How much does a Operations Assistant make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Operations Assistant
Image that illustrates Operations Assistant

Operations Assistant

49 900 kr

Operating room nurses

47 600 - 56 000 kr / month

Women earn 100% of what men do.

Hälso- & sjukvård

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Operations Assistant

Average salary 49 900 kr
Males 50 000 kr
Females 49 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 18 Vacant jobs ->

What does an Operations Assistant do? – Tasks and work environment

An Operations Assistant plays a central role in the operating room and works closely with operating nurses, surgeons, and other healthcare staff. Tasks include preparing the operating room, sterilizing instruments, assisting during surgeries, and handling and documenting materials and equipment. Operations Assistants ensure everything is in place for surgeries to be carried out smoothly and safely. The environment is often intense, with high demands on precision, teamwork, and stress management, as the work is directly connected to patient care and life-saving procedures.

Salary development over time

The salary for an Operations Assistant has steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 45,500 SEK per month, rising to 48 200 SEK in 2023 and further to 49 900 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 9.7% over three years, which is higher than the general wage growth in many other healthcare professions. The positive trend is linked to increased demand for surgical staff, while recruitment difficulties and high skill requirements help push wages upward. The job market for Operations Assistants remains strong, and the trend indicates that wages will continue to develop positively as the need for qualified personnel increases.

Operations Assistant salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 49 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 47,600 SEK/month (female, private sector worker, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Highest salary: 56,000 SEK/month (male, private sector worker, post-secondary education <3 years)
  • Hourly wage: 300 SEK
  • Gender pay gap: Women and men practically earn the same salary (women 49 900 SEK, men 50 000 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Specific figures are not available, but variations may occur between regions and employers

Many Operations Assistants have the opportunity to participate in advanced medical technology training and further education directly at their workplace. This provides a unique chance to continuously develop skills and specialize within different surgical areas.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

To work as an Operations Assistant, a healthcare education with a focus on surgical operations is usually required, often at post-secondary level. The education combines theoretical studies with practical training and covers both medical knowledge and technical skills. Some employers may also offer internal trainee programs or supplementary courses to ensure the right competence.

  • Formal education: Post-secondary healthcare education, often 1–3 years
  • Certifications: Courses in sterilization techniques and surgical hygiene
  • Practical training: Internship periods at hospitals or clinics are standard
  • Prerequisites: Care and nursing programs or equivalent basic healthcare experience
  • Additional training: Opportunities for further education and specialization within different surgical fields

Common benefits and compensations

Operations Assistants are often offered benefits such as evening and weekend shift allowances, extra vacation, wellness contributions, and opportunities for skills development. Some employers also provide compensation for work attire and meals during long shifts, as well as pension contributions and insurance coverage.

Challenges and competition

The job market for Operations Assistants is characterized by high demand but also a paradoxical recruitment situation where there is a shortage of experienced candidates while many leave the profession or work part-time. Heavy workload, demanding work environment, and the need for continuous skills development are some of the main challenges. To meet the increasing demand for qualified surgical staff, investments in education and working conditions are necessary. Additionally, high flexibility and teamwork skills are required, especially in situations with rapid changes or unforeseen events in the operating room.

Tips for aspiring Operations Assistants

To succeed as an Operations Assistant, it’s good to have a strong sense of accuracy and order, as the work requires precision and responsibility for sterile environments. Being stress-resistant is crucial since the pace can be high and unexpected situations may arise quickly during surgeries. Develop your teamwork and communication skills, as you work closely with other professionals and need to follow instructions and provide support in urgent situations. Show engagement in continuously learning new techniques and routines, as medical technology advances rapidly. Finally, empathy and respect for patient integrity are important qualities to create safety and quality in healthcare.

Key facts about Operations Assistants

  • Education level: Post-secondary healthcare education (1–3 years)
  • Work environment: Operating room at hospital or clinic
  • Demand: Very high, 375 available jobs nationwide
  • Equal pay: Women and men have essentially the same salary
  • Specialization: Opportunities for further training within various surgical fields

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years in the role of Operations Assistant, there are good opportunities for advancement, such as senior roles, specialization in specific surgical areas, or further education to become an surgical nurse. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast for the profession of surgical nurses, demand is expected to increase further over the next five years, and job opportunities are considered very good nationwide. The high number of available jobs and recruitment difficulties mean employers often offer competitive conditions to attract new staff. Operations Assistants therefore represent a future-proof career choice for those who want to work in a dynamic and vital part of healthcare.

Frequently asked questions about Operations Assistants

  • What does an Operations Assistant earn?
    - The average salary is 49 900 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 300 SEK.
  • Are there salary differences between women and men?
    - No, women and men have essentially the same salary within this profession.
  • What is the job market like for Operations Assistants?
    - The job market is very good with high demand and over 375 available positions nationwide.
  • What education is required to become an Operations Assistant?
    - Post-secondary healthcare education, often 1–3 years, plus practical training in surgical operations.
  • What are the most common job tasks?
    - Preparing the operating room, sterilizing instruments, and assisting during surgeries.
  • Can I further my education within the profession?
    - Yes, there are opportunities for further training and specialization within various surgical fields.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Accuracy, stress tolerance, teamwork skills, and a sense of responsibility are central qualities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 06:26:50

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Operations Assistant is 56000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 55200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Operations Assistant is 47600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 47800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 41100 kr 42400 kr
35-44 44500 kr 46400 kr
45-54 48500 kr 51000 kr
55-64 50300 kr 52900 kr
65-68 53700 kr 57200 kr
Snitt 100% 47600 kr 49900 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

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 Operations Assistant has the SSYK code 2231, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Public Opinion

    Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    National Debt

    The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes

Explore more topics