How much does a Lock guard make

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Lock guard

40 200 kr

Transport managers and coordinators

37 400 - 42 400 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Transport

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Lock guard

Average salary 40 200 kr
Males 40 900 kr
Females 38 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 55 Vacant jobs ->

What does a lock keeper do? – Tasks and work environment

A lock keeper is responsible for monitoring and operating locks, ensuring that boat traffic can pass safely and efficiently. The role includes technical and service-oriented tasks, often outdoors and involving shift work around the clock. The lock keeper communicates with both commercial shipping and recreational boats, and an important part of the job is clear communication with crews and following safety routines. Tasks may also include basic maintenance, traffic documentation, and incident or deviation reporting.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for lock keepers has shown steady growth. In 2022, the average salary was 37,100 SEK per month, increasing to 39 000 SEK in 2023, and reaching 40 200 SEK in 2024. This development represents an approximate 8.4% increase over three years. The salary increase is partly explained by higher demand for safe and efficient maritime transport management and general adjustments within collective agreements. Although the salary trend is positive, it has been slightly lower than in some other transport professions, possibly due to the specialized nature of the tasks and limited competition. Gender differences persist, but the overall trend indicates a slow convergence.

Lock keeper salary – a complete overview

  • Average salary: 40 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 37,400 SEK/month (female, private sector, high school education)
  • Highest salary: 42,400 SEK/month (male, public sector, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Hourly wage: 242 SEK/hour (based on 166 hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Men earn 40 900 SEK, women 38 400 SEK (94% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Salary ranges and working conditions may vary depending on geographic area and employer type

Education and qualifications

To work as a lock keeper, a high school diploma is usually required, often with a focus on technology, transportation, or shipping. Some employers require specific safety and communication courses, and practical experience from similar environments can be advantageous. The educational path is relatively short and often supplemented with on-the-job training.

  • High school diploma: Technology, transportation, or shipping programs, 3 years
  • Certifications/courses: Safety training, radio communication, first aid
  • Internship/trainee: Practical introduction at the workplace is common
  • Prerequisites: Good physical condition, accuracy, and sense of responsibility
  • Self-study/online: Some employers offer web-based training in areas like environment and safety

Many lock keepers have the opportunity to work at different locations during the season, providing a unique insight into Sweden's waterways and boat traffic. It is a profession that combines technology, service, and nature experiences in a unique way.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Lock keepers are often covered by collective agreements, which include occupational pensions, extra vacation, overtime pay for unsocial hours, and insurance coverage for accidents and illnesses. In some cases, wellness contributions and opportunities for professional development are offered by the employer.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a lock keeper is characterized by a balanced labor market where supply and demand are in equilibrium. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts for the profession of transport managers and logistics coordinators, demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. Challenges often include managing fluctuating workloads during peak seasons, working outdoors in varying weather conditions, and maintaining high safety standards for staff and traffic. Digitalization and automation may change tasks in the future, but personal presence and experience remain central to the role.

Tips for those who want to become a lock keeper

To succeed as a lock keeper, it is beneficial to combine technical interest with good service skills and stress resilience. Attention to detail helps quickly identify and handle deviations in the lock environment, while good communication skills facilitate cooperation with colleagues and boat traffic. Flexibility and the ability to work irregular hours are important qualities, as well as taking responsibility for safety on site. Practical experience from similar environments, such as transportation or logistics, is advantageous and shows that you have the prerequisites to quickly grasp the tasks. Demonstrating engagement and willingness to learn new routines facilitates onboarding and increases chances of permanent employment. Finally, it is important to enjoy outdoor work and have a positive attitude towards varied tasks.

Key facts about the lock keeper

  • Salary range: 37,400–42,400 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school (technology/transport)
  • Work environment: Outdoors, shift work, safety-focused
  • Demand: Moderate, balanced labor market
  • Job openings: 412 within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience as a lock keeper, there are opportunities to advance to more responsible roles within transport management or maritime logistics. Some choose to further their education to become supervisors or instructors in maritime safety. The Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast indicates a stable job market with medium opportunities and unchanged demand over five years. Those wishing to broaden their knowledge in logistics, technology, or leadership have good opportunities for further development in the industry.

Frequently asked questions about the lock keeper

  • What does a lock keeper earn?
    - The average salary for a lock keeper is 40 200 SEK per month.
  • Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
    - Yes, men earn an average of 40 900 SEK while women earn 38 400 SEK, which is 94% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a lock keeper?
    - High school education with a focus on technology, transportation, or shipping is most common, along with internal safety training.
  • What is the work environment like for a lock keeper?
    - The work is often outdoors, involves shift work, and requires high safety and attention to detail.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - The job market is balanced, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • How many job openings are available within the profession?
    - There are 412 available jobs in the profession of transport managers and logistics coordinators.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Collective agreements, occupational pension, overtime pay, wellness contributions, and insurance are common benefits.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-05 11:46:00

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Lock guard is 42400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 42000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Lock guard is 37400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Private sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 40400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 108% 31500 kr 33700 kr
25-34 95% 37100 kr 38500 kr
35-44 94% 38800 kr 40500 kr
45-54 93% 39200 kr 41200 kr
55-64 93% 40300 kr 42300 kr
65-68 37300 kr 38700 kr
Snitt 94% 38400 kr 40200 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 Lock guard has the SSYK code 4323, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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