- Salary statistics
- Special optician
Special optician
41 000 - 46 500 kr / month
Women earn 113% of what men do.
Hälso- & sjukvård
Salary progression Special optician
What does a Specialoptiker do? – Tasks and work environment
A Specialoptiker works with advanced vision examinations and adaptations of visual aids for individuals with special needs, such as eye diseases or visual impairments. Tasks include in-depth analysis of visual problems, fitting of specialized glasses, contact lenses, and other optical aids, as well as collaboration with ophthalmologists and other healthcare specialists. The work environment is usually clinical, in private or public healthcare, where the Specialoptiker encounters both children and adults with complex needs. A careful, empathetic, and methodical approach is often required as each patient has individual challenges and solutions.
Salary development over time
The salary for a Specialoptiker has shown a stable and positive development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 41,700 SEK per month, increasing to 43 600 SEK in 2023 and continuing upward to 45 800 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 9.8% over the period. The rise reflects increased demand for specialist competence in optics, especially for advanced vision care and assistive device adaptation. Contributing factors include demographic trends, a growing need for specialist care for the elderly, and technological advances in the optical industry requiring higher education levels and specialization.
Specialoptiker salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 45 800 SEK/month
- Minimum salary: 41,000 SEK/month (men), 44,700 SEK/month (women)
- Maximum salary: 46,500 SEK/month
- Hourly wage: 275 SEK
- Women’s salary as a percentage of men’s: 113%
- Regional differences: No specific statistics available, but salaries may vary slightly depending on location and employer.
Education and qualifications
To work as a Specialoptiker, a solid education in optometry is required, often supplemented with further training and practical experience in special optics. It is common to start with an optometry degree and then specialize through advanced studies and certification in the field. Internships or supervised positions are also an important part of achieving full specialist competence.
- Optometry degree: 3-year university program
- Further training in special optics: 1–2 years
- Certification: Recommended in niche areas, e.g., low vision or pediatric optometry
- Internship/supervised practice: In specialized vision care
- Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for university studies, mathematics, and science
Specialoptiker often encounter patients with very unique vision problems and need to be creative problem solvers. The profession involves close collaboration with both patients and other specialists, making it particularly rewarding for those who appreciate interdisciplinary challenges.
Common benefits and compensations
Specialoptiker often have access to benefits such as wellness allowances, occupational pension, and further training support. Many employers also offer flexible working hours, professional development, and opportunities to attend conferences or industry seminars. Private health insurance is available with some employers, especially in the private sector.
Competition and challenges
The competition within the Specialoptiker profession is relatively low, as it requires a high level of specialization and additional training beyond the basic optometry degree. Challenges mainly involve staying updated with rapid technological developments and new treatment methods in optics and vision care. Since the profession is small, it can sometimes be difficult to find dedicated specialist positions outside larger cities. At the same time, good collaboration skills and the ability to handle patients with complex vision issues are essential, demanding both technical and social competence. The demand for Specialoptiker is expected to remain stable due to an aging population and increasing need for specialized care.
Tips for aspiring Specialoptiker
To succeed as a Specialoptiker, it’s beneficial to combine technical precision with empathy and curiosity. Developing good communication skills facilitates cooperation with patients and colleagues, especially when explaining advanced vision solutions. Analytical ability is important for quickly identifying and understanding complex vision problems, while patience and responsiveness help when working with patients who may be uncertain or have special needs. Staying updated on new technical aids and seeking further training when possible are also valuable. Engagement in industry forums and networks can open doors to new career paths and provide insights into the latest developments in special optics.
Key facts about a Specialoptiker
- Average salary: 45 800 SEK/month
- Minimum salary: 41,000 SEK/month (men), 44,700 SEK/month (women)
- Maximum salary: 46,500 SEK/month
- Education level: Optometry degree + further training (4–5 years)
- Number of job openings: 375
Career paths and outlook
After three to five years in the profession, a Specialoptiker can advance to leadership roles within vision centers or clinics, become an educator in optometry, or work as a consultant on development projects for new visual aids. There are also opportunities to further specialize in areas such as pediatric optometry or vision rehabilitation. The future prospects are considered stable, although the Employment Service does not provide a specific forecast for the profession due to limited data. Overall, the demand for specialist competence remains high, with currently 375 job openings, indicating good employment prospects moving forward.
Common questions about a Specialoptiker
- What is the average salary of a Specialoptiker?
- The average salary is 45 800 SEK per month. - What are the minimum and maximum salaries for a Specialoptiker?
- Minimum is 41,000 SEK (men) and 44,700 SEK (women), maximum is 46,500 SEK for both genders. - What are the gender differences in salaries for a Specialoptiker?
- Women earn an average of 46,500 SEK and men 41,000 SEK, which means women earn 113% of men's salaries. - What education is required to become a Specialoptiker?
- An optometry degree (3 years) plus additional training in special optics (1–2 years). - What is the job market like for a Specialoptiker?
- Currently, there are 375 job openings with stable demand for specialist skills. - Where do Specialoptiker typically work?
- Most work in vision centers, eye clinics, private practices, or as consultants. - Are there regional salary differences for a Specialoptiker?
- There may be some regional variations depending on location and employer, but no detailed statistics are available.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39900 kr | 41200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45200 kr | 46500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 0 kr | 48500 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 44700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39900 kr | 41200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45200 kr | 46500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 0 kr | 48500 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 44700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39900 kr | 41200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45200 kr | 46500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 0 kr | 48500 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 44700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 113% | 40000 kr | 41000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 113% | 40000 kr | 41000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 113% | 40000 kr | 41000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39700 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 44700 kr | 46100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 52900 kr | 53300 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 45400 kr | 46500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39700 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 44700 kr | 46100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 52900 kr | 53300 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 45400 kr | 46500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39700 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 44700 kr | 46100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 52900 kr | 53300 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 45400 kr | 46500 kr |
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 Special optician has the SSYK code 2284, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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