How much does a Customs Assistant make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Customs Assistant

Customs Assistant

41 000 kr

Customs and coast guard officers

38 500 - 46 100 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Säkerhetsarbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Customs Assistant

Average salary 41 000 kr
Males 42 000 kr
Females 39 600 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 8 Vacant jobs ->

What does a customs assistant do? – Tasks and work environment

A customs assistant works with inspecting, monitoring, and ensuring that goods and people crossing Sweden's borders comply with applicable laws and regulations. The role involves diverse tasks such as border control, document review, cargo inspections, and collaboration with other authorities. Customs assistants often work in teams and alternate between office settings and fieldwork, for example at airports, ports, and road crossings. The work environment can be physically and mentally demanding, as it often involves shift work and sometimes working under pressure.

Salary development over time

The salary for a customs assistant has shown steady and positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 38,300 SEK per month, which increased to 38 800 SEK during 2023. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 41,000 SEK per month, representing a total increase of approximately 7% over three years. This salary increase reflects ongoing demand for the role and the need for employers to attract and retain competent personnel in the customs and security sector. The relatively strong salary growth may also be due to increased security requirements in society and greater focus on border controls.

Customs assistant salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 41,000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 38,500 SEK/month (female, public sector)
  • Highest salary: 46,100 SEK/month (male, private sector)
  • Hourly wage: 246 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 94% of what men do (39 600 SEK/month vs 42 000 SEK/month)
  • Regional differences: Data unavailable

Education and qualifications

To work as a customs assistant, a high school diploma and completed internal training at the Customs Service are generally required. Many employers also seek specific personal qualities and sometimes prior experience in service, security, or administration. After the recruitment process, there is often a longer period of theoretical and practical training, including modules on law, control techniques, and communication.

  • High school diploma: Basic requirement, often social sciences or economics program
  • Internal training at the Customs Service: Approximately 6–12 months, both theory and practice
  • Practical training: Mandatory internship in the operation
  • Prerequisites: Good physical condition, Swedish citizenship, and a criminal record extract
  • Certifications/courses: Special training in security and interrogation techniques may be included

Customs assistants often work closely with other authorities and may have opportunities to participate in larger, international operations. The role thus offers variety and potential to develop broad networks within the security sector.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In addition to base salary, benefits such as evening and weekend shift allowances, wellness grants, occupational pension, and opportunities for skills development are often offered. Many employers in customs and security also provide insurance, subsidized lunches, and flexible working hours depending on the workplace.

Competition and challenges

The competition for roles as a customs assistant can vary depending on the region and current initiatives within the Customs Service. Since the role requires both good physical condition and security clearance, the recruitment process can be extensive and demanding. Challenges include shift work, sometimes monotonous tasks, and confrontational situations with travelers. The role also entails significant responsibility for law and order at Sweden's borders, which can be both stimulating and demanding. The need for accuracy and integrity is clear, and the work environment can be stressful at times.

Tips for those interested in becoming a customs assistant

To succeed as a customs assistant, it is good to be detail-oriented and have strong observational skills, as the work often involves detecting irregularities in documents and cargo flows. A strong sense of service and communication skills facilitate contact with travelers and colleagues, especially under pressure. Patience and stress tolerance are also valuable, as shifts can be long and unpredictable. Flexibility and adaptability help when tasks or workplaces change quickly. Good teamwork skills are essential, as much of the work is done in teams and involves cooperation with other authorities. Lastly, an interest in societal issues and legislation can provide extra motivation and understanding of the role's importance.

Key facts about Customs Assistant

  • Average salary: 41,000 SEK/month
  • Educational requirements: High school diploma + internal training (6–12 months)
  • Work environment: Shift work, both office and field
  • Number of job openings: 191 within the profession
  • Gender salary difference: Women earn 94% of men's salary

Career paths and future prospects

After several years of experience as a customs assistant, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as customs inspector, team leader, or specialized investigator within the Customs Service. Many also choose to further their education in security, leadership, or law to broaden their career options. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that it is currently difficult to make a clear assessment of future prospects for customs assistants, but there are 191 job openings in the profession. Since the role is part of a broader category of security and surveillance personnel, opportunities are influenced by political decisions, societal development, and changing requirements for border control. Digitalization and technological development are also expected to impact job tasks in the future.

Frequently asked questions about Customs Assistant

  • What is the average salary of a customs assistant?
    - A customs assistant has an average salary of 41,000 SEK per month.
  • What is the lowest and highest salary for a customs assistant?
    - The lowest salary is 38,500 SEK, and the highest is 46,100 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salaries?
    - Women earn 39 600 SEK while men earn 42 000 SEK on average, which means women earn 94% of men's salary.
  • What education is required to become a customs assistant?
    - A high school diploma and internal training at the Customs Service are basic requirements.
  • What is the job market outlook for customs assistants?
    - There are 191 job openings in the profession, but no clear forecast for the future.
  • What personal qualities are important for a customs assistant?
    - Attention to detail, stress resistance, teamwork skills, and good communication are essential.
  • Do customs assistants mainly work in offices or in the field?
    - Work alternates between office environments and work at border stations and transport hubs.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-06 19:27:38

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Customs Assistant is 46100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 41000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Customs Assistant is 38500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 40800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 102% 34900 kr 37000 kr
35-44 97% 37600 kr 40500 kr
45-54 92% 40300 kr 43800 kr
55-64 88% 41400 kr 43700 kr
Snitt 94% 38300 kr 41000 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

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 Customs Assistant has the SSYK code 3351, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Public Opinion

    Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    National Debt

    The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes

Explore more topics