How much does a Psychiatric nurse make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Psychiatric nurse
Image that illustrates Psychiatric nurse

Psychiatric nurse

46 900 kr

Psychiatric nurses

44 000 - 51 000 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Hälso- & sjukvård

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Psychiatric nurse

Average salary 46 900 kr
Males 47 900 kr
Females 46 700 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 17 Vacant jobs ->

What does a psychiatric nurse do? – tasks and work environment

Psychiatric nurses are responsible for providing care and support to patients with mental illnesses and psychological issues. Their tasks include caregiving, conducting assessments, administering medication, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to create a comprehensive understanding of the patient's needs. The work environment can be at hospitals, psychiatric clinics, or outpatient care, often involving a combination of direct patient meetings and documentation work. The role requires high stress tolerance and the ability to handle complex and sometimes emotionally demanding situations.

Salary development over time

The salary for psychiatric nurses has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 41,400 SEK per month, rising in 2023 to 44 700 SEK, and then reaching 46 900 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 13.3% over three years, indicating a positive salary trend. The increase can be linked to increased demand for psychiatric nurses, a general shortage of healthcare workers, and investments in mental health in society. The level of education and specialized skills also contribute to salary growth, as the profession requires both a nursing degree and further training in psychiatry.

Psychiatric nurses often work in teams where empathy and patience are as important tools as medical knowledge. Building trust with patients with complex mental health conditions is an art developed through experience.

– statsskuld.se

Psychiatric nurse salary – a complete overview

  • Average salary: 46 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 44,000 SEK (female, public sector, shorter post-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 51,000 SEK (male, municipal sector, shorter post-secondary education)
  • Hourly wage: 282 SEK (based on 166 hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn on average 46 700 SEK, men 47 900 SEK, women earn 98% of men's salaries
  • Regional differences: Data unavailable, but salary levels may vary depending on region and employer

Education and qualifications

To become a psychiatric nurse, a basic nursing degree is required, followed by specialist training in psychiatry. The education combines theoretical studies and practical components to provide knowledge about mental health and caregiving.

  • Basic degree: Nursing education, 3 years at university or college
  • Specialist training: Psychiatric nursing education, typically 1–1.5 years
  • Practical training: Clinical practice within psychiatric care is included in the education
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for university studies and nursing degree
  • Continuing education: Regular courses and certifications to stay updated on new treatment methods

Common benefits and compensations

Psychiatric nurses are generally offered standard benefits such as collective pension agreements, wellness allowances, and holiday pay. Employment within municipal and state sectors may also include occupational pensions and opportunities for further training during working hours. Some workplaces offer flexible working hours and support programs to manage work-related stress.

Challenges and competition

Although demand for psychiatric nurses is considered high, there is a paradox in the recruitment situation. Difficulties in recruiting coexist with high unemployment or a large proportion of part-time employment. The profession often involves high workload and emotional strain, which can lead some to leave the profession. At the same time, job opportunities are good, and the need for specialized care for patients with mental health issues is expected to remain stable in the future.

Tips for aspiring psychiatric nurses

To succeed as a psychiatric nurse, it is beneficial to have strong empathy and patience, as the work often involves meeting vulnerable and distressed individuals. Good communication skills and the ability to collaborate well in teams are important, as care is often conducted in close cooperation with other professionals. High stress tolerance helps manage the pressures that can arise in the profession, along with a willingness to continuously learn new methods and knowledge. Being thorough and responsible ensures high patient safety. Finally, having a genuine desire to contribute to mental health and well-being is valuable.

Key facts about psychiatric nurses

  • Education level: Nursing degree + specialist training in psychiatry
  • Salary range: 44,000–51,000 SEK/month
  • Work environment: Clinical healthcare setting with high emotional demands
  • Demand: Large job opportunities, outlook unchanged
  • Gender salary gap: Women earn approximately 98% of men's salaries

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years in the profession, psychiatric nurses can advance to specialist roles such as team leaders, supervisors, or work in education and research within psychiatric care. Some choose to further train as psychologists or psychotherapists. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, the opportunities for employment as a psychiatric nurse are large, but demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. The recruitment situation reflects the paradox between recruitment difficulties and high unemployment or part-time work, illustrating the complex labor market of the profession.

Common questions about psychiatric nurses

  • What does a psychiatric nurse earn?
    - The average salary is approximately 46 900 SEK per month, with variations between 44,000 and 51,000 SEK depending on experience, sector, and gender.
  • What education is required to become a psychiatric nurse?
    - A basic nursing degree and a specialist training in psychiatry are required.
  • What is the work environment like for psychiatric nurses?
    - The work environment is often clinical and can be emotionally demanding with direct patient contact.
  • Are there good job opportunities in psychiatry?
    - Yes, nationally, job opportunities are considered large, although demand is expected to remain unchanged.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn on average 98% of men's salaries within the profession.
  • What personal qualities are important in the profession?
    - Empathy, patience, stress tolerance, and good communication skills are central qualities.
  • How does the salary develop over time?
    - The salary has increased positively by over 13% in the past three years.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-07 20:29:17

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Psychiatric nurse is 51000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 50100 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Psychiatric nurse is 44000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 45200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 39600 kr 41600 kr
35-44 93% 42800 kr 44600 kr
45-54 103% 47000 kr 48600 kr
55-64 96% 45400 kr 47600 kr
65-68 46400 kr 48900 kr
Snitt 98% 45000 kr 46900 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 Psychiatric nurse has the SSYK code 2225, 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