Nurse, surgery salary

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Nurse, surgery salary

44 000 SEK

Registered nurses

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

36 100 - 88 400 SEK / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Hälso- & sjukvård

Average salary 44 000 SEK/month Monthly gross salary
Salary range 36 100 - 88 400 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does a surgical nurse do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Surgical nurse salary – comprehensive overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data

Salary progression Nurse, surgery

Average salary 44 000 kr
Males 45 200 kr
Females 43 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 1801 Vacant jobs ->

What does a surgical nurse do? – Tasks and work environment

A surgical nurse plays a central role in the care team at surgical wards and operating units. The work involves being responsible for patient care before, during, and after surgical procedures. Tasks include preoperative preparations, assisting during surgeries, postoperative monitoring and pain management, as well as informing and supporting patients and relatives. The work environment is characterized by a fast pace, advanced medical equipment, and close collaboration with doctors, assistant nurses, and other healthcare staff. Surgical nurses often work shifts, which may include nights, weekends, and on-call duties.

Salary development over time

The salary for a surgical nurse has shown a stable and positive trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 41,100 SEK per month, increasing to 43 900 SEK in 2023 and further to 44 000 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 6.8% over the period. Salaries have increased somewhat faster in recent years, which can be explained by increased demand for specialist competence in surgical care and a general trend towards higher wages in the healthcare sector. Other factors influencing salary development include region, employer type, and education level, with research-trained nurses potentially reaching significantly higher salary levels.

Surgical nurse salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 44 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 40,700 SEK/month (female, municipal sector)
  • Highest salary: 77,200 SEK/month (male, public sector, research education)
  • Hourly wage: 264 SEK/hour
  • Women: 43 900 SEK/month (97% of men's salary)
  • Men: 45 200 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Some variation depending on labor market and employer

Experience in surgical care often provides opportunities to participate in development projects and quality work, which can open doors to roles such as training nurse or healthcare developer. It is common for surgical nurses to work with advanced technology and be involved in rapid medical decision-making, providing a dynamic and educational workday.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a surgical nurse begins with a nursing education at college or university. After obtaining a license, further training and practical experience in surgical care are often required to gain employment in surgical wards or operating units. Specialization and certifications can provide advanced competence and increase career opportunities.

  • Basic education: Nursing degree, 3 years (180 hp)
  • License: Swedish nursing license required
  • Specialization: Further training in surgical care is recommended
  • Practical training: Clinical practice included in the education
  • Experience: Practical experience in surgical wards is often advantageous

Common benefits and compensations

Surgical nurses are often covered by collective agreements and offered benefits such as extra vacation days, evening and weekend work supplements, wellness allowances, and opportunities for skills development. Some employers also provide pension contributions beyond statutory levels, on-call compensation, and access to occupational health services.

Competition and challenges

Despite high demand for surgical nurses, there is a paradoxical situation in the labor market: there are both recruitment difficulties and a relatively high proportion of part-time work or people leaving the profession. Reasons include workload, inconvenient working hours, and the requirement for continuous skills development. Competition for permanent positions at larger hospitals can be tough, especially for recent graduates, while opportunities are greater in regions with high staff turnover. Staying updated on new methods and technology is essential for continued growth in the profession.

Tips for those wanting to become a surgical nurse

To succeed as a surgical nurse, it is good to have a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to work structured even under pressure. Good communication skills facilitate collaboration with patients and colleagues, especially when quick decisions need to be made. Flexibility and adaptability are important qualities, as the workday often involves unexpected situations. It is recommended to actively seek internships in surgical care to build experience and networks early. Continuing education and taking initiative in skills development provide advantages in the job market. Engagement for patients' well-being and an interest in medical technology are also valuable assets. Finally, it is important to prioritize self-recovery to manage a physically and mentally demanding profession.

Key facts about surgical nurses

  • Salary range: 40,700–77,200 SEK/month
  • Education level: Nursing degree (3 years), license required
  • Work environment: Shift work, high pace, advanced medical technology
  • Demand: Great employment opportunities, 375 job openings
  • Gender differences: Women earn 97% of what men do

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years as a surgical nurse, there are opportunities to further specialize, for example as operating room nurse, anesthesia nurse, or move into roles such as healthcare developer or training nurse. Some combine clinical work with research or teaching. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, the opportunities for employment remain large nationwide, although the recruitment situation is characterized by a paradox – there is both a high demand and high turnover in the profession. The need is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, providing good career opportunities for those wishing to develop within the field. Currently, there are 375 job openings for nurses in Sweden.

Common questions about surgical nurses

  • What does a surgical nurse earn?
    - The average salary is 44 000 SEK/month, with a range from 40,700 to 77,200 SEK/month depending on experience, education, and sector.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Women earn an average of 43 900 SEK/month and men 45 200 SEK/month, which means women earn 97% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to work as a surgical nurse?
    - A nursing degree from college/university (3 years) and a license are required. Further specialization in surgery is advantageous.
  • What are the future prospects for surgical nurses?
    - The job market is considered very good with great opportunities and stable demand over the next five years.
  • What are the most common tasks in surgical care?
    - Pre- and post-operative care, assisting during surgeries, pain management, and patient information are central parts of the work.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Yes, salaries can vary depending on region, employer, and experience.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 00:49:55

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Nurse, surgery is 88400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 56600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Nurse, surgery is 36100 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 40200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 32000 kr 36100 kr
25-34 96% 36400 kr 40000 kr
35-44 97% 40600 kr 43400 kr
45-54 95% 43800 kr 46700 kr
55-64 99% 45900 kr 48700 kr
65-68 98% 48100 kr 51600 kr
Snitt 97% 40900 kr 44000 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 Nurse, surgery has the SSYK code 2221, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 390
Net salary
31 390
Taxes
11 718
Fees
12 582

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* Updated with 2026 taxes

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