Surgical nurse salary

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  2. Surgical nurse salary
Image that illustrates Surgical nurse

Surgical nurse salary

51 000 SEK

Operating room nurses

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

49 200 - 58 600 SEK / month

Women earn 102% of what men do.

Hälso- & sjukvård

Average salary 51 000 SEK/month Monthly gross salary
Salary range 49 200 - 58 600 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Calculate take-home pay for Surgical nurse 51 000 SEK/month prefilled Calculate gross salary for Surgical nurse Start from net pay More salary pages Browse more roles Open jobs for Surgical nurse 81 matching jobs in Hälso- & sjukvård

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Salary trend About the role What does an operating room nurse do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Operating room nurse salary – comprehensive overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Surgical nurse

Average salary 51 000 kr
Males 50 300 kr
Females 51 100 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 81 Vacant jobs ->

What does an operating room nurse do? – Tasks and work environment

An operating room nurse is responsible for planning, executing, and following up on patient care before, during, and after surgeries. The role involves ensuring the operating room is sterile, that the correct instruments are available, and that the patient receives optimal care throughout the surgical procedure. The work environment is characterized by a fast pace, technical equipment, and close collaboration with surgeons, anesthetic nurses, and other operating staff. Operating room nurses primarily work in hospital surgical units but can also be found in private clinics or specialist practices.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salaries for operating room nurses have increased gradually. In 2022, the average salary was 45,500 SEK, followed by an increase to 49 900 SEK in 2023, and further to 51 000 SEK in 2024. This development represents a total increase of approximately 9.7% over the period, which is slightly higher than the average salary increase across the healthcare sector overall. Factors driving salary growth include increased demand for operating room nurses, a skills shortage, and a greater focus on retaining and recruiting specialized staff. The clear trend indicates continued upward pressure on the profession’s salaries, especially as surgical volumes and technological complexity increase within Swedish healthcare.

Operating room nurse salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 51 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 47,600 SEK/month (female, private sector, post-secondary education 3 years or more)
  • Highest salary: 56,000 SEK/month (male, private sector, post-secondary education less than 3 years)
  • Hourly wage: 300 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn as much as men in the profession (men: 50 300 SEK, women: 51 000 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Regional salary differences exist, but exact values are not specified

Education and qualifications

To work as an operating room nurse, a license as a registered nurse is required, followed by a one-year specialist training in surgical nursing. The educational pathway includes theoretical studies, practical components, and clinical training in an operating room setting. In addition to formal education, good teamwork skills and stress resilience are important qualities for the profession.

  • Nursing degree: 3 years at university/higher education
  • Specialist nursing training in surgical nursing: 1 year (full-time)
  • License: Issued by the National Board of Health and Welfare
  • Practical training: Included in the program
  • Eligibility requirements: Basic eligibility for university studies and passing grades in relevant subjects

Operating room nurses are often involved with advanced medical technology and surgical innovations, meaning the profession is constantly evolving in line with medical research. For those interested in technology and working closely with cutting-edge healthcare methods, this can be an especially stimulating career path.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Operating room nurses are often offered benefits such as extra vacation days, evening and weekend shift allowances, wellness grants, and opportunities for professional development through courses and conferences. In some cases, favorable pension solutions and flexible working hours are also available, especially in the private sector.

Competition and challenges

The profession of operating room nurse is characterized by a paradoxical recruitment situation with high demand but also difficulties filling vacant positions. Many regions report shortages of specialized personnel, which can lead to high workload and stressful working conditions. At the same time, the profession offers significant opportunities for development and specialization, but also requires continuous skills upgrading in line with new medical technologies. Those entering the profession should be prepared for shift work and sometimes long shifts during emergency situations. Despite these challenges, the job market remains very strong, and employment opportunities are considered excellent both in the short and long term.

Tips for aspiring operating room nurses

To succeed as an operating room nurse, it is good to combine an interest in technology with a strong sense of responsibility. Precision is crucial, especially when handling instruments and following sterilization routines. Good teamwork skills facilitate communication with the team in the operating room, while stress resilience provides confidence in acute and unexpected situations. Flexibility and adaptability are important as workdays can vary greatly. Aim to gain practical experience early through internships in surgical environments and take advantage of opportunities for further education and certifications. Engagement and a genuine patient focus also provide extra strength in the role, especially when meeting vulnerable patients.

Key facts about Operating Room Nurse

  • Average salary: 51 000 SEK/month
  • Educational requirements: Licensed nurse + 1 year specialist training
  • Job market: 375 available jobs, very good future prospects
  • Gender differences: Equal salaries between women and men
  • Work environment: Hospitals, surgical units, high pace, team collaboration

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as an operating room nurse, opportunities open up for roles such as team leader, training coordinator, or specialist in particular surgical fields. Some choose to advance to managerial positions within surgical departments or work in research and development of new techniques. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts, demand for operating room nurses is expected to increase further over the next five years, with a continued strong job market and good opportunities for career development. The recruitment situation remains challenging, indicating that skilled operating room nurses will be highly sought after in the future as well.

Frequently asked questions about Operating Room Nurse

  • What does an operating room nurse earn?
    - An operating room nurse has an average salary of 51 000 SEK per month.
  • How to become an operating room nurse?
    - First, a nursing degree and license are required, followed by a one-year specialist training in surgical nursing.
  • Are there salary differences between women and men?
    - In this profession, salaries are equal; men earn 50 300 SEK and women 51 000 SEK on average.
  • What work environments do operating room nurses work in?
    - Most work in hospital surgical departments, but private clinics and specialist practices are also common.
  • What is the job market like for operating room nurses?
    - The job market is very good, with 375 available jobs within the profession.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for an operating room nurse?
    - The highest salary is 56,000 SEK and the lowest 47,600 SEK per month, depending on employment type and education.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 13:30:24

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Surgical nurse is 58600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Municipal sector with a data missing. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 57700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Surgical nurse is 49200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 49700 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 42600 kr
35-44 45300 kr 47300 kr
45-54 49600 kr 51900 kr
55-64 52000 kr 54900 kr
65-68 55300 kr 58600 kr
Snitt 102% 48700 kr 51000 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Surgical nurse has the SSYK code 2231, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 390
Net salary
31 390
Taxes
11 718
Fees
12 582

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* Updated with 2026 taxes

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