- Salary statistics
- Juryman
Juryman
33 500 - 41 400 kr / month
Women earn 91% of what men do.
Kultur, media, design
Salary progression Juryman
What does a lay judge do? – Tasks and work environment
A lay judge participates as a lay assessor in court hearings alongside a legal judge. The tasks include reviewing court cases, listening to witness testimonies and arguments from parties, and jointly making decisions on case outcomes in both criminal and civil cases. Lay judges play an important role in contributing societal perspectives and general experience to the Swedish judicial system. The work is usually carried out in a court setting, with fixed times for hearings and sometimes long days during major cases.
Salary development over time
The salary for a lay judge has shown a clear increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 34,750 SEK, followed by an increase to 35 700 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has risen to 36,500 SEK, which corresponds to a total increase of approximately 5% over the period. This positive salary trend can partly be explained by increased demand for legal certainty and competent laypersons in courts, as well as general adjustments within the public sector salary levels. Salaries have also been affected by changes in the labor market and adjustments for inflation. Although the lay judge role has traditionally been seen as a trust position rather than a profession, the financial compensation has strengthened in line with increased workload and responsibility.
Lay judge salary – full overview
- Average salary: 41 100 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 33,500 SEK/month (female, unspecified education)
- Highest salary: 41,400 SEK/month (male, private sector employee, high school education)
- Hourly wage (average): 247 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: Men earn 44 400 SEK, women 40,200 SEK (women earn 91% of what men do)
- Regional differences: Data varies depending on court and region
Education and qualifications
To become a lay judge, no formal law degree is required, but basic knowledge of society, good judgment, and personal suitability are necessary. The role is political, and lay judges are often nominated by political parties and appointed by the municipal council. Work experience, community involvement, or engagement in social issues are often merit-worthy, and an introductory training is provided before assignment.
- Formal degree: No university education required
- Introductory training: Usually 1–2 days before assignment
- Prerequisites: Swedish citizenship, legal capacity, no criminal record
- Merits: Work experience, community involvement, social knowledge
- Tips for selection: Engagement in local community increases chances
The lay judge role offers a unique insight into the Swedish judicial system and the opportunity to influence important decisions. Many lay judges report that the experience increases understanding of society's functions and legislation, while also providing valuable contacts across various sectors.
Common benefits and compensations
In addition to the fixed remuneration, lay judges may receive compensation for lost income, travel allowances, and sometimes per diems for longer trips. Many courts also offer further training and opportunities to participate in network meetings for experience exchange among lay judges. Compensation levels and benefits may vary between courts and regions.
Competition and challenges
The competition to become a lay judge is relatively high, as the number of positions is limited and appointments are often political. Challenges in the role include handling difficult cases, maintaining objectivity, and working under time pressure, especially during extensive trials. Lack of legal background can also make it challenging to quickly understand complex legal issues. At the same time, there is an expectation that lay judges contribute a broad societal perspective, which demands personal integrity, responsiveness, and a sense of responsibility.
Tips for those interested in becoming a lay judge
To succeed as a lay judge, it is good to combine community engagement with strong analytical skills. Showing interest in social issues and participating in associations or political activities can increase chances of nomination. Carefulness and responsibility are important qualities, as the role requires familiarization with complex cases and well-founded decision-making. Communication skills and responsiveness facilitate cooperation with other lay judges and legal judges. Being open to new perspectives and able to handle difficult situations are also central, as the work sometimes involves taking a stance on sensitive issues. Finally, patience and a willingness to continuously develop through further training and experience exchange are valuable.
Key facts about Lay Judges
- Education level: No university degree required
- Work environment: Court, formal and structured environment
- Work form: Trust position, temporary assignment
- Demand: 620 available positions within the profession
- Special knowledge: Social knowledge and good judgment
Career paths and future prospects
After a few years as a lay judge, there are opportunities to become the chairperson of the court’s lay judge group or take on special responsibilities within lay judge associations. Some move on to other trust positions within municipalities or regions, or engage in training efforts for new lay judges. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the demand remains stable with 620 available jobs, and the outlook is positive as the need for societal representatives in the judiciary persists. Experience as a lay judge can also be advantageous when applying for other public or legal roles.
Frequently asked questions about Lay Judges
- What does a lay judge earn?
- The average salary for a lay judge is 41 100 SEK/month, with variation depending on gender, experience, and region. - Does a lay judge need to be a lawyer?
- No, formal legal education is not required. The role is based on community engagement and good judgment. - How does one become a lay judge?
- Lay judges are often nominated by political parties and appointed by the municipal council after application and suitability assessment. - What is the work environment like?
- The work takes place in a court environment, with hearings and decisions made in groups alongside legal judges and other lay judges. - What benefits does a lay judge receive?
- Common benefits include compensation for lost income, travel allowances, and opportunities for further training. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, men earn on average 44 400 SEK and women 40,200 SEK, which means women earn 91% of men's salary. - What is required to become a lay judge?
- Swedish citizenship, legal capacity, good conduct, and engagement in community issues are basic requirements.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 34900 kr | 38900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 33900 kr | 36100 kr | |
| Snitt | 84% | 33400 kr | 36500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 34900 kr | 38900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 33900 kr | 36100 kr | |
| Snitt | 84% | 33400 kr | 36500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 34900 kr | 38900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 33900 kr | 36100 kr | |
| Snitt | 84% | 33400 kr | 36500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 37500 kr | 42000 kr | |
| Snitt | 84% | 35100 kr | 40200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 37500 kr | 42000 kr | |
| Snitt | 84% | 35100 kr | 40200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 37500 kr | 42000 kr | |
| Snitt | 84% | 35100 kr | 40200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 84% | 32000 kr | 33500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 84% | 32000 kr | 33500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 84% | 32000 kr | 33500 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 Juryman has the SSYK code 4430, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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