How much does a Nurse, psychiatric care make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Nurse, psychiatric care
Image that illustrates Nurse, psychiatric care

Nurse, psychiatric care

46 900 kr

Psychiatric nurses

44 000 - 51 000 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Hälso- & sjukvård

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Nurse, psychiatric care

Average salary 46 900 kr
Males 47 900 kr
Females 46 700 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 17 Vacant jobs ->

What does a nurse in psychiatric care do? – Tasks and work environment

A nurse in psychiatric care is responsible for providing care, support, and treatment to patients with mental illnesses or mental disabilities. The work involves assessing patients' mental and physical states, administering medications, participating in treatment planning, and collaborating with relatives and other healthcare staff. The work environment is often characterized by a fast pace and varied tasks, where both independent responsibility and teamwork are central. Many work in psychiatric wards or clinics, but there are also opportunities within outpatient care and municipal services.

Salary development over time

The salary for a nurse in psychiatric care has shown a clear upward trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 41,400 SEK per month, rising to 44 700 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has increased further to 46 900 SEK, which is an increase of about 13.3% over three years. This development reflects increased demand for specialist competence in psychiatry as well as general wage improvements in the healthcare sector. The shortage of experienced psychiatric nurses and the need to retain staff have likely contributed to the salary increases, with employers competing for qualified personnel.

Psychiatric nurse salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 46 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 44,000 SEK/month (female, public sector)
  • Highest salary: 51,000 SEK/month (male, municipal sector)
  • Hourly wage (average): 282 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 98% of what men do (men: 47 900 SEK, women: 46 700 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on region and employer

Education and qualifications

To work as a nurse specializing in psychiatric care, a license as a nurse is required, followed by further education in psychiatry. The educational pathway includes both theoretical and practical components, where specialist training is central to gaining in-depth knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses, treatments, and patient interaction. Good reflection and collaboration skills are important qualities during the training process.

  • Basic education: Nursing degree (3 years, university or college)
  • Further education: Specialist nurse in psychiatric care (1 year, advanced level)
  • Licensing: Swedish nursing license required
  • Practical training: Clinical practice included in both basic and specialist training
  • Additional courses: Communication, crisis management, and medication management are often advantageous

Many psychiatric nurses work in interdisciplinary teams together with psychologists, social workers, and doctors. This provides opportunities for broad skill development and perspective exchange, which often contributes to an stimulating and varied workday.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Psychiatric nurses are often offered benefits such as extra vacation, paid further education, overtime pay for evening and weekend work, and wellness grants. Many employers also provide pension contributions and opportunities for skill development through internal training and supervision.

Competition and challenges

The job market for psychiatric nurses is characterized by high demand and recruitment difficulties, creating good employment opportunities. At the same time, the profession can be challenging due to complex patient cases, high workload, and the need for continuous competence development. Staff turnover is relatively high, partly due to work environment factors and the emotional engagement required. Handling acute situations and meeting patients in crisis demand high professionalism and personal maturity.

Tips for those wanting to become a psychiatric nurse

To succeed as a psychiatric nurse, it is good to enjoy teamwork and have a genuine desire to help people in vulnerable situations. Empathy and responsiveness are crucial for building trust and relationships with patients. Flexibility and stress tolerance facilitate handling varying workloads and unforeseen situations. Precision and responsibility are needed to manage medication and documentation safely. An open attitude towards further education and actively seeking supervision for professional development are valuable. Good communication skills and patience ease collaboration with colleagues, patients, and relatives. Finally, a high level of integrity and respect for patients' privacy and life situations is essential.

Key facts about Psychiatric Nurse

  • Salary range: 44,000–51,000 SEK/month
  • Education level: Nursing degree + specialist training (4 years)
  • Work environment: Hospitals, clinics, or municipal services
  • Demand: Great opportunities for employment, 375 available jobs nationally
  • Gender differences: Women earn 98% of what men do

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, there are good opportunities to advance to roles such as ward manager, coordinator, or clinical specialist within psychiatric care. Specialist competence also opens doors to work in research, education, or development projects. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, the opportunities for employment are large, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over five years. However, the recruitment situation is characterized by a paradox: there are both recruitment difficulties and some staff turnover, making employers eager to attract and retain qualified personnel.

Frequently asked questions about Psychiatric Nurse

  • What is the salary of a psychiatric nurse?
    - The average salary is 46 900 SEK per month, ranging between 44,000 and 51,000 SEK depending on experience and employer.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Men earn on average 47 900 SEK, women 46 700 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salary.
  • What education is required to work as a psychiatric nurse?
    - Licensing as a nurse (3 years) plus specialist training in psychiatric care (1 year).
  • What is the job market like for this profession?
    - Opportunities for employment are plentiful, with approximately 375 available jobs nationwide right now.
  • What benefits are common in this profession?
    - Extra vacation, overtime pay, wellness grants, and opportunities for further training are common.
  • How has salary development looked over recent years?
    - Salaries have increased from 41,400 SEK in 2022 to 46 900 SEK in 2024, an increase of about 13%.
  • Are there opportunities for career development?
    - Yes, advancement to managerial roles, clinical specialist positions, or work in research and education is possible.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 00:56:26

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Nurse, psychiatric care is 51000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 50100 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Nurse, psychiatric care is 44000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 45200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 39600 kr 41600 kr
35-44 93% 42800 kr 44600 kr
45-54 103% 47000 kr 48600 kr
55-64 96% 45400 kr 47600 kr
65-68 46400 kr 48900 kr
Snitt 98% 45000 kr 46900 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

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, psychiatric care has the SSYK code 2225, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Public Opinion

    Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    National Debt

    The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes

Explore more topics