How much does a Municipal director make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Municipal director
Image that illustrates Municipal director

Municipal director

115 200 kr

General, county and municipal directors etc.

94 800 - 175 300 kr / month

Women earn 99% of what men do.

Chefer & ledare

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Municipal director

Average salary 115 200 kr
Males 115 800 kr
Females 114 700 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 3 Vacant jobs ->

What does a municipal director do? – Responsibilities and work environment

A municipal director has the ultimate responsibility for leading and coordinating the municipal administration. The role involves ensuring that political decisions are implemented effectively, that finances and operations are balanced, and that the municipality is run in accordance with applicable laws and guidelines. Tasks include strategic leadership, personnel management, budget work, and often representing the municipality publicly during major issues or crises. The work environment is primarily office-based, but also involves many meetings and a fast pace with significant communication both internally and externally.

Salary development over time

The salary for municipal directors has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 102,400 SEK per month. In 2023, it rose to 109 000 SEK, corresponding to an increase of about 6.4%. Between 2023 and 2024, the average salary increased further to 115 200 SEK per month, a rise of approximately 5.7%. This salary development reflects an increased demand for qualified leaders in the public sector, as well as the role becoming more complex with growing demands on leadership, change management, and societal responsibility. Competition for experienced candidates has also contributed to pushing up salary levels in the profession.

Municipal director salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 115 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (men): 94,800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (women): 108,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary (men): 175,300 SEK/month
  • Highest salary (women): 166,900 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 693 SEK
  • Gender difference: Women earn 99% of what men do
  • Regional differences: Salaries vary depending on the size and location of the municipality

Education and qualifications

To work as a municipal director, a university degree is usually required, often in social sciences, law, economics, or political science. Several years of experience in leadership positions within the public sector or business are generally a prerequisite. Many municipal directors also have supplementary education in leadership and organizational development.

  • Formal degree: Bachelor's or master's degree (3–5 years) in a relevant field
  • Leadership training: Certificates or courses in public administration and leadership
  • Experience: Several years of experience as a manager or leader, preferably within municipal operations
  • Prerequisites: Good understanding of the public sector and political processes
  • Tips for selection: Engagement in municipal projects or board work provides valuable insight

Many municipal directors have backgrounds in both the public and private sectors, giving them a unique breadth in their leadership. Understanding the differences between these worlds can be a crucial success factor in developing the municipality.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In addition to the base salary, the role of municipal director often includes benefits such as pension, extra vacation days, company car, health benefits, and sometimes bonuses or performance-based pay. Opportunities for professional development, wellness allowances, and flexible working hours are also common.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a municipal director is high, as the number of available positions is limited and requirements for experience and competence are extensive. Challenges in the profession often involve balancing political expectations, financial constraints, and personnel responsibilities. External changes, digitalization, and increased demands for transparency create additional pressure on the role. Handling difficult decisions, sometimes in the media spotlight, requires high integrity and stress resilience.

Tips for those who want to become a municipal director

To succeed as a municipal director, it is good to combine analytical ability with strong leadership and good communication skills. Building broad experience within the public sector and actively seeking managerial roles at different levels provides valuable insight into organizational complexity. Strategic thinking and decision-making under pressure are essential qualities, as is demonstrating integrity and perseverance in difficult situations. Networking within municipal and regional contexts can open doors to future leadership roles, and ongoing education in leadership and societal issues strengthens competitiveness. Finally, it is important to show humility regarding the demands of the political process and to be attentive to both employees and citizens.

Key facts about municipal directors

  • Educational level: University degree, often at master's level
  • Work environment: Office-based, fast-paced with many meetings
  • Work form: Full-time, often with availability outside office hours
  • Demand: Approximately 175 job openings in Sweden
  • Gender distribution: Nearly equal, women earn 99% of men's salaries

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a municipal director, opportunities open to apply for even larger leadership roles, such as regional director, general director of government agencies, or advisor and consultant within public administration. Many advance to leading positions within interest organizations or the private sector. Forecasts from the Employment Service show that the demand for experienced leaders in the public sector is expected to remain stable, especially due to retirements and increased societal development demands. Specialist competence in change management and digitalization is increasingly valued in the profession.

Frequently asked questions about municipal directors

  • What does a municipal director earn?
    - The average salary for a municipal director is 115 200 SEK per month.
  • What is the salary range for municipal directors?
    - The lowest salary is 94,800 SEK and the highest is 175,300 SEK per month.
  • Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
    - Women earn 99% of what men do in the role of municipal director.
  • What education is required to become a municipal director?
    - An academic degree, often in social sciences, economics, or law, plus several years of managerial experience are required.
  • What is the job market like for municipal directors?
    - There are approximately 175 job openings in Sweden.
  • What benefits are common for municipal directors?
    - Pension, extra vacation days, company car, and wellness allowances are common.
  • What are the main challenges in the profession?
    - Balancing political expectations, finances, personnel responsibilities, and managing change and media scrutiny.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 02:22:37

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Municipal director is 175300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 166900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Municipal director is 94800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 108400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
45-54 99% 107900 kr 109000 kr
55-64 100% 116900 kr 118300 kr
Snitt 99% 113800 kr 115200 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Municipal director has the SSYK code 1112, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
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11 738
Fees
12 129

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* Updated with 2025 taxes

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