- Salary statistics
- Alarm operator
Alarm operator
32 900 - 34 600 kr / month
Women earn 96% of what men do.
Säkerhetsarbete
Salary progression Alarm operator
What does an alarm operator do? – Tasks and work environment
Alarm operators play a crucial role in the security and surveillance industry. The profession involves receiving, assessing, and managing incoming alarms via telephone, radio, or digital systems. An alarm operator often works in shifts and must quickly make decisions, prioritize cases, and coordinate resources such as police, ambulance, or rescue services. The work environment is high-pressure and requires concentration, stress tolerance, and good teamwork skills, as responses sometimes need to be coordinated under stressful conditions. Alarm operators are active at alarm centers, with private security companies, or within SOS Alarm, and the work is usually performed in an office environment with advanced technical equipment.
Salary development over time
The salary for alarm operators has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,000 SEK per month, rising to 32 800 SEK in 2023, and further up to 33 700 SEK in 2024. This represents a total salary increase of approximately 8.7% over the period. The development reflects both an increased demand for qualified operators and a general salary pressure within the security industry. Despite relatively stable future prospects and a balanced job market, salaries have increased as job responsibilities have become more complex and technologically demanding. Gender differences remain but have decreased somewhat recently.
Alarm operator salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 33 700 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 32,900 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 34,600 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 203 SEK
- Men (average): 34,600 SEK/month
- Women (average): 33 300 SEK/month
- Women’s salary as % of men’s: 96 %
Education and qualifications
To work as an alarm operator, a high school diploma is usually required, preferably with a focus on security or social services. Many employers offer internal training and internships, and good computer skills as well as fluency in Swedish and English are common requirements. Some employers also prioritize personal suitability and value experience from other service roles or similar positions.
- High school diploma: Usually from social studies, technical, or security programs
- Internal training: Often mandatory with the employer (about 4–8 weeks)
- Internship/trainee: Occurs, especially at larger alarm centers
- Good computer skills: Basic requirement for employment
- Language skills: Swedish and English in speech and writing
An alarm operator can often work remotely or from different locations, as many alarm centers are national and digitally connected. This opens up flexibility and variety in working life, while also demanding high self-leadership and discipline.
Common benefits and compensations
Alarm operators are often covered by collective agreements that ensure occupational pension, evening and weekend shift allowances, and overtime compensation. Many employers also offer wellness contributions, insurance, and opportunities for professional development within the field. Some alarm centers have access to employee support and health care to handle the psychological stress that can arise in the profession.
Challenges and competition
The job market for alarm operators is characterized by balance, with a moderate number of available positions and relatively stable demand. The main challenges involve managing stress and making quick decisions under time pressure, as well as continuously adapting to new technology and digital tools. Since the role requires high availability and often shift work, it can be difficult to combine with certain family situations. Competition for positions is moderate, but personal suitability and experience can weigh heavily in recruitment.
Tips for those who want to become alarm operators
To succeed as an alarm operator, it is good to be stress-resistant and able to stay calm even when the pace is high. Communication skills are crucial, so practicing clear and structured communication is recommended. Having good technical understanding and quickly familiarizing oneself with new systems facilitates the transition into working life. It is also wise to practice prioritization and quick decision-making, as the work often requires multitasking. Precision and service-mindedness are important qualities, especially when handling sensitive situations professionally. Being flexible and able to work shifts is also an advantage, as workload can vary throughout the day and night.
Key facts about alarm operators
- Education level: High school diploma with internal training
- Work environment: Shift work in technical office environment
- Demand: Moderate, 191 registered job openings
- Gender distribution: Women earn 96 % of men's salaries
- Special skills: Quick decision-making and stress tolerance
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as an alarm operator, there are opportunities to advance to supervisory roles, trainers, or specialists within security and crisis management. Some choose to further their education towards roles such as security coordinator or work within other parts of rescue services and surveillance. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast for SOS operators and similar roles, the job market is expected to remain balanced with moderate opportunities for employment. In five years, demand is expected to be unchanged, implying stability but also some competition for positions. Technological development may open new tasks and requirements for further training in digital tools.
Common questions about alarm operators
- What is the average salary for an alarm operator?
- An alarm operator has an average monthly salary of 33 700. - What education is required to become an alarm operator?
- High school education and internal training with the employer are usually sufficient. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn approximately 96 % of what men do in the profession. - What is the job market like for alarm operators?
- Demand is moderate and the job market is considered balanced nationwide. - How much does an alarm operator earn per hour?
- A part-time alarm operator earns on average 203 SEK per hour. - What are the working hours for an alarm operator?
- Shift work is common, with evening, night, and weekend shifts. - Are there career paths within the profession?
- Yes, opportunities exist for supervisory roles and specialization within security.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27500 kr | 32000 kr | |
| 25-34 | 95% | 29300 kr | 33300 kr |
| 35-44 | 30500 kr | 34600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 30600 kr | 34900 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 29500 kr | 33700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27500 kr | 32000 kr | |
| 25-34 | 95% | 29300 kr | 33300 kr |
| 35-44 | 30500 kr | 34600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 30600 kr | 34900 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 29500 kr | 33700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27500 kr | 32000 kr | |
| 25-34 | 95% | 29300 kr | 33300 kr |
| 35-44 | 30500 kr | 34600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 30600 kr | 34900 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 29500 kr | 33700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 30300 kr | 34600 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 30500 kr | 34600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 30300 kr | 34600 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 30500 kr | 34600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 30300 kr | 34600 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 30500 kr | 34600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27000 kr | 31800 kr | |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28800 kr | 32700 kr |
| 35-44 | 30200 kr | 34300 kr | |
| 45-54 | 30300 kr | 34700 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 29100 kr | 33300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27000 kr | 31800 kr | |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28800 kr | 32700 kr |
| 35-44 | 30200 kr | 34300 kr | |
| 45-54 | 30300 kr | 34700 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 29100 kr | 33300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27000 kr | 31800 kr | |
| 25-34 | 95% | 28800 kr | 32700 kr |
| 35-44 | 30200 kr | 34300 kr | |
| 45-54 | 30300 kr | 34700 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 29100 kr | 33300 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 Alarm operator has the SSYK code 5414, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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