How much does a Security guard make

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Security guard

34 300 kr

Security guards and bouncers

33 200 - 37 600 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Security guard

Average salary 34 300 kr
Males 34 600 kr
Females 33 500 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 55 Vacant jobs ->

What does a security guard do? – Tasks and work environment

Security guards work to monitor and protect critical societal facilities, buildings, and areas requiring special security. Tasks include verifying identities of individuals within protected zones, conducting patrols, monitoring cameras, and intervening in incidents. Collaboration with police and other authorities is common, especially if there is suspicion of crime or threats against protected sites. The work environment can vary between indoor and outdoor duties, day and night shifts, and situations demanding high alertness, stress tolerance, and decisive action.

Salary development over time

The salary for security guards has shown a steady upward trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,900 SEK per month, increasing to 32 800 in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has reached 34 300, representing an approximate 7.5% increase over three years. The main reason for this development is increased demand for security personnel, especially given societal development and heightened security requirements. The job market is characterized by recruitment difficulties, which also contributes to positive salary growth. Despite this, gender pay gaps remain noticeable, although they have decreased somewhat over time.

Security guard salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 34 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 33,200 SEK/month (female, regional sector, three-year high school education)
  • Highest salary: 37,600 SEK/month (female, public sector, pre-high school education)
  • Hourly wage: 206 SEK
  • Women: 33 500 SEK/month (97% of men's average)
  • Men: 34 600 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Small but present differences between public and regional sectors

Education and qualifications

To work as a security guard, a basic security guard training is required, followed by a specialized security guard training provided by authorized trainers. The training includes theoretical and practical components, such as legislation, security technology, and intervention techniques. Eligibility requires Swedish citizenship, a clean criminal record, and a health check.

  • Basic security guard training: Approximately 2 weeks
  • Security guard training: Additional 1–2 weeks after basic training
  • Certification: Approved training and examination by the police authority
  • Prerequisites: Swedish citizenship, clean record, good health
  • Continuing education: Recurring competence tests and training sessions

A security guard is one of the few civilian professions where legislation permits carrying certain equipment and using powers normally reserved for the police. This places high demands on ethics, judgment, and the ability to act correctly in stressful situations.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Security guards are often offered benefits such as overtime pay for evening and night shifts, wellness allowances, uniform allowances, and opportunities for further training. Pension schemes and insurance are also included in most employment contracts, especially within the public sector.

Challenges and competition

The job market for security guards is characterized by high demand but also significant recruitment difficulties. The profession faces a paradoxical situation where many employers seek staff, yet there is a relatively high proportion of part-time workers and individuals leaving the profession. The work environment demands physical and mental resilience, and security guards may need to handle threatening or stressful situations. Continuous training is necessary to maintain certification and authorization. Despite these challenges, many professionals find their work meaningful and fulfilling.

Tips for aspiring security guards

To succeed as a security guard, combining thoroughness with a strong sense of responsibility is beneficial. Good physical fitness facilitates long shifts and rapid responses. Being communicative and clear helps when engaging with the public and colleagues, especially when explaining rules or managing conflicts. Flexibility and stress resilience are crucial, as workdays can vary greatly, and unexpected events can occur quickly. A professional attitude and integrity are essential for building trust both internally and externally. It’s advisable to actively seek internships or part-time jobs in the security industry during studies to gain experience. Finally, staying updated on current laws and regulations within the security field is recommended.

Key facts about Security Guard

  • Education level: Security guard and protection officer training (total approx. 3–4 weeks)
  • Work environment: Varies – indoor and outdoor, often shift work
  • Demand: Large opportunities for employment nationwide
  • Number of job openings: 191 (May 2024)
  • Special skills: Legislation, security technology, conflict management

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years as a security guard, there are opportunities to advance to supervisory roles, trainers within the security sector, or specialized positions within security companies and authorities. It is also common for security guards to further train as security officers or apply for police training. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast, job opportunities for guards and security officers are expected to be strong over the next five years, with demand remaining stable. The profession thus offers good long-term prospects for those seeking a career in security and surveillance.

Frequently asked questions about Security Guard

  • What does a security guard earn?
    - The average salary is 34 300 SEK per month, with variations depending on sector, gender, and experience.
  • What education is required to become a security guard?
    - Basic security guard training and specialized security guard training are required, including approval by the police authority.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 97% of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the job market like for security guards?
    - There are good employment opportunities and high demand, with 191 job openings reported in May 2024.
  • What are the duties of a security guard?
    - Security guards monitor protected sites, check identities, patrol, and intervene in incidents.
  • What is the difference between a security guard and a security officer?
    - Security guards have special authority and work at protected sites, while security officers perform more general security tasks.
  • What personal qualities are important for a security guard?
    - Attention to detail, sense of responsibility, stress resilience, and good communication skills are especially important.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 10:44:44

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Security guard is 37600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a pre-secondary education, 9 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 36100 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Security guard is 33200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Regional sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 34200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 29900 kr 32900 kr
25-34 97% 31500 kr 34500 kr
35-44 96% 32200 kr 35000 kr
45-54 97% 32200 kr 35000 kr
55-64 97% 31700 kr 34500 kr
65-68 32100 kr 34300 kr
Snitt 97% 31400 kr 34300 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 Security guard has the SSYK code 5413, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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