What does a surgical nurse earn?

A surgical nurse has an average salary of 49,900 SEK per month, with a salary range between 47,600 and 56,000 SEK depending on experience and employment type.

How to become a surgical nurse?

First, a license as a registered nurse is required (3-year university education), followed by a 1-year specialized training in surgical nursing.

Are there salary differences between women and men?

No, women and men generally have the same average salary within the profession.

What is the job market like for surgical nurses?

Projections show great opportunities for employment and increasing demand for surgical nurses in the coming years.

What are the duties of a surgical nurse?

Duties include preparing patients, assisting during surgeries, handling instruments and materials, and monitoring patient condition before, during, and after procedures.

What is the hourly wage for a surgical nurse?

The average hourly wage for a surgical nurse is 300 SEK.

Nurse, surgery salary

51 000 SEK

Operating room nurses

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

49 200 - 58 600 SEK / month

Women earn 102% of what men do.

Hälso- & sjukvård

Average salary 51 000 SEK/month Monthly gross salary

Salary range 49 200 - 58 600 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 – complete overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data

Salary progression Nurse, surgery

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

A surgical nurse, also called an operating room nurse, is responsible for preparing, assisting, and post-operative care of patients during surgical procedures. Tasks include ensuring a sterile environment, assisting surgeons during operations, managing instruments and materials, and monitoring patient status before, during, and after surgery. The work environment is often intense and requires great accuracy, teamwork, and the ability to handle emergency situations. Surgical nurses mainly work in hospital operating rooms, where the pace can be high and medical demands significant.

Salary development over time

The salary for a surgical nurse has shown steady and positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 45,500 SEK per month, increasing to 49 900 SEK in 2023. The latest data from 2024 indicates a further rise to 51 000 SEK, representing a total salary increase of approximately 9.7% over three years. This growth reflects an increased demand for specialized surgical staff, as well as a general push from employers to raise wages to meet skill shortages and higher working condition requirements. The fact that salary differences between genders are negligible within the profession can also be seen as a sign of equal pay development.

Surgical nurse salary – complete overview

Average salary: 51 000 SEK/month
Lowest salary: 47,600 SEK/month (female, private sector, post-secondary education 3 years or more)
Highest salary: 56,000 SEK/month (male, private sector, post-secondary education shorter than 3 years)
Hourly wage: 300 SEK/hour
Gender differences: Women and men practically have the same average salary (51 000–50 300 SEK/month)
Regional differences: Data on regional differences is limited or unavailable

Education and qualifications

To work as a surgical nurse, a license as a registered nurse is required first, followed by a specialist training in surgical care. The education path involves both theoretical and practical skills development, with clinical experience often highly valued. Many employers also require specific certifications and further training in sterile technique and patient safety.

Nursing degree: Basic education, 3 years (bachelor's degree)
Specialist training in surgical care: 1 year (additional qualification)
License: Issued by the National Board of Health and Welfare after completing education
Practical training: Clinical practice included during both basic and specialist education
Additional courses: Opportunities for further training in anesthesia, sterilization techniques, and patient safety

Working as a surgical nurse often involves being part of a cohesive team where communication and collaboration are crucial, especially in stressful or unexpected situations. The role requires not only medical expertise but also the ability to make quick decisions and handle unforeseen events. For many, the variety and direct contact with patients are strong motivators in daily work.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Surgical nurses are often offered benefits such as night shift supplements for working at irregular hours, extra pay for on-call and standby duties, and opportunities for further training paid by the employer. Other common benefits include wellness allowances, pension contributions, and sometimes extra vacation days depending on employment agreements and workplaces.

Challenges and competition

The demand for surgical nurses is high, and forecasts indicate that the need will grow further in the coming years. Despite this, the recruitment situation can be paradoxical: there are both difficulties in finding the right skills and some turnover within the profession. Challenges often include meeting high demands for competence and resilience, with the work environment being tough due to long shifts and emergency situations. The shortage of experienced surgical nurses leads to intense competition for qualified personnel, which can impact workload and working conditions.

Tips for aspiring surgical nurses

To succeed as a surgical nurse, patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure are essential. Developing good communication skills and teamwork are crucial, as the work is team-based and requires clear dialogue with colleagues and patients. Precision and a love of structure help manage responsibilities in sterile environments and with advanced equipment. Flexibility and adaptability are valuable during rapid changes and unforeseen events in the operating room. Commitment to continuous professional development is also important, as new methods and technologies can quickly change daily routines. An empathetic attitude and sensitivity to patient needs strengthen relationships with both patients and colleagues.

Key facts about Surgical Nurse

Education level: Nursing degree + specialist training (4 years total)
Salary range: 47,600–56,000 SEK/month
Average salary: 51 000 SEK/month
Work environment: Operating room, high pace, team work
Demand: Great job opportunities and increasing need

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a surgical nurse can choose to deepen their expertise through further education, such as becoming an anesthesia nurse, instrument coordinator, or training supervisor within surgical operations. Other career options include leadership roles like team leader or department manager, or working in clinical education and supervision of students. According to forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service, job opportunities are plentiful, and demand is expected to increase over the next five years, especially due to retirements and increased healthcare needs. With over 375 job openings in the field, competition for skilled workers remains high, indicating good development opportunities for those pursuing this career path.

Common questions about Surgical Nurse

What does a surgical nurse earn?
- A surgical nurse has an average salary of 51 000 SEK per month, with a range between 47,600 and 56,000 SEK depending on experience and employment type.
How to become a surgical nurse?
- First, a license as a registered nurse (3-year university education), then a 1-year specialized training in surgical care.
Are there salary differences between women and men?
- No, women and men generally have the same average salary within the profession.
What is the job market like for surgical nurses?
- Projections show great opportunities for employment and increasing demand for surgical nurses in the coming years.
What are the duties of a surgical nurse?
- Duties include preparing patients, assisting during surgeries, handling instruments, and monitoring patient condition.
What is the hourly wage for a surgical nurse?
- The average hourly wage is 300 SEK.

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 13:30:29

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		41100 kr	42600 kr
35-44		45300 kr	47300 kr
45-54		49600 kr	51900 kr
55-64		52000 kr	54900 kr
65-68		55300 kr	58600 kr
Snitt	102%	48700 kr	51000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	96%	40600 kr	42200 kr
35-44	98%	44800 kr	46900 kr
45-54	96%	49000 kr	51800 kr
55-64	101%	51800 kr	54900 kr
65-68	100%	54100 kr	56300 kr
Snitt	101%	48100 kr	50600 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
45-54		53800 kr	57700 kr
55-64		50600 kr	53100 kr
Snitt	109%	50100 kr	53200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	95%	40600 kr	42200 kr
35-44	98%	44800 kr	46900 kr
45-54	96%	48900 kr	51800 kr
55-64	101%	51800 kr	54900 kr
65-68	100%	54100 kr	56300 kr
Snitt	101%	48100 kr	50600 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt		51700 kr	52900 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt		51700 kr	52900 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt	102%	47300 kr	50300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	96%	41600 kr	44000 kr
35-44	98%	44800 kr	47700 kr
45-54	96%	49500 kr	54000 kr
55-64	101%	51700 kr	54500 kr
65-68	100%	53800 kr	56000 kr
Snitt	101%	47000 kr	50100 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt	109%	47200 kr	49500 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	95%	41700 kr	44100 kr
35-44	98%	44800 kr	47700 kr
45-54	96%	49400 kr	54000 kr
55-64	101%	51700 kr	54500 kr
65-68	100%	53800 kr	56000 kr
Snitt	101%	47000 kr	50100 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		41000 kr	42400 kr
35-44		45300 kr	47200 kr
45-54		49600 kr	51800 kr
55-64		52000 kr	54900 kr
65-68		55400 kr	58800 kr
Snitt	102%	48800 kr	51100 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	96%	40500 kr	42000 kr
35-44	98%	44800 kr	46800 kr
45-54	96%	48900 kr	51700 kr
55-64	101%	51800 kr	54900 kr
65-68	100%	54100 kr	56300 kr
Snitt	101%	48200 kr	50700 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
45-54		55600 kr	59900 kr
55-64		50600 kr	53100 kr
Snitt	109%	50800 kr	54100 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	95%	40500 kr	42000 kr
35-44	98%	44800 kr	46800 kr
45-54	96%	48900 kr	51600 kr
55-64	101%	51800 kr	54900 kr
65-68	100%	54100 kr	56300 kr
Snitt	101%	48100 kr	50600 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt		51700 kr	52900 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt		51700 kr	52900 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 2231, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.