- Salary statistics
- Forensic pathologist salary
Forensic pathologist salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
89 800 - 117 800 SEK / month
Women earn 99% of what men do.
Hälso- & sjukvård
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Salary progression Forensic pathologist
What does a forensic pathologist do? – Tasks and work environment
A forensic pathologist is a specialist doctor focused on investigating causes of death and injuries in connection with legal processes. Tasks include conducting forensic autopsies, analyzing injuries, and providing expert opinions in legal contexts. The forensic pathologist often collaborates with police, prosecutors, and other justice system actors to contribute medical knowledge to criminal investigations. The work environment is clinical and laboratory-based, with elements of office work and court appearances.
Salary development over time
The salaries of forensic pathologists have shown positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK per month, which increased to 93 600 SEK in 2023 and further to 98 000 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total salary increase of approximately 8.3 percent during the period. The increase can partly be explained by the high demand for specialist doctors in forensic medicine and the sector's requirements for advanced education and specialist competence. The market's need for qualified forensic pathologists and recruitment challenges have thus contributed to strong salary development.
Forensic pathologists often need to combine medical expertise with legal knowledge, making the profession unique among specialist doctors.
Forensic pathologist salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 98 000 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 84,600 SEK/month (male, private employed)
- Highest salary: 110,600 SEK/month (male, public sector, postgraduate education 3+ years)
- Hourly wage: 563 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
- Gender differences: Women earn on average 99% of men's salaries
- Regional differences: Information is lacking, but salary levels can vary depending on workplace and region
Education and qualifications
To become a forensic pathologist, a specialist medical education with a focus on forensic medicine is required. The profession demands high medical competence, analytical ability, and legal understanding. The specialist training is often followed by practical experience within forensic medical institutions.
- Basic medical education: Medical degree (5.5 years)
- Specialist training: Forensic medicine, usually 5 years of specialist training after medical degree
- Internship/trainee: Clinical service and supervised specialist practice
- Prerequisites: Medical degree and licensure as a doctor
- Additional courses: Legal education in forensic medicine can be advantageous
Common benefits and compensations
Forensic pathologists are often offered benefits such as collective pension schemes, occupational pension, and health insurance. Many employers in the public sector also provide flexible working hours and opportunities for professional development. Travel and overtime pay may occur depending on the workplace and duty roster.
Competition and challenges
The profession of forensic pathologists is characterized by a paradoxical recruitment situation where demand is high, yet filling positions can be difficult. Challenges include high requirements for specialization and the psychologically demanding work environment, which may involve autopsies and forensic investigations. At the same time, the job market for forensic pathologists is relatively stable with good prospects.
Tips for aspiring forensic pathologists
To succeed as a forensic pathologist, it is beneficial to have strong analytical skills and a meticulous work approach, as details are often crucial in forensic investigations. An interest in both medicine and law facilitates understanding of the profession's complexity. Patience and mental resilience are important qualities, as the tasks can be emotionally demanding. Building good collaborations with colleagues and justice actors is also central to contributing effectively to investigations. Finally, continuous further education is necessary to stay updated in both medical and legal fields.
Key facts about forensic pathologists
- Educational level: Specialist doctor with specialist training in forensic medicine
- Salary range: 84,600–110,600 SEK/month
- Work environment: Clinical and forensic laboratory environment
- Work form: Specialist doctor with both practical and theoretical tasks
- Demand: High with increasing needs over five years
Career paths and future prospects
After 3–5 years in the profession, a forensic pathologist can advance to senior specialist, researcher positions, or leadership roles within forensic institutions. Opportunities also exist to work as an expert witness or in teaching roles. The Public Employment Service's prognosis estimates that the demand for specialist doctors, including forensic pathologists, will increase nationally. Despite recruitment difficulties, job opportunities are expected to be good, and there are currently approximately 375 job openings in the specialist doctor field.
Common questions about forensic pathologists
- What does a forensic pathologist earn?
- The average salary is approximately 98 000 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience and employment type. - What education is required to become a forensic pathologist?
- Medical degree followed by specialist training in forensic medicine. - Are there significant gender differences in salary?
- No, women earn on average 99% of men's salaries. - What is the work environment like for forensic pathologists?
- It is clinical and laboratory-based with elements of legal assignments. - Is it difficult to find a job as a forensic pathologist?
- No, demand is high and the prognosis indicates increasing needs. - Can forensic pathologists work in both public and private sectors?
- Yes, both government and private employers hire forensic pathologists. - What personal qualities are important in this profession?
- Precision, analytical skills, and mental resilience are central.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80100 kr | 84700 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 85700 kr | 90300 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 96600 kr | 101800 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 98300 kr | 102700 kr |
| 65-68 | 97% | 103100 kr | 105900 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 93300 kr | 98000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80400 kr | 85800 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 85900 kr | 91400 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 94500 kr | 100700 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 99500 kr | 104800 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 103400 kr | 106700 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 92900 kr | 98500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 94% | 90400 kr | 91800 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 96300 kr | 97300 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 99500 kr | 103200 kr |
| 65-68 | 73% | 125700 kr | 128000 kr |
| Snitt | 87% | 97800 kr | 99800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80400 kr | 85900 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 85800 kr | 91400 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 94500 kr | 100700 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 99500 kr | 104800 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 102900 kr | 106200 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 92900 kr | 98500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 84900 kr | 85600 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 106600 kr | 107300 kr |
| 55-64 | 93200 kr | 94100 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 94900 kr | 95600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 84900 kr | 85600 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 106600 kr | 107300 kr |
| 55-64 | 93200 kr | 94100 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 94900 kr | 95600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80600 kr | 85900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 84600 kr | 89900 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 96700 kr | 103600 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 97500 kr | 102900 kr |
| 65-68 | 97% | 104200 kr | 107300 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 93100 kr | 98700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80700 kr | 86900 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 86400 kr | 93200 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 95300 kr | 103200 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 100100 kr | 106600 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 105100 kr | 109100 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 94000 kr | 100900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 94% | 92700 kr | 95900 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 101600 kr | 104600 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 103700 kr | 108600 kr |
| 65-68 | 73% | 138500 kr | 141900 kr |
| Snitt | 87% | 105600 kr | 109300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80700 kr | 86900 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 86300 kr | 93200 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 95200 kr | 103200 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 100000 kr | 106500 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 104400 kr | 108300 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 93900 kr | 100800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 79000 kr | 79400 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 105700 kr | 106400 kr |
| Snitt | 113% | 89200 kr | 89800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 79000 kr | 79400 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 105700 kr | 106400 kr |
| Snitt | 113% | 89200 kr | 89800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 79600 kr | 83400 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 86700 kr | 90600 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 96600 kr | 100400 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 99100 kr | 102500 kr |
| 65-68 | 97% | 101200 kr | 103600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 93500 kr | 97300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80100 kr | 84600 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 85400 kr | 90000 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 93900 kr | 98500 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 98900 kr | 102800 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 100900 kr | 103100 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 92000 kr | 96300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 94% | 89200 kr | 89800 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 94600 kr | 95000 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 96400 kr | 99300 kr |
| 65-68 | 73% | 103500 kr | 103900 kr |
| Snitt | 87% | 93800 kr | 94800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80200 kr | 84700 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 85400 kr | 90000 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 93800 kr | 98600 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 99000 kr | 102900 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 100800 kr | 103100 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 91900 kr | 96300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 93100 kr | 94100 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 107100 kr | 107800 kr |
| 55-64 | 99900 kr | 101100 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 100600 kr | 101600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 93100 kr | 94100 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 107100 kr | 107800 kr |
| 55-64 | 99900 kr | 101100 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 100600 kr | 101600 kr |
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 Forensic pathologist has the SSYK code 2211, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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