How much does a Student priest make

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Student priest

50 800 kr

Priests

50 400 - 51 300 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Student priest

Average salary 50 800 kr
Males 51 300 kr
Females 50 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 6 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Student Priest do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Student Priest works to provide counseling, pastoral care, and guidance to students at universities and colleges. Tasks include individual conversations, leading devotions and services, as well as organizing themed evenings and group activities around existential questions and life choices. The Student Priest is often part of student health services and collaborates with other professionals such as counselors, psychologists, and study advisors. The work environment is varied and can range from private meetings in consultation rooms to participation in larger campus events. Flexibility and the ability to meet people in different life situations are central parts of the profession.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for a Student Priest has steadily increased. In 2022, the average salary was 46,400 SEK per month, which increased to 49 600 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has reached 50,800 SEK per month, corresponding to a total increase of approximately 9.5% over the period. This development reflects a growing demand for qualified priests within student health, as well as a general salary adjustment within the priest profession. Factors such as changing working conditions, increased focus on mental health, and competition for expertise have contributed to this positive trend. The salary increase has been steady, without major peaks or dips, indicating a stable job market for Student Priests.

Student Priest salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 50,800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 50,400 SEK/month (female)
  • Highest salary: 51,300 SEK/month (male, private sector employee)
  • Hourly wage (average): 306 SEK
  • Women earn: 50,400 SEK (98% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 51,300 SEK

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a Student Priest requires a degree in theology with ordination within the Church of Sweden or an equivalent denomination. In addition to formal education, experience in pastoral care and work with young adults is often demanded. The ability to handle existential and psychosocial issues is central, as well as good collaboration skills within interdisciplinary teams. Many Student Priests have supplementary training in conversational methodology or psychology.

  • Theology Bachelor's or Master's degree: 3–5 years
  • Ordination within the Church of Sweden or another recognized denomination
  • Additional courses in pastoral care, psychology, or conversational methodology
  • Practical training during education
  • Approved background check and references

Many Student Priests become important resource persons during campus crises, such as accidents or grief. The role therefore requires presence and readiness beyond the usual tasks.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and allowances

Student Priests are often offered benefits such as further training, wellness allowances, and flexible working hours. Access to supervision and collegial networks is common, as well as opportunities for holiday exchanges and compensation for unsocial hours during on-call duties and events. Some employers also offer subsidized lunches or staff support if needed.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a Student Priest varies across regions and institutions, but generally the number of positions is limited. Challenges may arise in dealing with a diverse student group, where needs and backgrounds vary greatly. The profession demands high levels of personal maturity, integrity, and the ability to handle complex life questions. Balancing administrative tasks with time for conversations can be challenging, especially during periods of high workload. Digitalization and changing student habits also influence work methods and require ongoing adaptation.

Tips for those who want to become a Student Priest

To succeed as a Student Priest, it is beneficial to combine empathy and attentiveness with the ability to work independently and take initiative. Developing strong communication skills during training provides confidence in conversations and builds trust among students. Good collaboration skills facilitate teamwork with other roles within student health, and patience helps in providing long-term support to individuals. Engagement in student life and understanding the challenges faced by the target group increase the ability to meet their needs in a relevant way. Reflection skills and personal maturity are important qualities for handling existential questions and ethical dilemmas. Continuous further education in conversational methodology and psychology can also strengthen the professional role and open up opportunities for development within the field.

Key facts about Student Priest

  • Average salary: 50,800 SEK/month
  • Education level: Theology Bachelor's or Master's + ordination
  • Hourly wage: 306 SEK
  • Work environment: Universities, colleges, student health
  • Demand: 237 available jobs within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Student Priest, opportunities may exist to advance to leadership roles within student health, such as coordinator or responsible for pastoral activities. Some choose to specialize in crisis management, supervision, or training for other professionals. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate continued steady demand for priests, especially those focusing on young adults and student environments. For those wishing to broaden their skills, work as a parish priest, hospital chaplain, or counselor can be potential pathways. Digitalization of student health services may also open new ways of working and roles.

Frequently asked questions about Student Priest

  • What does a Student Priest earn?
    - The average salary for a Student Priest is 50,800 SEK per month.
  • How has the salary development been for Student Priests?
    - Salaries have increased from 46400 SEK (2022) to 50,800 SEK (2024), an increase of approximately 9.5%.
  • What education is required to become a Student Priest?
    - A theology degree with ordination within the Church of Sweden or another denomination is required.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 50,400 SEK, which is 98% of men's salary of 51,300 SEK.
  • What does the job market look like for Student Priests?
    - There are 237 available jobs within the profession according to the latest data.
  • Where do Student Priests most often work?
    - Most often at universities, colleges, and within student health services.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 05:06:23

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Student priest is 51300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 50800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Student priest is 50400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 51200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
35-44 47500 kr 49600 kr
45-54 49800 kr 51600 kr
55-64 97% 49300 kr 51000 kr
Snitt 98% 49000 kr 50800 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 Student priest has the SSYK code 2671, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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