes and during rush hours.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Railway conductors are often covered by collective agreements that grant rights to overtime pay, evening and weekend bonuses, and wellness allowances. Other common benefits include staff tickets, occupational pension, and opportunities for skills development through the employer. Work uniforms and protective equipment are always provided by the employer.

Competition and challenges

The competition for railway conductor positions varies between regions, but the industry generally has good access to job openings – currently, there are 395 advertised positions. At the same time, the profession faces challenges such as irregular working hours, working under pressure during busy traffic situations, and high service demands even in stressful situations. Digitalization and changing travel habits may influence demand in the future, but the need for reliable onboard staff remains. Limited opportunities for remote work mean physical presence and good health are essential.

Tips for aspiring railway conductors

To succeed as a railway conductor, it’s good to have a strong sense of service and patience when dealing with many different people. Stress resilience helps during traffic disruptions and unexpected situations where quick decisions are crucial. Flexibility is important since working hours often vary between early mornings, late evenings, and weekends. Good communication skills facilitate interactions with passengers and colleagues. Attention to detail and a sense of responsibility are vital during safety checks and when following instructions precisely. Showing initiative and being solution-oriented are appreciated by employers, especially when acting independently. Finally, it’s advantageous to be interested in continuously updating oneself on current regulations and routines within railway operations.

Key facts about Railway Conductor

  • Education level: High school diploma and internal training (3–6 months)
  • Work environment: Onboard trains, mobile and customer-facing
  • Work type: Shift work, irregular hours
  • Available jobs in the profession: 395
  • Gender distribution: Women earn 97% of men's salaries

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, there are opportunities to advance to onboard supervisor, instructor, or supervisory roles within railway operators. Some choose to further train as train drivers or specialize in safety and training. According to the Employment Service, no precise forecast exists for future prospects for railway conductors due to limited data, but the general demand in the transport sector remains stable, and the number of available positions indicates continued good employment opportunities. However, digitalization and new train types may change job content over time, making ongoing adaptation and further training important.

Frequently asked questions about Railway Conductor

  • What does a railway conductor earn?
    - The average salary for a railway conductor is 35 300 SEK per month.
  • What are the salary differences between men and women?
    - Men earn on average 35 800 SEK and women 34 800 SEK, which means women earn 97% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a railway conductor?
    - A high school diploma and internal training with the employer, often 3–6 months long, along with approved safety training.
  • Are there many job openings for railway conductors?
    - Yes, currently there are 395 available positions in the profession.
  • What is the work environment like for railway conductors?
    - The work is mobile and onboard trains, often involving shift work and contact with many passengers.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries in the profession?
    - The highest salary is 36,700 SEK (male, private sector employee), the lowest is 33,300 SEK (female, various sectors).
  • What personal qualities are important in this profession?
    - Service orientation, stress resilience, flexibility, and good communication skills are especially valued.
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Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Railway conductor is 36700 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 36400 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Railway conductor is 33300 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 34900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 27500 kr 31700 kr
25-34 99% 31300 kr 35500 kr
35-44 97% 32100 kr 35500 kr
45-54 98% 32200 kr 35900 kr
55-64 97% 32100 kr 35700 kr
65-68 32500 kr 36100 kr
Snitt 97% 31500 kr 35300 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 Railway conductor has the SSYK code 5112, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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