- Salary statistics
- Cabinet Secretary salary
Cabinet Secretary salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
96 100 - 168 300 SEK / month
Women earn 99% of what men do.
Chefer & ledare
Related tools
Salary progression Cabinet Secretary
What does a Cabinet Secretary do? – Tasks and Work Environment
A Cabinet Secretary functions as the highest-ranking civil servant at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and plays a central role in Sweden's diplomatic service. Tasks include leading and coordinating the department's work, overseeing daily operations, and assisting the Foreign Minister with strategic issues and international relations. The role also involves representing Sweden in important international contexts, participating in negotiations, and handling sensitive diplomatic matters. The work environment is distinctly office-based, fast-paced, with many meetings and high demands for integrity and discretion.
Salary Development Over Time
Cabinet Secretaries have seen a steady increase in salary over recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 102,400 SEK per month, which increased to 115 200 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary is 119 600 SEK, representing a salary growth of approximately 12.5% over three years. This positive trend can largely be explained by increasing responsibilities and the growing complexity of international work, as well as an overall strengthening of leadership salaries within the public sector. The demand for experienced leaders with deep diplomatic and legal expertise has also contributed to salary increases. The salary development for Cabinet Secretaries is thus stronger than the average for similar managerial positions in the public sector.
Cabinet Secretary Salary – Complete Overview
- Average Salary: 119 600 SEK/month
- Lowest Salary: 94,800 SEK/month (men), 108,400 SEK/month (women)
- Highest Salary: 175,300 SEK/month (men), 166,900 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly Wage: 693 SEK
- Gender Pay Gap: Women earn 99% of what men do (men: 120 500 SEK, women: 118 800 SEK)
- Regional Differences: Salary levels may vary slightly depending on location, but the position is generally based nationwide with a focus on Stockholm.
Education and Qualifications
The path to becoming a Cabinet Secretary is long and requires extensive education and many years of experience within public administration, diplomacy, or law. An academic degree is a basic requirement, often complemented by further training and high-level leadership experience. International experience and the ability to handle complex issues at the state level are particularly meritorious.
- Formal Degree: Law degree, political science, or equivalent education (at least 4 years)
- Further Education: Leadership courses, diplomatic training, international law
- Internship/Traineeship: Experience from diplomatic services or senior roles within the public sector
- Prerequisites: Documented leadership experience and good language skills, especially in English and French
- Tips for Selection: Engage early in international issues and seek internships within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or international organizations
Many Cabinet Secretaries have international experience, often as ambassadors or in other diplomatic roles. The international aspect of the profession makes language skills and cultural understanding crucial for success.
Common Benefits and Allowances
Cabinet Secretaries typically have access to benefits such as extra vacation days, opportunities for wellness allowances, occupational pension, and insurance. In many cases, representation, travel, and further training are included as part of the position. Compensation for overtime or on-call duties occurs less frequently as the role is based on trust.
Competition and Challenges
The competition for the position of Cabinet Secretary is very fierce, as there are few positions and the requirements for experience and education are very high. The role involves quickly managing changing political conditions and working under significant pressure, sometimes with sensitive or classified matters. Challenges may also include high expectations for strategic leadership and the ability to communicate with various stakeholders both nationally and internationally. Success requires a combination of expert knowledge, social skills, and decision-making ability under time pressure.
Tips for Aspiring Cabinet Secretaries
To succeed as a Cabinet Secretary, it is beneficial to combine analytical ability with strong leadership and high diplomatic skill. Early engagement in international issues and political organizations can provide valuable experience, while good language skills open doors to more opportunities. Building a broad network within both the public and international sectors is crucial for reaching top positions. Precision and integrity are essential, especially when handling sensitive tasks and confidential information. Continuing education and staying updated on global events also enhance competitiveness. Persistence and resilience are personal qualities often highlighted as crucial for thriving and developing in this leadership role.
Key Facts about Cabinet Secretaries
- Education Level: Academic degree (law, political science, or equivalent)
- Work Environment: Office-based, often located in Stockholm
- Typical Working Arrangement: Full-time, trust-based working hours
- Demand: 175 available jobs within the profession (2024)
- Special Skills: Diplomacy, international law, and leadership
Career Paths and Future Outlook
After three to five years as a Cabinet Secretary, opportunities open for even higher managerial roles within the state, such as ambassador, director-general, or other senior positions within the Government Offices. Experience from the role is highly valued internationally, which can lead to assignments within the EU, UN, or other international organizations. Forecasts from the Employment Service show that competition for these top positions remains very tough, but demand for qualified leaders in public administration remains stable. The strong salary development and the increasing number of advertised positions in the profession indicate good future prospects for individuals with the right profile and experience.
Common Questions about Cabinet Secretaries
- What does a Cabinet Secretary earn?
- The average salary is 119 600 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience and sector. - Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
- Yes, women earn 99% of what men do within the profession. - What education is required to become a Cabinet Secretary?
- An academic degree in law or political science and experience in leadership and diplomacy are required. - What is the work environment like?
- The work environment is office-based, often fast-paced with high demands for discretion. - What are the biggest challenges of the profession?
- Handling complex international issues and working under time pressure are some of the major challenges. - What are the future prospects?
- The outlook is good for individuals with the right profile and experience, but competition is fierce. - What is the highest and lowest salary for a Cabinet Secretary?
- The highest reported salary is 175 300 SEK and the lowest 94 800 SEK per month.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 102% | 113100 kr | 114500 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 120700 kr | 122300 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 117900 kr | 119600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 89% | 105200 kr | 108200 kr |
| 45-54 | 102% | 113200 kr | 114500 kr |
| 55-64 | 99% | 121800 kr | 123500 kr |
| 65-68 | 100% | 123100 kr | 127400 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 118500 kr | 120300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 96% | 114100 kr | 115600 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 124000 kr | 126300 kr |
| 65-68 | 103% | 120500 kr | 124900 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 120800 kr | 123200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 90% | 104400 kr | 107400 kr |
| 45-54 | 103% | 109700 kr | 110700 kr |
| 55-64 | 101% | 115200 kr | 116000 kr |
| 65-68 | 105% | 121600 kr | 125400 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 112500 kr | 113600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 158500 kr | 161100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 97% | 159000 kr | 160400 kr |
| 65-68 | 170100 kr | 174100 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 160000 kr | 162100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 102% | 111700 kr | 113300 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 122000 kr | 123700 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 118500 kr | 120500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 89% | 108500 kr | 113800 kr |
| 45-54 | 102% | 111700 kr | 113100 kr |
| 55-64 | 99% | 122200 kr | 123900 kr |
| 65-68 | 100% | 123900 kr | 127500 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 118600 kr | 120600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 96% | 116500 kr | 117700 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 124400 kr | 126600 kr |
| 65-68 | 103% | 120500 kr | 123500 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 121700 kr | 123800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 90% | 107300 kr | 113200 kr |
| 45-54 | 103% | 107300 kr | 108800 kr |
| 55-64 | 101% | 114500 kr | 115500 kr |
| 65-68 | 105% | 118600 kr | 123800 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 111500 kr | 113400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 97% | 160600 kr | 162400 kr |
| 65-68 | 170100 kr | 174100 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 161700 kr | 163800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 102% | 114400 kr | 115600 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 119500 kr | 120900 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 117200 kr | 118800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 89% | 101200 kr | 101300 kr |
| 45-54 | 102% | 114700 kr | 115800 kr |
| 55-64 | 99% | 121500 kr | 123000 kr |
| 65-68 | 100% | 121700 kr | 127400 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 118400 kr | 120000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 96% | 111700 kr | 113500 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 123700 kr | 126000 kr |
| 65-68 | 103% | 120500 kr | 127000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 120000 kr | 122600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 90% | 101200 kr | 101300 kr |
| 45-54 | 103% | 112000 kr | 112500 kr |
| 55-64 | 101% | 116000 kr | 116500 kr |
| 65-68 | 105% | 129600 kr | 129600 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 113400 kr | 113900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 160000 kr | 162900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 97% | 156000 kr | 156900 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 158200 kr | 160200 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 Cabinet Secretary has the SSYK code 1112, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
-
University Director at Malmö University
General, county and municipal directors etc.
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 00:25 -
Municipal Manager for Lysekil Municipality
General, county and municipal directors etc.
Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 23:35 -
Municipal Director for Lysekil Municipality
General, county and municipal directors etc.
Fri, 19 Jun 2026 - 00:25 -
Director of the Polar Research Secretariat
General, county and municipal directors etc.
Thu, 18 Jun 2026 - 23:55 -
Director for Property and Investment South
General, county and municipal directors etc.
Thu, 18 Jun 2026 - 12:11
Compare salary, work tasks and job outlook in adjacent occupations to find roles with similar skills or pay levels.
-
Average salary: 91 800 SEK/month • Chefer & ledare
Chief executive officers etc.
Compare with Cabinet Secretary
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:53 -
Average salary: 74 600 SEK/month • Chefer & ledare
Administrative and planning managers
Compare with Cabinet Secretary
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 08:49 -
Average salary: 58 000 SEK/month • Chefer & ledare
Managers in forestry and agriculture etc.
Compare with Cabinet Secretary
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 08:10 -
Average salary: 70 000 SEK/month • Chefer & ledare
Managers and leaders in religious communities
Compare with Cabinet Secretary
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 01:46 -
Business Freedom Ombudsman salary
Average salary: 119 600 SEK/month • Chefer & ledare
General, county and municipal directors etc.
Compare with Cabinet Secretary
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 08:11 -
Average salary: 119 600 SEK/month • Chefer & ledare
General, county and municipal directors etc.
Compare with Cabinet Secretary
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:54
