How much does a Reserve officer make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Reserve officer

Reserve officer

51 300 kr

Officers

36 300 - 53 900 kr / month

Women earn 87% of what men do.

Militärt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Reserve officer

Average salary 51 300 kr
Males 52 000 kr
Females 45 300 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 20 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Reserve Officer do? – Tasks and work environment

A Reserve Officer within the Swedish Armed Forces is a military leader who serves part-time or as needed, often alongside a civilian career. Tasks include leading military units during exercises, training soldiers, and planning and executing defense operations. Reserve Officers play a key role in mobilization and strengthen the defense readiness during crises. The work environment is varied and can range from office work and meetings to field exercises under demanding physical conditions. Service is carried out in close cooperation with both professional officers and conscripts, which requires strong teamwork skills and flexibility.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for Reserve Officers has steadily increased. In 2022, the average was 47,500 SEK, followed by an increase to 49 400 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary is 51 300 SEK, representing a total increase of approximately 8% during this period. This salary growth reflects a rising demand for military skills and the Swedish Armed Forces’ efforts to strengthen and retain personnel. The educational level of reservists and the need for leadership skills also contribute to higher wages. The trend indicates that salary levels are expected to continue rising in line with increasing demands and responsibilities in the role.

Reserve Officer salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 51 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (female): 36,300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (male): 41,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary (female): 53,900 SEK/month (private sector, doctoral education)
  • Highest salary (male): 53,700 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 309 SEK
  • Women earn: 45 300 SEK/month (87% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 52 000 SEK/month

Education and qualifications

To become a Reserve Officer, military basic training and a specialized officer training aimed at reserve service are required. Many also have a civilian university education that complements their military skills. The selection process is selective, emphasizing leadership ability and physical fitness.

  • Military basic training: Conscription or GMU (6–12 months)
  • Officer training for reserve officers: 1–2 years, often partly remote
  • Civilian university education: Common but not mandatory
  • Leadership training and practical experience: Included in officer training
  • Prerequisites: Approved conscription, aptitude tests, and security clearance
  • Additional courses: Opportunities for further education in tactics, technology, or leadership

Many reserve officers combine their military role with civilian careers in business or public sector. The unique skills from both worlds make reserve officers highly sought after in civilian leadership roles, where strategic thinking and decisiveness are highly valued.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Reserve Officers often have access to benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, training opportunities, and compensation for training days and missions. Reimbursements for travel and per diems are also common. Flexibility in service commitments and further training opportunities are typical within the profession.

Challenges and competition

Becoming a Reserve Officer involves relatively tough competition, especially at larger units and popular specializations. Selection is based on physical, mental, and leadership qualities, requiring a broad skill set. Balancing civilian work and military service can be challenging, especially during heightened readiness periods. Additionally, Reserve Officers are expected to pursue continuous training to meet evolving defense requirements, demanding high levels of commitment and flexibility. Despite this, demand remains stable, providing good opportunities for those willing to invest time and effort.

Tips for aspiring Reserve Officers

To succeed as a Reserve Officer, it is beneficial to develop leadership skills early and build good physical fitness, as these qualities are crucial in the selection process. Demonstrating responsibility and teamwork under pressure are also important for completing training and service. An active interest in societal issues and defense provides an advantage in interviews. Precision and quick decision-making are highly valued in the officer role. Flexibility and willingness to combine civilian and military work make it easier to meet the profession’s demands. Openness to further education and new challenges is also essential for development in the role. Finally, networking within the defense and civilian sectors can help create broader career opportunities.

Key facts about Reserve Officers

  • Education level: Military basic training + officer training
  • Typical work arrangement: Part-time, often combined with civilian employment
  • Work environment: Varied, includes both field and office
  • Demand: 39 job openings in Sweden (2024)
  • Special skills: Leadership, tactics, crisis management

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Reserve Officer, opportunities exist to advance to higher command roles, such as company commander or staff positions. Some choose to specialize further in areas like intelligence, logistics, or training. Forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service indicate continued strong demand, especially with increased defense spending and readiness requirements. The combination of military and civilian experience opens doors to leadership roles in business and public sectors. For those interested, there is also the possibility of transitioning to full-time professional officer roles or undertaking international assignments within the Swedish Armed Forces.

Frequently asked questions about Reserve Officers

  • What does a Reserve Officer earn?
    - The average salary is 51 300 SEK per month, but it varies based on experience, education, and employer.
  • How to become a Reserve Officer?
    - First, military basic training and then a specialized officer training for reserve officers are required.
  • What are the duties of a Reserve Officer?
    - Duties include leading units, training soldiers, and planning defense operations.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 87% of what men do in the profession.
  • What career opportunities are available?
    - Opportunities include higher command, specialization, or transition to professional officer roles and international missions.
  • What is the job market like for Reserve Officers?
    - There is continued strong demand with 39 reported job openings in 2024.
  • What benefits are offered?
    - Common benefits include occupational pension, wellness allowance, skills development, and compensation for training days.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-09 01:35:06

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Reserve officer is 53900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Privately employed workers with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 53700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Reserve officer is 36300 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 41200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 39400 kr 41800 kr
35-44 48400 kr 50300 kr
45-54 55100 kr 57000 kr
55-64 56000 kr 57600 kr
Snitt 87% 49400 kr 51300 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 Reserve officer has the SSYK code 110, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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