How much does a Sailor priest make

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  2. Sailor priest
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Sailor priest

50 800 kr

Priests

50 400 - 51 300 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

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Salary progression Sailor priest

Average salary 50 800 kr
Males 51 300 kr
Females 50 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 6 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Sjömanspräst do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Sjömanspräst has a unique role within the Church of Sweden or other Christian denominations, working specifically with seafarers, their families, and individuals active in the maritime industry. Tasks include conducting services and ceremonies, providing counseling, pastoral care, and crisis management both onboard ships and in ports. The work often takes place in an international environment where meetings with people from different cultures and languages are a natural part of daily life. The work environment can vary from churches and parish offices to ship decks and port areas, and travel and on-call periods depending on operational needs are common.

Salary development over time

The salary for a Sjömanspräst has shown positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 46,400 SEK per month, increasing to 49 600 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 50,800 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 9.5% over three years. This growth can be explained by continued high demand for qualified priests with maritime expertise, increased accessibility requirements, and employers adjusting salaries to retain and attract experienced staff. The salary trend remains stable and aligns with similar professions within church activities.

Sjömanspräst salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 50,800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 50,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 51,300 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 306 SEK
  • Women earn: 50,400 SEK/month (98% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 51,300 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Few variations, but slightly higher wages in larger port cities

Education and qualifications

A Sjömanspräst requires a university-level theological education and ordination within a Christian denomination, typically the Church of Sweden. In addition to basic priest training, supplementary courses or experience in maritime-related activities are often necessary, along with strong ability to work in international and sometimes demanding environments.

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in theology: 3–5 years
  • Ordination within the Church of Sweden or equivalent
  • Additional courses in pastoral care and crisis management
  • Experience in maritime or international work
  • Proficiency in languages and intercultural competence

Many Sjömanspräster have the opportunity to travel worldwide and work onboard ships, gaining unique experiences of international encounters and cultures. It is a profession where flexibility and curiosity about others' life conditions are essential.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and allowances

In addition to base salary, benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, opportunities for professional development, and extra compensation for on-call and standby duties are often offered. Some employers also provide travel allowances and accommodation for longer assignments abroad or onboard ships.

Challenges and competition

The competition for positions as a Sjömanspräst is relatively limited, as it is a niche role with specific educational and experience requirements. Challenges include dealing with loneliness, irregular working hours, and quickly adapting to new environments. The work can also be emotionally demanding, involving crisis management and conversations with people in difficult life situations. Additionally, the ability to build trust quickly and work independently, sometimes far from one's own congregation and support network, is important.

Tips for aspiring Sjömanspräst

To succeed as a Sjömanspräst, it is beneficial to combine strong empathy with genuine curiosity about people from diverse backgrounds. Flexibility and solution-oriented thinking ease travel and rapid adjustments, while good communication skills help build trust in unfamiliar environments. Maintaining a stable personal foundation and self-awareness is crucial, as the role often involves meeting people in crisis. Investing in language skills and intercultural training can make a significant difference, as well as being prepared to work both independently and in teams with various professionals. Resilience and stress management are valuable qualities for long-term success in the profession.

Key facts about Sjömanspräst

  • Average salary: 50,800 SEK/month
  • Education level: Bachelor's or master's degree in theology + ordination
  • Typical work environment: Ships, ports, parish offices
  • Gender salary difference: Women earn 98% of what men do
  • Number of available jobs: 237 within the profession (SSYK code)

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Sjömanspräst, it is common to take on more specialized roles, such as coordinator for the international work of the seafarers' church or supervisor for new colleagues. Some choose to work with education or development within the church or switch to other diaconal or pastoral roles. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the outlook is positive, with a stable demand for qualified priests in maritime and related sectors, especially in larger port cities and international environments. However, the job market is small, and competition is moderate, making experience and specialized skills crucial for securing the most attractive positions.

Frequently asked questions about Sjömanspräst

  • What does a Sjömanspräst earn?
    - A Sjömanspräst has an average salary of 50,800 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 306 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a Sjömanspräst?
    - It requires a university-level theological education and ordination within the Church of Sweden or equivalent.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Salaries are relatively uniform across the country, but slightly higher in larger port cities.
  • What is the job market like for Sjömanspräster?
    - The job market is small but stable, with approximately 237 available positions within the profession.
  • What does a Sjömanspräst do in their daily work?
    - Sjömanspräster work with pastoral care, services, and crisis management, often in an international environment and onboard ships.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn 98% of what men do in the profession.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 00:26:21

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Sailor priest is 51300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 50800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Sailor priest is 50400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 51200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
35-44 47500 kr 49600 kr
45-54 49800 kr 51600 kr
55-64 97% 49300 kr 51000 kr
Snitt 98% 49000 kr 50800 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 Sailor priest has the SSYK code 2671, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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