- Salary statistics
- Customs Assistant salary
Customs Assistant salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
40 000 - 48 900 SEK / month
Women earn 92% of what men do.
Säkerhetsarbete
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Salary progression Customs Assistant
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 41 000 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 92% of what men do (41 100 SEK/month vs 44 500 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.
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 92% 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 41 100 SEK while men earn 44 500 SEK on average, which means women earn 92% 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.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 36600 kr | 38700 kr |
| 35-44 | 96% | 40000 kr | 42600 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 43300 kr | 46100 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 44200 kr | 45900 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 40700 kr | 43000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 117% | 31300 kr | 32900 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 36600 kr | 38700 kr |
| 35-44 | 96% | 40000 kr | 42600 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 43300 kr | 46100 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 44200 kr | 45900 kr |
| 65-68 | 84% | 45000 kr | 47900 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 40700 kr | 43000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 117% | 31300 kr | 32900 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 36600 kr | 38700 kr |
| 35-44 | 96% | 40000 kr | 42600 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 43300 kr | 46100 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 44200 kr | 45900 kr |
| 65-68 | 84% | 45000 kr | 47900 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 40700 kr | 43000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 36300 kr | 39300 kr |
| 35-44 | 96% | 40100 kr | 43200 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 44200 kr | 47800 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 46100 kr | 49000 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 41400 kr | 44500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 117% | 28100 kr | 29200 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 36300 kr | 39300 kr |
| 35-44 | 96% | 40100 kr | 43200 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 44200 kr | 47800 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 46100 kr | 49000 kr |
| 65-68 | 84% | 48500 kr | 51200 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 41400 kr | 44500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 117% | 28100 kr | 29200 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 36300 kr | 39300 kr |
| 35-44 | 96% | 40100 kr | 43200 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 44200 kr | 47800 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 46100 kr | 49000 kr |
| 65-68 | 84% | 48500 kr | 51200 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 41400 kr | 44500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 36800 kr | 38000 kr |
| 35-44 | 96% | 39800 kr | 41600 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 41900 kr | 43300 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 41900 kr | 42400 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 39800 kr | 41100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 117% | 32500 kr | 34300 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 36800 kr | 38000 kr |
| 35-44 | 96% | 39800 kr | 41600 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 41900 kr | 43300 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 41900 kr | 42400 kr |
| 65-68 | 84% | 39400 kr | 42700 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 39800 kr | 41100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 117% | 32500 kr | 34300 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 36800 kr | 38000 kr |
| 35-44 | 96% | 39800 kr | 41600 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 41900 kr | 43300 kr |
| 55-64 | 87% | 41900 kr | 42400 kr |
| 65-68 | 84% | 39400 kr | 42700 kr |
| Snitt | 92% | 39800 kr | 41100 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 Customs Assistant has the SSYK code 3351, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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