How much does a Chief mate make

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  2. Chief mate
Image that illustrates Chief mate

Chief mate

50 500 kr

Ship officers etc.

44 900 - 55 300 kr / month

Transport

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Chief mate

Average salary 50 500 kr
Males 50 500 kr
Females 0 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 3 Vacant jobs ->

What does an Överstyrman do? – tasks and working environment

An Överstyrman is the highest officer onboard after the captain and is responsible for the ship's daily operations, safety, and cargo handling. Tasks include leading the crew, planning and supervising loading and unloading, managing navigation duties, and ensuring strict adherence to safety procedures. The Överstyrman also plays a central role in maintaining ship equipment and ensuring all certificates and documents are up to date. The work environment is characterized by high responsibility, varied working hours, and long periods at sea, often with shift work and sometimes under challenging weather conditions.

Salary development over time

The salary for an Överstyrman has shown steady growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 47,600 kronor per month, increasing to 48 600 kronor in 2023 and further to 50 500 kronor in 2024. This development represents a total increase of approximately 6.1% over the three-year period. The trend is largely explained by increased demand for qualified ship officers, combined with general wage pressures in the transport sector. There has also been a shift towards more advanced education requirements and higher responsibility levels, reflected in salary development. Despite the niche nature of the profession, there has been a stable market for competent Överstyrman, contributing to positive salary growth.

Överstyrman salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 50 500 kr/month
  • Lowest salary: 44,900 kr/month (man), 48,700 kr/month (woman)
  • Highest salary: 55,300 kr/month (man), 54,900 kr/month (woman)
  • Hourly wage: 304 kr
  • Gender differences: Men 50 500 kr, women – data missing for average; highest and lowest levels listed above
  • Regional differences: Data missing at regional level

Education and qualifications

Becoming an Överstyrman requires solid education and extensive sea service experience. A higher education maritime degree is necessary, followed by approved sea service and multiple certifications. The education combines theoretical subjects such as navigation, ship technology, and safety with practical periods onboard ships. To advance to Överstyrman, several years of experience as a Third Officer and approved competency exams are also required.

  • Formal degree: Captain degree (3–4 years at university level)
  • Certifications: Approved competency certificates according to the Swedish Transport Agency's requirements
  • Practical training: Mandatory sea service during education
  • Prerequisites: Basic university eligibility, often in science or technical fields
  • Tips for success: Interest in technology, safety, and leadership facilitates studies and career

An Överstyrman is one of the few professions where the workplace constantly moves – often across the world's oceans. This means the profession can offer both adventure and unique opportunities to experience new cultures directly through work.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In the profession of Överstyrman, benefits often include free travel to and from the ship, per diems during service, as well as accident and health insurances. Overtime and work during inconvenient hours are common compensations, along with the possibility of longer leave periods between assignments. Many employers also offer pension contributions and wellness allowances.

Competition and challenges

Competition for positions as an Överstyrman is moderate but influenced by economic cycles and changes within the shipping industry. The number of job openings within the profession is currently 412, indicating stable demand. At the same time, the profession demands high technical and leadership skills, which can be a challenge for new applicants. Long periods at sea, often with limited contact with the outside world, require good stress resilience and adaptability. Since the job market is international, opportunities are also affected by global trends in shipping and logistics.

Tips for aspiring Överstyrman

To succeed as an Överstyrman, it is beneficial to combine technical interest with strong leadership and organizational skills. Those with an analytical mindset who can make decisions quickly under pressure have an advantage in emergency situations onboard. Developing good communication skills is crucial, as dialogue with crew and the captain is central to the job. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to long periods away from home make life at sea easier, especially on international routes. Engagement with safety and regulations is important, as the Överstyrman is responsible for both people and valuable cargo. Early internships and networking within the maritime industry increase chances of employment. Finally, resilience and teamwork skills are essential for thriving and developing in the role.

Key facts about Överstyrman

  • Education level: Captain degree (3–4 years)
  • Work environment: At sea, often in international waters
  • Typical work pattern: Shift work with periods onboard and longer leave
  • Demand: 412 job openings within the profession (May 2024)
  • Special skills: Navigation, safety, leadership

Career paths and future prospects

An Överstyrman has good opportunities to advance to higher officer roles, such as captain or other leadership positions within shipping companies and the maritime industry after 3–5 years. It is also common for Överstyrman to move into land-based roles as trainers or inspectors, or to specialize in areas like safety and logistics. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's general forecast for ship officers, it is difficult to give an exact assessment for Överstyrman, but the stable number of job openings indicates continued demand. However, the industry is influenced by global shipping developments and the availability of trained personnel, which means future prospects may vary over time.

Frequently asked questions about Överstyrman

  • What does an Överstyrman earn?
    - An Överstyrman has an average monthly salary of 50 500.
  • How does one become an Överstyrman?
    - The profession requires a captain degree, sea service, and approved certifications.
  • What are the working hours for an Överstyrman?
    - Work is usually in shifts with periods onboard followed by longer leave.
  • Are there gender differences in salary for Överstyrman?
    - Salary data for women is missing for the average, but highest and lowest salaries are listed separately.
  • What are the future prospects for an Överstyrman?
    - There are 412 job openings, but no precise forecast for the occupation.
  • What benefits are common for Överstyrman?
    - Common benefits include free travel, per diems, insurance, and longer leave periods.
  • What is required to advance to a captain?
    - Several years of experience as an Överstyrman and approved further education and certifications are needed.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 11:18:16

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Chief mate is 55300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 54900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Chief mate is 44900 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 48700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
35-44 47100 kr 51800 kr
45-54 49000 kr 54200 kr
55-64 45500 kr 48800 kr
Snitt 46400 kr 50500 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 Chief mate has the SSYK code 3152, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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