Private Secretary

What does a Personal Assistant do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Personal Assistant is responsible for supporting executives, entrepreneurs, or private individuals with administrative and organizational tasks in daily life. The work revolves around calendar management, meeting scheduling, travel planning, document handling, and often personal assistance in case management and discreet information handling. The role requires high integrity, good organizational skills, and the ability to quickly prioritize among many tasks. The work environment is generally office-based, with elements of digital remote work and sometimes travel. Personal Assistants are mainly found within larger companies, public sector, or among private individuals with extensive administrative needs.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary development for Personal Assistants has been steadily upward in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,000 SEK per month. The following year, 2023, it increased to 34 300 SEK, corresponding to a growth of about 4%. In 2024, the average salary has continued to rise to 35 600 SEK, representing an additional increase of approximately 3.8% from the previous year. This positive trend can largely be explained by increased demands for digital skills, higher education levels, and broader job responsibilities. Despite a generally balanced labor market and an expected decrease in demand in the long term, salaries have continued to develop relatively strongly during the period.

Personal Assistant Salary – Complete Overview

• Average salary: 35 600 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 27,100 SEK/month (male, government sector)
• Highest salary: 54,200 SEK/month (female, public sector, research education)
• Hourly wage: 214 SEK
• Women: 35 500 SEK/month (99% of men's salary)
• Men: 35 900 SEK/month
• Regional differences: Information is lacking, but variations may occur depending on the workplace and sector.

Education and Qualifications

The path to becoming a Personal Assistant usually involves a high school education with an administrative focus, supplemented with postgraduate courses in economics, administration, or languages. Many employers also require documented experience from similar roles, as well as excellent computer skills and the ability to communicate well in speech and writing. Specialized training and certifications in office administration, project management, or digital tools can be advantageous and increase employability.

• High school: Economics, administration, or similar (3 years)
• Vocational college: Office administration or similar (1–2 years)
• Courses/certifications: Project management, digital administration, languages
• Internship/experience: Work experience from similar roles is advantageous
• Prerequisites: Good computer skills, fluency in Swedish and English in speech and writing

Common Benefits and Compensation

Common benefits for Personal Assistants include wellness allowances, occupational pension, flexible working hours, and opportunities for remote work. Many employers also offer skills development, subsidized lunches, or collective insurance schemes, contributing to a secure and attractive employment.

Competition and Challenges

The job market for Personal Assistants is currently characterized by a balance between supply and demand, with approximately 758 job openings in the profession. However, demand is expected to decrease over five years, which requires continuous skills development and adaptability. Competition can be tough, especially for more attractive or specialized positions, and digitalization and automation mean that some tasks will change or disappear. Success requires broad administrative competence and the ability to quickly learn new digital tools.

Tips for Aspiring Personal Assistants

To succeed as a Personal Assistant, it is beneficial to combine structure and accuracy with good service skills. Flexibility and the ability to prioritize tasks quickly are crucial in a role with often high tempo. Discipline and initiative help in staying ahead and solving problems before they arise. Communication skills, both written and oral, are important for clarity and building trust with managers and colleagues. A professional and discreet attitude is necessary for handling sensitive information and building long-term relationships. Finally, actively keeping up with new digital tools and administrative systems is a significant advantage, as these rapidly change the profession.

Key Facts about Personal Assistants

• Educational level: High school education with an administrative focus, often supplemented with postgraduate courses
• Work environment: Office-based, sometimes with elements of remote work
• Demand: Approximately 758 job openings, but a forecast of decreasing demand in the long term
• Gender distribution: Women earn 99% of what men do in the profession
• Special skills: High digital competence and discretion are particularly sought after

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years as a Personal Assistant, there are opportunities to advance to more qualified roles such as Executive Secretary, Administrative Coordinator, or Project Assistant. For those wishing to specialize further, options include HR administration, finance, or management support. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the job market is expected to be balanced in the short term, but demand for office assistants and secretaries is forecasted to decline over five years. Digitalization and automation influence the profession, making adaptability and further training increasingly important for long-term employability.

Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Assistants

• What does a Personal Assistant earn?
  - A Personal Assistant has an average monthly salary of 35 600 SEK, but the salary can vary depending on experience and employer.
• What education is required to become a Personal Assistant?
  - High school education with an administrative focus is most common, often supplemented with postgraduate courses or vocational training.
• Are there regional salary differences?
  - Information about regional differences is lacking, but variations may occur depending on the workplace and sector.
• What are the future prospects for the profession?
  - According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, demand for Personal Assistants is expected to decrease over five years, but the job market is balanced today.
• What does a Personal Assistant do in their daily work?
  - Tasks include administration, calendar management, travel arrangements, and sometimes personal assistance.
• What are the highest and lowest salaries in the profession?
  - The highest salary is 54,200 SEK (female, public sector, research education), the lowest is 27,100 SEK (male, government sector).