Image that illustrates Director of Health

Director of Health

115 200 kr

General, county and municipal directors etc.

94 800 - 175 300 kr / month

Women earn 99% of what men do.

Chefer & ledare

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Director of Health

Average salary 115 200 kr
Males 115 800 kr
Females 114 700 kr

What does a Healthcare Director do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Healthcare Director is responsible for leading large parts of healthcare at regional or local levels. The work includes overall management of operations, budget responsibility, strategic planning, and ensuring that care meets high quality standards and legal requirements. The role also involves leading and developing the organization, making decisions about resource allocation, and collaborating with politicians, officials, and external stakeholders. The work environment is often intense, with a fast pace and many parallel tasks, where decision-making and communication are central parts of daily life.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary for Healthcare Directors has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 102400 SEK per month, rising to 109 000 SEK in 2023 and reaching 115 200 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of almost 13% over the three-year period, marking a significant salary development compared to many other managerial roles within the public sector. This rise can partly be explained by increased competition for qualified managers, the complexity of healthcare governance, and growing responsibilities for financial and organizational development. The demand for experienced leaders in healthcare has also contributed to higher salaries, especially in metropolitan regions where competition for expertise is fierce.

Healthcare Director Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average Salary: 115 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest Salary: 94,800 SEK/month (men), 108,400 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest Salary: 175,300 SEK/month (men), 166,900 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly Rate (average): 693 SEK
  • Gender Gap: Women earn 99% of what men do (men 115 800 SEK, women 114 700 SEK)
  • Regional Differences: Higher salaries in metropolitan regions, lower in smaller regions

Education and Qualifications

To become a Healthcare Director, a university-level degree in fields such as medicine, healthcare, economics, or social sciences is usually required, often supplemented with leadership training. Extensive experience in healthcare and documented management background are highly valued. Many have also completed specialized training in public administration or healthcare management.

  • Academic Degree: Usually a master's or postgraduate degree (4–5 years) in a relevant field
  • Leadership Training: Courses or programs at an advanced level
  • Practical Experience: Several years in managerial or leadership roles within healthcare
  • Additional Certifications: Public administration, health economics, or change management
  • Prerequisites: Prior work experience in healthcare, often as a manager

Working as a Healthcare Director often involves navigating between political decisions, economic frameworks, and patient needs. The role therefore requires strong diplomatic skills and a genuine interest in societal development.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Perks

Healthcare Directors often have access to benefits such as occupational pension, wellness contributions, private health insurance, flexible working hours, and sometimes company cars. Additional vacation days and opportunities for professional development through courses and conferences are also common.

Competition and Challenges

The competition for positions as Healthcare Director is high, as the number of available roles is limited and requirements for experience and education are extensive. The role involves significant challenges in balancing financial resources, personnel issues, and quality standards within healthcare. There is also constant pressure from political decisions, changing regulations, and high expectations from employees and patients. Leading change and managing complex stakeholder relationships are central parts of the job, requiring strategic thinking and high stress tolerance.

Tips for Aspiring Healthcare Directors

To succeed as a Healthcare Director, it is beneficial to develop strong leadership skills and the ability to make quick, well-founded decisions under pressure. Being communicative and clear helps in managing both internal and external relationships. Analytical thinking facilitates handling complex economic or organizational decisions. It is also important to show integrity and empathy, as the role often involves managing sensitive personnel and patient issues. Building a network within healthcare and administration can be crucial for gaining insight into current challenges and opportunities. The ability to manage change and inspire others in the organization is key to long-term success.

Key Facts about Healthcare Directors

  • Average Salary: 115 200 SEK/month
  • Salary Range: 94,800–175,300 SEK/month
  • Gender Gap: Women earn 99% of men's salary
  • Education: Advanced university degree and extensive experience
  • Work Environment: High workload, strategic responsibility, and many contacts

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years as a Healthcare Director, opportunities open up for senior management roles within larger organizations, such as regional director, general director, or higher government positions. Experienced Healthcare Directors are also recruited for consultancy assignments or board positions within the healthcare sector. The future prospects are considered stable, with continued demand for qualified leaders according to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts. Currently, there are 175 available jobs in the profession, indicating a good but competitive job market, especially in metropolitan regions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Healthcare Directors

  • What does a Healthcare Director earn?
    - A Healthcare Director has an average salary of 115 200 SEK per month, with a range between 94,800 and 175,300 SEK depending on experience, education, and sector.
  • Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
    - Yes, women earn on average 99% of what men do in the profession. Men have an average salary of 115 800 SEK and women 114 700 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a Healthcare Director?
    - An advanced academic degree in a relevant field and several years of leadership experience within healthcare are required.
  • What is the job market like for Healthcare Directors?
    - The job market is competitive but stable, with 175 available positions according to recent data.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Leadership skills, stress resilience, analytical thinking, and good communication skills are essential.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Yes, salaries are generally higher in metropolitan regions compared to smaller areas.
  • What career paths are available after a few years in the profession?
    - Careers can lead to roles such as regional director, general director, or board member within the sector.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Director of Health is 175300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 166900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Director of Health is 94800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 108400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
45-54 99% 107900 kr 109000 kr
55-64 100% 116900 kr 118300 kr
Snitt 99% 113800 kr 115200 kr
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 Director of Health has the SSYK code 1112, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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