How much does a City Director make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. City Director
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City Director

115 200 kr

General, county and municipal directors etc.

94 800 - 175 300 kr / month

Women earn 99% of what men do.

Chefer & ledare

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression City Director

Average salary 115 200 kr
Males 115 800 kr
Females 114 700 kr
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What does a City Director do? – Tasks and work environment

A City Director is the highest civil servant in a municipality and functions as the leader of the municipal administrative organization. The role involves coordinating and leading strategic work, ensuring political decisions are implemented, and that the municipality's resources are used efficiently. The City Director has overall responsibility for finances, operational development, and personnel, and is often the link between politicians and the civil service organization. The work environment is characterized by a high pace, many meetings, and a large responsibility for the municipality's long-term development. The work primarily takes place in an office, but involves regular contact with politicians, businesses, and citizens.

Salary development over time

The salary for a City Director has increased significantly over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 102400 SEK per month, which increased to 109 000 SEK in 2023 and has now reached 115 200 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total increase of nearly 13% over the three-year period, which is considerably higher than the average wage growth on the labor market. The reasons for this salary increase include increased competition for experienced leaders, higher demands for strategic leadership, and a general trend towards larger municipal organizations. The demand for qualified City Directors has also increased, further pushing up salaries.

City Director salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 115 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (men): 94,800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (women): 108,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary (men): 175,300 SEK/month
  • Highest salary (women): 166,900 SEK/month
  • Average salary men: 115 800 SEK/month
  • Average salary women: 114 700 SEK/month
  • Women’s salary as a percentage of men’s: 99%
  • Hourly wage (average): 693 SEK

Education and qualifications

To work as a City Director, a longer academic degree is usually required, often in political science, economics, law, or social sciences. In addition to formal education, relevant leadership experience from the public sector or larger organizations is valued. Many City Directors have also completed leadership training and built a broad network within municipal operations.

  • Academic degree: Usually a master's/bachelor's (4-5 years) in political science, economics, or law
  • Leadership training: Specialized programs or courses in public administration
  • Experience: Several years of managerial experience, often at the administrative or department level
  • Networking: Active participation in industry organizations and municipal networks
  • Recruitment process: Often extensive with tests and interviews

A role as a City Director often involves being the face of the entire municipality and handling complex situations where social interests, politics, and economics intersect. The role requires high integrity and the ability to navigate public debates.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

City Directors often enjoy benefits such as occupational pension, generous vacation terms, wellness allowances, and sometimes company cars. In addition to the base salary, performance bonuses may be included, especially in larger municipalities. Business trips and further training are often part of the employment conditions.

Competition and challenges

The competition for roles as a City Director is significant, and selection is often through lengthy and thorough recruitment processes. The challenges include not only leading large organizations but also balancing political demands, citizen interests, and economic frameworks. The role often involves bearing great responsibility where decisions can have long-term consequences for the entire municipality. Expectations for transparency, leadership, and change management are high. At the same time, it is a position where public criticism and media scrutiny are common.

Tips for aspiring City Directors

To succeed as a City Director, it is beneficial to combine analytical skills with strong leadership and good communication abilities. Building a broad network within both the public and private sectors increases opportunities and provides valuable insights into societal development. Gaining experience early in leading larger projects, preferably in complex and changing environments, provides a solid foundation. Initiative and perseverance are crucial qualities, as is the ability to handle stress and make decisions under pressure. Continuously furthering education in public administration and leadership enhances competitiveness. Finally, demonstrating integrity and trustworthiness in all roles is essential for creating the conditions for a future top position.

Key facts about City Directors

  • Average salary: 115 200 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 94,800–175,300 SEK/month
  • Education level: Master's/bachelor's, often in political science, economics, or law
  • Work environment: Office-based, high pace, leadership role
  • Demand: 175 job openings within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years as a City Director, opportunities open up for roles such as regional director, general director for government agencies, or leadership positions within larger municipal or private organizations. Many advance to advisory roles within the public sector or work as consultants in leadership and societal development. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, future prospects remain good, with stable demand for experienced leaders in municipal administration. The number of job openings in the profession is relatively high, indicating a continuous need for qualified candidates.

Frequently asked questions about City Directors

  • What does a City Director earn?
    - The average salary for a City Director is 115 200 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a City Director?
    - A longer academic degree, often a master's or bachelor's in political science, economics, or law, along with several years of managerial experience.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, but the difference is small. Women earn on average 99% of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the work environment like for a City Director?
    - The work environment is office-based and characterized by a high pace, many meetings, and great responsibility.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - Demand remains high, with many job openings within the profession and good career opportunities.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a City Director?
    - The highest salary is 175,300 SEK and the lowest 94,800 SEK per month, depending on experience, education, and sector.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 04:09:14

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a City Director is 175300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 166900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a City Director is 94800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 108400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
45-54 99% 107900 kr 109000 kr
55-64 100% 116900 kr 118300 kr
Snitt 99% 113800 kr 115200 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 City Director has the SSYK code 1112, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Net salary
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Fees
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* Updated with 2025 taxes

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