How much does a Nurse, psychiatric care make

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

Nurse, psychiatric care

33 600 kr

Nurses

30 800 - 37 100 kr / month

Women earn 99% of what men do.

Hälso- & sjukvård

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Nurse, psychiatric care

Average salary 33 600 kr
Males 33 700 kr
Females 33 500 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 3 Vacant jobs ->

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

A psychiatric care assistant works closely with patients experiencing various mental health conditions, often within inpatient care, outpatient care, or specialized treatment homes. Tasks include supporting patients in daily activities, providing emotional support, and helping create a safe and structured environment. Care assistants collaborate with nurses, doctors, and other professionals to ensure the best possible care and treatment. The work can be physically and mentally demanding, with shift work and sometimes night and weekend duties, requiring high stress resilience and empathy.

Salary development over time

The salary for psychiatric care assistants has shown stable and positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,300 SEK per month, increasing to 32 400 SEK in 2023 and further to 33 600 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 7.3% during the period, which is above the average for many other healthcare professions. The salary increase can be explained by increased demand for qualified personnel in psychiatry and ongoing focus on work environment and skills development. Gender differences have been minimal, with women earning 99% of men's salaries, indicating a relatively equal wage structure within the profession.

Psychiatric care assistant salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 33 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 30,800 SEK (female, public sector)
  • Highest salary: 37,100 SEK (female, municipal sector, research education)
  • Hourly wage: 202 SEK
  • Men's average salary: 33 700 SEK
  • Women's average salary: 33 500 SEK (99% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Salaries may vary depending on region and employer

Education and qualifications

To work as a psychiatric care assistant, a high school diploma with a focus on healthcare and care is usually required, supplemented with specialized courses in psychiatry. Practical experience in the healthcare sector is often advantageous, and some employers also require specific certifications or further training. There are also opportunities to specialize through higher education or continuing education within psychiatric care.

  • Education: Care and Welfare Program (3 years, upper secondary level)
  • Specialized courses: Psychiatry and mental health
  • Internship: Workplace-based learning (APL) during training
  • Certifications: Some employers require further training in psychiatry
  • Prerequisites: Good knowledge of Swedish and basic healthcare knowledge

Working as a psychiatric care assistant often means becoming an important source of safety for patients in vulnerable situations. Many describe it as a profession where small progress can mean a lot, both for the patient and the staff. A good ability to listen and build trust is crucial in daily work.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Psychiatric care assistants are often offered various benefits beyond base salary, such as overtime pay for evening, night, and weekend work, wellness grants, skills development, and opportunities for further training. In some regions, extra vacation days, occupational pension, and subsidized lunches may also be available. Collective agreements often provide a secure foundation for employment conditions.

Competition and challenges

The job market for psychiatric care assistants is characterized by continued demand, with 375 available jobs within the profession according to current data. However, competition can vary regionally, especially in metropolitan areas where more people seek the profession. One of the biggest challenges is the high demands on psychosocial skills and the ability to handle stressful situations. The work environment can be challenging both emotionally and physically, requiring strong personal maturity and the ability to set boundaries. Staff shortages and sometimes resource constraints within psychiatry can also impact the workload.

Tips for those aspiring to become a psychiatric care assistant

To succeed as a psychiatric care assistant, it is helpful to have an open mind and a genuine desire to help others. Developing good communication skills facilitates cooperation with both patients and colleagues, while patience and responsiveness are essential qualities when meeting people in vulnerable situations. Practical experience from the healthcare sector during training provides valuable insight into the profession’s daily life. Being flexible and adaptable makes it easier in an environment where each day can bring new challenges. Teamwork and a stable self-image are important factors for long-term sustainability, especially when working in teams and under pressure. Continuing education and staying updated on new methods within psychiatric care is also a great advantage.

Key facts about psychiatric care assistants

  • Education level: High school diploma with a focus on healthcare and care
  • Work environment: Inpatient care, outpatient care, and treatment homes
  • Demand: 375 available jobs within the profession
  • Gender distribution: Very small salary differences between genders
  • Typical work arrangement: Shift work with on-call, evening, and weekend shifts

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, there are opportunities to advance to supervisory roles, such as coordinator or team leader within psychiatric care. Further education can also open doors to positions as a treatment assistant, psychiatric nurse, or specialist in various treatment methods. According to the Employment Service, no detailed forecast is made for the profession due to limited data, but the overall demand for psychiatric care assistants remains strong. There are also opportunities to work in different settings, such as forensic psychiatry or substance abuse care, offering broad career paths and specialization options.

Frequently asked questions about psychiatric care assistants

  • What does a psychiatric care assistant earn?
    - The average salary is 33 600 SEK per month.
  • How to become a psychiatric care assistant?
    - Through high school education with a focus on healthcare and care, plus specialization in psychiatry.
  • Is there a difference in salary between men and women?
    - Women earn 99% of men's salaries, which corresponds to an average of 33 500 SEK versus 33 700 SEK for men.
  • What does the job market look like?
    - There are 375 available jobs within the profession according to the latest data.
  • What is the highest salary for a psychiatric care assistant?
    - The highest salary is 37,100 SEK and is held by a woman in the municipal sector with research education.
  • What is required to work as a psychiatric care assistant?
    - High school diploma, specialized courses in psychiatry, and sometimes further training or certification.
  • Do you work shifts?
    - Yes, shift work with on-call, evenings, and weekends is common.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 14:48:54

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Nurse, psychiatric care is 37100 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Municipal sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 35600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Nurse, psychiatric care is 30800 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 31100 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 97% 25000 kr 29800 kr
25-34 98% 27900 kr 32300 kr
35-44 100% 29400 kr 33200 kr
45-54 98% 30200 kr 34200 kr
55-64 100% 30900 kr 34700 kr
65-68 99% 31200 kr 35700 kr
Snitt 99% 29500 kr 33600 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 5341, 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