Image that illustrates County Council

County Council

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 County Council

Average salary 115 200 kr
Males 115 800 kr
Females 114 700 kr

What does a länsråd do? – Tasks and work environment

A länsråd is the highest-ranking civil servant after the governor at a County Administrative Board, acting as their closest collaborator and deputy. The länsråd is responsible for leading and coordinating the daily operations of the County Administrative Board, including strategic management, personnel leadership, and financial follow-up. The role requires close collaboration with internal managers and external stakeholders in government, municipalities, and business. The work environment is usually office-based but also involves travel and representation at meetings and events. Länsråd often work at a high pace and need to handle complex issues related to societal governance, environment, infrastructure, and crisis management.

Salary development over time

The salary of a länsråd has developed steadily and clearly positively over recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 102400 SEK per month, which increased to 109 000 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has further risen to 115 200 SEK per month. This represents a total increase of approximately 12.5% over three years, indicating a trend where the role has become more sought-after and valued. This development can partly be attributed to increased demands for leadership, greater responsibility in societal governance, and competition for qualified candidates. Skills and experience have also become more critical, reflected in the salary progression within the profession.

Complete overview of länsråd salaries

  • Average salary: 115 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 94,800 SEK/month (male, public sector, upper secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 175,300 SEK/month (male, municipal sector, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Highest salary (female): 166,900 SEK/month (post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Lowest salary (female): 108,400 SEK/month (public sector, upper secondary education)
  • Hourly wage (average): 693 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 99% of what men do (men 115 800 SEK, women 114 700 SEK)

Many länsråd have backgrounds in law or political science, but the role also requires a strong interest in societal development and leadership. Several länsråd have experience from both the public and private sectors, providing a broad understanding of different parts of society.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

To become a länsråd, an advanced academic degree is usually required, often in law, political science, or social sciences. Extensive leadership experience within public administration is generally a prerequisite, along with documented ability to lead organizations and handle complex cases. Internal management or leadership training programs are also common.

  • Formal degree: Law, political science, or social sciences (3–5 years)
  • Leadership certification: Examples include government leadership programs
  • Work experience: Several years of qualified leadership experience in the public sector
  • Internship/trainee: Previous managerial roles or project management
  • Prerequisites: Academic degree and experience in administrative authority

Common benefits and compensation

For länsråd, benefits often include occupational pension, extra vacation days, wellness allowance, and flexible working hours. In some cases, company cars, leadership development, and opportunities for skills-enhancing courses are also offered.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as länsråd is very high, as there are only a few such positions in each county. Recruitment is often through internal career paths or a careful selection process considering both formal competence and personal qualities. The role involves significant challenges, including balancing political demands with the authority's responsibilities and leading organizations through change. Managing media pressure and societal crises is also part of the daily work, demanding resilience and strong communication skills.

Tips for aspiring länsråd

To succeed as a länsråd, it is beneficial to have strong analytical skills and an interest in societal issues. Building broad leadership experience within the public sector provides understanding and credibility. Good communication skills are essential, as is the ability to make decisions under pressure and handle complex cases. It is also important to demonstrate integrity and act independently when necessary. Continuously developing your network and participating in relevant training increases the chances of qualifying for the role. Strategic thinking and the ability to collaborate with various societal actors are also key qualities for long-term success as a länsråd.

Key facts about Länsråd

  • Educational level: Academic degree (often law or political science, 3–5 years)
  • Work environment: Office-based, fast-paced, leadership role
  • Work form: Permanent employment, full-time
  • Demand: Few positions, high competition (175 job openings in the profession)
  • Special skills: Leadership, societal governance, crisis management

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a länsråd, career development can lead to senior management roles within government, such as director-general or governor. It is also possible to work as an advisor or investigator within the government offices, or take board positions in the public sector. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, demand for qualified managers in the public sector is expected to remain stable, although the number of positions is limited. The increasing complexity of societal governance and high leadership demands mean that the job market for länsråd remains highly selective and competitive.

Frequently asked questions about Länsråd

  • What does a Länsråd earn?
    - A länsråd has an average salary of 115 200 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in länsråd salaries?
    - Women earn on average 114 700 SEK, which is 99% of men's salary of 115 800 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a länsråd?
    - An academic degree in law, political science, or social sciences, along with extensive leadership experience within the public sector, is required.
  • How competitive are the positions?
    - The competition is very high, with relatively few positions and many qualified applicants.
  • What are the most common benefits for länsråd?
    - Common benefits include occupational pension, extra vacation days, wellness allowance, and professional development.
  • Are there regional salary differences for länsråd?
    - Salary differences may occur depending on sector and region, but variations are generally small at this level.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a länsråd?
    - Highest salary: 175 300 SEK (male), 166 900 SEK (female). Lowest salary: 94 800 SEK (male), 108 400 SEK (female).

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a County Council 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 County Council 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
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 County Council has the SSYK code 1112, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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* Updated with 2025 taxes