- Salary statistics
- Criminologist salary
Criminologist salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
41 500 - 52 700 SEK / month
Women earn 96% of what men do.
Administration, ekonomi
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Salary progression Criminologist
What does a criminologist do? – Tasks and work environment
Criminologists work with studying the causes, structures, and consequences of crime in society. Tasks may include analyzing crime statistics, evaluating criminal policy initiatives, conducting research on crime prevention, as well as teaching and advising authorities. Many criminologists are employed in the public sector, such as at universities, government agencies, or within the police, but assignments in private analysis firms and non-profit organizations also occur. The work environment often involves office work, extensive data collection, and analytical tasks, but can also include field studies and collaboration with other societal actors.
Salary development over time
The salary for criminologists has shown a steady upward trend over recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK per month, which increased to 46 000 in 2023 and further to 46 700 in 2024. This development corresponds to an increase of approximately 7% over three years. A larger salary increase can partly be explained by increased demand for qualified expertise in crime analysis and criminal policy, as well as the growing need for evidence-based interventions within the justice system. Regional and employer differences occur, with metropolitan areas and government agencies often offering slightly higher salaries than smaller towns and private sector employers.
Criminologist salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 46 700 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 41,100 SEK/month (men), 42,000 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 52,100 SEK/month (men), 50,700 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 277 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 96% of what men do (47 500 SEK/month for men, 45 900 SEK/month for women)
- Regional differences: Metropolitan regions and government employers tend to offer higher salaries
Education and qualifications
To work as a criminologist, a university degree in criminology, sociology, or related fields is usually required. Basic eligibility often includes a bachelor's degree, but employers may also require a master's or postgraduate degree for more qualified positions. Practical experience, such as internships or project work, is advantageous and can provide an edge in employment.
- Bachelor's degree: Criminology, sociology, or similar (3 years)
- Master's/Postgraduate: Specialization in criminology (1–2 years beyond bachelor's)
- Internships: Often included in educational programs
- Prerequisites: Basic university eligibility
- Additional courses: Statistics, law, or psychology can be advantageous
A growing area within criminology is digital crime, where knowledge of cybersecurity and IT forensics is becoming increasingly valuable. Those combining criminological expertise with technical understanding have good opportunities for specialization and development within the profession.
Common benefits and compensations
Criminologists are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness contributions, flexible working hours, and opportunities for skill development. In some cases, additional vacation days, remote work, and subsidized lunches are available, especially within larger authorities and organizations.
Competition and challenges
The job market for criminologists is characterized by some competition, particularly for attractive positions within research and government agencies. The number of qualified graduates is increasing, while specialized experience and the ability to interpret complex statistics are in demand. Challenges include staying updated on new crime trends and methodologies, as well as communicating scientific findings clearly to decision-makers and the public. Developing niche skills or experience in project management and evaluation can be advantageous for those seeking to stand out.
Tips for aspiring criminologists
To succeed as a criminologist, it’s good to combine analytical ability with a strong sense of ethics and societal engagement. Building a broad knowledge base in statistics, law, and social sciences facilitates interpretation of crime data and understanding complex relationships. Curiosity and critical thinking are essential qualities that aid in evaluating research results and developing new methods. Gaining practical experience through internships and actively networking with professionals in the field enhances employability. Being communicative and pedagogical helps collaboration with authorities and ensures research findings influence society. Finally, flexibility and adaptability are strengths, as tasks can vary greatly between employers and projects.
Key facts about criminologists
- Education level: Bachelor's degree or higher in criminology or related fields
- Work environment: Office-based, often with research and analysis focus
- Demand: 758 job openings identified within the profession
- Typical employment: Full-time in the public sector, but private and non-profit employers also exist
- Special skills: Statistics, digital crime, and project management are advantageous
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a criminologist can advance to roles such as investigator, project manager, or research coordinator within government agencies, universities, or larger organizations. Specializations in areas like digital crime, forensic psychology, or crime prevention open further career opportunities. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the demand for qualified criminologists remains good, with 758 job openings identified in the latest survey. The future outlook is considered stable, especially for those who continuously update their skills and can combine criminological knowledge with other in-demand competencies.
Common questions about criminologists
- What does a criminologist earn?
- A criminologist has an average salary of 46 700 SEK per month. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 96% of what men do in the profession. - What education is required to become a criminologist?
- At least a bachelor's degree in criminology or a related field is required, often supplemented with courses in statistics or law. - Which workplaces hire criminologists?
- Common employers include government agencies, universities, the police, and private analysis firms. - What are the future prospects for the profession?
- Demand is stable with many available positions, especially for specialized skills. - What is the highest and lowest salary for a criminologist?
- The highest salary is 52,100 SEK per month and the lowest is 41,100 SEK per month, depending on experience, education, and sector.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39100 kr | 39200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 103% | 46700 kr | 46800 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 48200 kr | 48200 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 48700 kr | 48700 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 46600 kr | 46700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40200 kr | 40400 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47700 kr | 47800 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50200 kr | 50200 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 50800 kr | 50800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 53000 kr | 53000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48100 kr | 48200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40200 kr | 40400 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47700 kr | 47800 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50200 kr | 50200 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 50800 kr | 50800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 53000 kr | 53000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48100 kr | 48200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 44800 kr | 44800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 44800 kr | 44800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 103% | 46000 kr | 46100 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 48700 kr | 48700 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 50900 kr | 50900 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 47500 kr | 47500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 39500 kr | 39600 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47500 kr | 47600 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50300 kr | 50400 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 51900 kr | 52000 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 54400 kr | 54400 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48500 kr | 48500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 39500 kr | 39600 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47500 kr | 47600 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50300 kr | 50400 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 51900 kr | 52000 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 54400 kr | 54400 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48500 kr | 48500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 103% | 47200 kr | 47300 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 47600 kr | 47700 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 45800 kr | 45900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40700 kr | 40900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47800 kr | 47900 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50000 kr | 50000 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 49800 kr | 49800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 50600 kr | 50600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 47900 kr | 47900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40700 kr | 40900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47800 kr | 47900 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50000 kr | 50000 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 49800 kr | 49800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 50600 kr | 50600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 47900 kr | 47900 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 Criminologist has the SSYK code 2623, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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