- Salary statistics
- Cardinal
Cardinal
65 600 - 69 100 kr / month
Women earn 95% of what men do.
Chefer & ledare
Salary progression Cardinal
What does a cardinal do? – Tasks and work environment
A cardinal is a high-ranking leader within the Catholic Church and belongs to the professional group of managers and leaders within religious communities. The job responsibilities include spiritual and administrative leadership, advising the pope, participating in important church councils, and being responsible for larger church regions or functions. Daily tasks also include managing church assets, leading services and ceremonies, and representing the church in official contexts. The work environment is often international, involving travel and meetings in the Vatican, but also characterized by structure, tradition, and high demands on integrity and discretion.
Salary development over time
The salary of a cardinal has developed steadily over recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 63,100 SEK per month, increasing to 66 700 SEK in 2023, which corresponds to an increase of about 5.7%. For 2024, the salary has continued to rise to 67 600 SEK, a more modest increase of approximately 1.3% from the previous year. This trend reflects a continued high demand for experienced leadership within religious communities but also a slowdown in salary growth. Salary development is mainly influenced by the high responsibility of the profession, the limited availability of qualified candidates, and the fact that the role is strongly tied to tradition and experience rather than rapid market changes.
Cardinal salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 67 600 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 65,600 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 69,100 SEK/month
- Hourly wage: 407 SEK
- Women: 65,600 SEK/month (95% of men's salary)
- Men: 69,100 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Data not available
Education and qualifications
The path to becoming a cardinal is long and requires both extensive theological education and many years of experience within the church hierarchy. Formal requirements include a degree in theology or canon law, often complemented by further training and practical experience within church functions. In addition to academic merits, documented leadership ability, deep spiritual grounding, and good language skills—especially in Latin and Italian—are crucial.
- Theology degree: University studies, at least 5 years
- Further education: Canon law or equivalent specialization
- Practical experience: Priesthood and leadership roles within the church
- Prerequisites: Ordination and several years of service
- Language skills: Latin, Italian, and English
Becoming a cardinal involves not only a spiritual leadership role but also responsibility for international relations and diplomacy. Many cardinals participate in global discussions on ethics, social issues, and human rights, making the profession both influential and complex.
Common benefits and compensations
In addition to the base salary, benefits for cardinals often include housing in church properties, travel stipends, special pension conditions, and sometimes access to private transportation. Additional perks may include representation allowances and access to exclusive networks within and outside the church. The compensation package is often tailored to the high responsibility and international demands of the role.
Competition and challenges
The competition to become a cardinal is exceptionally fierce, as the number of positions is very limited and appointments are made through careful selection within the church hierarchy. Challenges include navigating complex power structures, handling issues of global importance, and maintaining high integrity under intense public scrutiny. The role also requires continuous education and adaptation to both ecclesiastical and societal changes. Another challenge is balancing tradition and renewal in an institution with strong historical roots.
Tips for those who want to become a cardinal
To succeed as a cardinal, it’s important to develop deep theological competence and demonstrate strong leadership qualities in every task. Good judgment and high integrity are essential to gain trust among colleagues and congregation members. It is also crucial to be communicative and attentive, especially in international contexts where diplomatic skills are needed. Persistence and engagement in the church’s work are necessary, as the path to becoming a cardinal is often long and demanding. Flexibility and openness to new perspectives facilitate meeting both ecclesiastical and societal challenges. Building networks and continuing education in theology and leadership increase the chances of being noticed for higher roles. Finally, humility is a key trait, as the role involves great responsibility before both God and people.
Key facts about a cardinal
- Education level: Theology degree and further education
- Work environment: International and ceremonial, often in the Vatican
- Typical work arrangement: Full-time, permanent
- Demand: Very limited number of positions
- Special skills: Leadership, diplomacy, theology
Career paths and future prospects
After 3–5 years as a cardinal, there are opportunities for even higher responsibilities, such as leading important church congregations or advising with specific mandates within the Vatican. In some cases, cardinals are appointed as papal candidates or assigned responsibility for larger regions within the church. According to the Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) and our own database, there are 175 job openings in the management and leadership within religious communities, indicating that competition is fierce and the number of available positions is very limited. Future prospects are influenced by retirements and the church’s internal need for renewal and leadership.
Common questions about a cardinal
- What does a cardinal earn?
- A cardinal has an average salary of 67 600 SEK per month. - What is the highest salary for a cardinal?
- The highest salary is 69,100 SEK per month and applies to a male private employee. - What is the lowest salary for a cardinal?
- The lowest salary is 65,600 SEK per month and applies to a woman in various sectors. - How does one become a cardinal?
- A theological degree, extensive service, and appointment by the pope are required. - Are there gender differences in salary for cardinals?
- Yes, women earn 95% of what men do in the profession. - What are the future prospects for cardinals?
- The number of positions is very limited, but there are approximately 175 job openings in the profession. - What education is required to become a cardinal?
- A degree in theology, further education, and several years of experience within the church are required.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 66400 kr | 67600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 66400 kr | 67600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 66400 kr | 67600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 67900 kr | 69100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 67900 kr | 69100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 67900 kr | 69100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 64400 kr | 65600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 64400 kr | 65600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 64400 kr | 65600 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 Cardinal has the SSYK code 1540, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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