Salary progression Social Secretary

Average salary 41 600 kr
Males 41 100 kr
Females 41 700 kr

What does a social worker do? – Tasks and work environment

A social worker supports and helps people in vulnerable situations. The work involves investigation, assessment, and decisions regarding interventions for children, youth, adults, and families according to social services law. Common tasks include conversations with clients, collaboration with other authorities, and preparing individual action plans. The work environment is often characterized by a fast pace, varied cases, and requirements for good documentation. The work is often conducted at social offices, but home visits and meetings in the community are also part of the role.

Salary development over time

The salary for social workers has shown stable and positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 37,500 SEK per month, increasing to 40 300 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary continued upward to 41 600 SEK. This represents a total salary increase of approximately 7.5% over three years. This development reflects both increased responsibilities in the role and a continued high demand for social workers in the public sector. The growth has also been influenced by the labor market’s need for qualified staff and some staff shortages in certain regions.

Social worker salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 41 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,800 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 54,300 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 242 SEK
  • Women: 41 700 SEK/month
  • Men: 41 100 SEK/month
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 102% of what men do
  • Regional differences: Salaries vary depending on region and employer, with metropolitan areas often offering slightly higher wages than smaller towns

Education and qualifications

To work as a social worker, a degree in social work from a university or college is generally required. The education provides knowledge in social work, law, and communication techniques. Internships are usually included in the program, providing opportunities to gain work experience during studies. Additional courses in areas such as child and youth services, substance abuse, or authority practice can be advantageous depending on the specialization.

  • Formal education: Bachelor’s in social work (3.5 years)
  • Internship: Practice-based training (VFU) included
  • Further education: Courses in child protection, addiction treatment, or supervision
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for university studies
  • Tips for choosing: Select specialization and internship based on desired work area

Many social workers develop deep specialist knowledge in areas such as child protection, addiction, or economic assistance. This makes the profession both varied and rewarding, with good opportunities to deepen expertise and change focus during your career.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Social workers are often covered by collective agreements and offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, professional development, and flexible working hours. In some cases, employers may also provide extra vacation days, supervision, and further training as part of the employment.

Challenges and competition

The labor market for social workers is characterized by balance, but some regions face shortages of experienced candidates. Challenges in the profession include high documentation requirements, complex cases, and sometimes a stressful work environment with high workload. The role can also involve emotionally demanding situations, requiring handling tough life stories and making difficult decisions. Employers seek both formal competence and personal maturity.

Tips for aspiring social workers

To succeed as a social worker, it is good to combine strong analytical skills with the ability to empathize with people. Being organized and able to handle many cases simultaneously, while having the courage to make tough decisions, is important. Flexibility and stress resilience are valuable qualities, especially when workload is high and situations change quickly. Developing clear communication skills facilitates collaboration with colleagues and clients, and a genuine engagement with social issues is often crucial for long-term satisfaction. Taking advantage of internship opportunities and seeking supervision from experienced colleagues also provides a valuable foundation for future development.

Key facts about social workers

  • Education level: Bachelor’s in social work (3.5 years)
  • Work environment: Office-based with fieldwork and high pace
  • Typical employment: Full-time, daytime, public sector
  • Demand: Moderate but increasing, 237 job openings nationwide
  • Special expertise: Child protection, addiction treatment, authority practice

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a social worker, there are opportunities to specialize further in areas such as children and youth, addiction, or family law. It is also possible to advance into leadership roles such as team leader or unit manager. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast, the opportunities for employment as a social worker are currently moderate, but demand is expected to increase over the next five years. The recruitment situation is described as balanced, meaning good chances of employment for qualified and experienced individuals in the field.

Frequently asked questions about social workers

  • What is the average salary of a social worker?
    - The average salary for a social worker is 41 600 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a social worker?
    - A degree in social work from a university or college is required.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 102% of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the job market outlook for social workers?
    - The job market is balanced nationally, but demand is expected to increase in the coming years.
  • What are the lowest and highest salaries for a social worker?
    - The lowest salary is 34,800 SEK and the highest is 54,300 SEK per month.
  • What personal qualities are important in the profession?
    - Empathy, stress resilience, organization, and good communication skills are central qualities.
  • Do social workers mainly work in the public sector?
    - Yes, the majority are employed within municipal or government activities.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Social Secretary is 54300 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 52000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Social Secretary is 37600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 38300 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 34600 kr 34900 kr
25-34 101% 38600 kr 38900 kr
35-44 102% 41900 kr 42300 kr
45-54 105% 43700 kr 44100 kr
55-64 101% 43900 kr 44400 kr
65-68 45100 kr 45900 kr
Snitt 102% 41300 kr 41600 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 Social Secretary has the SSYK code 2661, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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