Prison Officer Salary in Denmark 2026: How Much Do They Earn?
Prison officers maintain security in prisons and work with rehabilitation of inmates. They supervise daily routines and handle conflicts.
- Low (25%)
- 380,000 DKK
- High (75%)
- 540,000 DKK
Salary Range for Prison Officer
Most prison officers earn between 380,000 DKK and 540,000 DKK per year.
Net Salary as Prison Officer
| Salary Level | Gross/year | Net/month | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 380,000 DKK | 21,937 DKK | 30.73% |
| Average | 464,000 DKK | 26,413 DKK | 31.69% |
| High | 540,000 DKK | 30,299 DKK | 32.67% |
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What does a prison officer do day-to-day?
A prison officer’s day in Denmark takes place in the Prison and Probation Service’s prisons or remand centres and alternates between security, supervision, and rehabilitation. A shift starts with a handover from the previous shift, headcount of inmates, and collection of keys and radio. During the day, you unlock and lock cells, supervise yard time, visiting rooms, and activities, conduct cell searches, and handle conflicts. You also hold motivational conversations with inmates and collaborate with psychologists, social workers, and education counsellors on rehabilitation plans under the Sentence Enforcement Act. Prison officers work three-shift rotations with fixed on-call duties, and mandatory physical training and use-of-force courses take place annually.
Education and qualifications
The prison officer education is a 2-year-and-10-month programme at the Prison and Probation Service’s Training Centre in Birkerød, north of Copenhagen. The programme alternates between theory and service in a prison or remand centre. Entry requirements include Danish citizenship, a clean criminal record, and passing physical and psychological screening tests.
Career progression and salary steps for a prison officer
| Career stage | Annual gross salary |
|---|---|
| Trainee (during education) | 280,000 DKK |
| Newly qualified prison officer | 400,000 DKK |
| Experienced officer (5+ yrs) | 480,000 DKK |
| Workshop master / Senior officer | 580,000 DKK |
Figures are indicative gross salaries. Use the calculator above to see your exact take-home pay after tax in your municipality.
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View salary scales →Prison Officer salary across municipalities
Net pay as a prison officer varies up to 701 DKK/mo depending on municipality. Here are the 8 largest municipalities:
| Municipality | Tax Rate | Net/month |
|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | 23.39% | 26,413 DKK |
| Vejle | 23.40% | 26,410 DKK |
| Frederiksberg | 24.50% | 26,126 DKK |
| Aarhus | 24.52% | 26,121 DKK |
| Odense | 25.50% | 25,867 DKK |
| Viborg | 25.50% | 25,867 DKK |
| Aalborg | 25.60% | 25,841 DKK |
| Esbjerg | 26.10% | 25,712 DKK |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Prison officer trainees typically start at around 22,000-25,000 DKK per month including certain allowances — significantly higher than student grants (SU) and comparable to police trainee pay. During the programme, trainees alternate between classroom periods at the training centre in Birkerød and practical placements in a prison.
Yes. Officers in closed prisons like Storstrøm, Herstedvester, or Vestre Fængsel typically receive higher hardship and risk supplements than colleagues in open prisons or remand centres. Specialist functions such as the security wing attract additional function supplements of 2,000-5,000 DKK per month.
No. Danish citizenship is a strict requirement for the prison officer education, similar to the police. The profession involves exercising authority over individuals deprived of their liberty, and the Danish state requires citizenship for this role.
A prison officer earns on average 464,000 DKK per year in Denmark. This equals approximately 26,413 DKK after tax per month.
With the average salary of 464,000 DKK, you take home approximately 26,413 DKK per month after tax. This corresponds to an effective tax rate of 31.69%.
The salary range for prison officers in Denmark goes from approximately 380,000 DKK (25th percentile) to 540,000 DKK (75th percentile) per year. Your actual salary depends on experience, education, and workplace.