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What does a legal clerk do? – Tasks and work environment

A legal clerk mainly works with qualified legal advice and legal investigations within public administration or larger organizations. The tasks include preparing opinions, reviewing and interpreting legal texts, and ensuring that operations comply with applicable laws and regulations. The legal clerk often functions as support to management and decision-makers, responsible for developing decision bases and can participate in negotiations or referral processes. The work environment is usually office-based, characterized by a fast pace, high accuracy, and a requirement for integrity, where collaboration with other lawyers and specialists is common.

Salary development over time

The salary for legal clerks has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 55,300 SEK per month, increasing to 57 000 SEK in 2023 and further to 60 800 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total salary increase of approximately 10% over the period. The positive trend can be explained by increased demand for legal expertise within the public sector, higher requirements for specialization, and competition for qualified lawyers. Continued digitalization and legislative changes have also contributed to the legal clerk's role becoming more complex and thus more highly valued in the job market.

Legal clerk salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 60 800 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 49,300 SEK/month (female, private sector employee, high school education)
• Highest salary: 76,400 SEK/month (male, private sector employee, postgraduate education)
• Hourly wage (average): 366 SEK
• Gender gap: Women earn 89% of what men do (men 65 400 SEK, women 58 300 SEK)
• Regional differences: Data varies depending on place of work and employer

Education and qualifications

To work as a legal clerk, a law degree is generally required, which involves at least four and a half years of university studies. Many employers also seek experience from public administration or similar qualified legal work. Internships or trainee positions during studies can be advantageous, as can specialization in areas such as administrative law or labor law.

• Formal degree: Law degree (4.5 years)
• Internship: Recommended during studies
• Specialized courses: Administrative law, labor law, public law
• Prerequisites: Eligibility for law programs (high school diploma with university eligibility)
• Tips: Engage in student associations or take part-time jobs in law to build a network

Common benefits and compensations

Common benefits for legal clerks include pension schemes, wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote work. Many employers also offer skills development, subsidized lunches, and health insurances. For legal clerks in the public sector, secure employment and generous vacation conditions are often standard parts of the employment package.

Competition and challenges

Competition for positions as a legal clerk can be significant, especially at larger authorities and in attractive geographic areas. The job market is affected by legislative changes, digitalization, and the streamlining of administrative processes, which require continuous skills development. Challenges in the role may include handling complex legal issues, rapid changes, and high pace. At the same time, high integrity and the ability to balance legal precision with practical solutions are required. The limited number of positions in certain specialized areas can also mean that extra effort is needed to stand out during recruitment.

Tips for those who want to become a legal clerk

To succeed as a legal clerk, it is good to combine analytical ability with a careful and structured working method. Developing strong communication skills is important, as the role often involves explaining legal issues to people without a legal background. Being solution-oriented and maintaining integrity helps when difficult trade-offs need to be made under pressure. Building your network early through internships or part-time jobs is also beneficial, as experience and references are often highly valued during recruitment. Engagement in societal issues and a willingness to learn continuously are also qualities appreciated by employers in both the public and private sectors.

Key facts about legal clerks

• Education level: Law degree (4.5 years)
• Work environment: Office-based, often within the public sector
• Typical work form: Full-time, daytime
• Demand: 758 available jobs within the profession of administrative and organizational lawyers
• Special knowledge: Administrative law, public law, legal interpretation

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a legal clerk, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as senior lawyer, administrative manager, or specialist within a specific legal area. Some choose to move on to expert roles in ministries, courts, or international organizations. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, there is no precise assessment for the legal clerk profession, as it is part of a broader occupational group. However, the availability of 758 vacancies indicates that demand remains stable, especially within the public sector and larger organizations. Long-term, there is expected to be an ongoing need for qualified lawyers who can interpret and apply laws in an increasingly complex societal structure.

Common questions about legal clerks

• What does a legal clerk earn?
  - A legal clerk has an average salary of 60 800 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience, gender, and employer.
• Are there large salary differences between men and women?
  - Yes, women earn on average 89% of what men do within the profession.
• What education is required to become a legal clerk?
  - A law degree (4.5 years) is a basic requirement, often supplemented with internships or specialized courses.
• What is the job market like for legal clerks?
  - The job market is relatively stable with 758 available jobs, but competition can be high depending on the area.
• What tasks does a legal clerk have?
  - Tasks include legal advice, legal investigations, and preparing decision bases for management and authorities.
• What benefits are common for legal clerks?
  - Pension schemes, wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and skills development are common benefits.
• What are the career prospects?
  - After some experience, there are opportunities to advance to senior lawyer, administrative manager, or specialist roles.