Image that illustrates Prison Assistant

Prison Assistant

33 300 kr

Correctional officers

30 400 - 34 700 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Säkerhetsarbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Prison Assistant

Average salary 33 300 kr
Males 33 700 kr
Females 32 900 kr

What does a Kriminalvårdsassistent do? – Tasks and work environment

A Kriminalvårdsassistent plays a central role in Swedish criminal justice and primarily works at prisons, detention centers, or probation offices. Tasks include supervision, security, and support for inmates, involving both monitoring and relationship-building efforts. Daily work includes ensuring routines are followed, conducting searches and transports, managing conflicts, and creating a safe environment for both inmates and colleagues. The work requires on-site presence and often involves shift work, including evenings, nights, and weekends. The environment can sometimes be demanding but also enriching, as it involves extensive contact with people in vulnerable situations.

Salary development over time

Wages for Kriminalvårdsassistenter have shown a clear increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 29,300 SEK per month, increasing to 30 300 SEK in 2023, which represents an increase of just over 3%. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 33 300 SEK, marking a nearly 10% increase compared to two years earlier. This positive trend can partly be explained by increased demand for trained personnel and a general push for better working conditions within the criminal justice system. Additionally, gender equality efforts have reduced salary gaps between women and men, although some differences still remain. Overall, the trend is upward, making the profession increasingly attractive from a salary perspective.

Kriminalvårdsassistent salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 33 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 30,400 SEK/month (men), 31,000 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 34,700 SEK/month (men), 33,200 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 200 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 98% of what men do
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a Kriminalvårdsassistent, one generally needs to complete Kriminalvården's basic training, which combines theory and practical training over approximately one year. The training is offered by the employer and covers security, law, conflict management, and communication. Prior work experience in similar environments, such as healthcare, social work, or security, is often advantageous. Besides formal requirements, personal suitability and social skills are highly valued.

  • Basic training: Kriminalvården's basic training (about 1 year, paid by the employer)
  • Internships/trainee periods: Included in the training
  • Prerequisites: Complete upper secondary education and Swedish citizenship
  • Certifications: Some courses in conflict management and security may be required
  • Tips for applicants: Experience from social work or security is advantageous

Kriminalvårdsassistenter often work in teams where cooperation and communication are crucial for both safety and the work environment. The ability to adapt quickly to unexpected situations while maintaining composure is a skill that develops with experience. Few other professions offer such direct insight into societal social challenges and the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Kriminalvårdsassistenter are often offered benefits such as shift allowances for evening and weekend work, wellness grants, occupational pension, and paid further education. Other common compensations include extra vacation days and opportunities for professional development within the employment.

Challenges and competition

The job market for Kriminalvårdsassistenter is characterized by stable demand and relatively low competition, as reflected in the number of available positions. Currently, there are 191 vacancies in the profession. Challenges in the role mainly relate to the work environment, where threats and psychological stress can occur. High demands are placed on resilience, empathy, and conflict management skills. The recruitment situation is also influenced by the fact that not everyone applies for these roles, which emphasizes the importance of personal qualities and solid training.

Tips for aspiring Kriminalvårdsassistent

To succeed as a Kriminalvårdsassistent, it helps to have a strong sense of responsibility and a genuine interest in people. Developing good communication skills facilitates interactions with colleagues and inmates, and practicing staying calm in stressful situations is valuable. Flexibility and adaptability are important, as the work environment can change quickly and unexpected events are common. Building patience and empathetic abilities is beneficial, as many situations require respectful and attentive responses. Gaining experience through part-time jobs or internships in social work or security can provide a solid foundation for the training. Lastly, taking care of one's health and recovery is crucial, as the work can be mentally and physically demanding.

Key facts about Kriminalvårdsassistent

  • Education level: Complete upper secondary education + employer-led basic training (1 year)
  • Work environment: Shift work at prison, detention, or probation
  • Work form: Full-time, often shifts and irregular hours
  • Demand: 191 available jobs in the profession
  • Special skills: Conflict management and security procedures

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, opportunities open for roles such as supervisor, team leader, or trainer within Kriminalvården. Some choose to further their education to become a criminal justice officer with specific responsibilities, such as security or program management. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, there is no precise forecast for Kriminalvårdsassistenter, but the stable demand and large number of vacancies indicate good future prospects. The experience gained can also be valuable in other societal roles, such as police or social worker.

Frequently asked questions about Kriminalvårdsassistent

  • What is the average salary of a Kriminalvårdsassistent?
    - The average salary is 33 300 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • What education is required to become a Kriminalvårdsassistent?
    - Complete upper secondary education and basic training provided by Kriminalvården are required.
  • What is the state of the job market?
    - The job market is stable with 191 available positions.
  • What is the hourly wage for a Kriminalvårdsassistent?
    - The hourly wage is 200 SEK.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries?
    - The highest salary is 34,700 SEK (men) and 33,200 SEK (women), while the lowest is 30,400 SEK (men) and 31,000 SEK (women).

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Prison Assistant is 34700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 33200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Prison Assistant is 30400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 31000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 29400 kr 31800 kr
25-34 99% 30800 kr 32600 kr
35-44 98% 31800 kr 33600 kr
45-54 98% 32700 kr 34400 kr
55-64 99% 32900 kr 34600 kr
65-68 29800 kr 31600 kr
Snitt 98% 31500 kr 33300 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 Prison Assistant has the SSYK code 5412, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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