Healthcare Assistant Salary in Denmark 2026: How Much Do They Earn?
Healthcare assistants help elderly and sick people with daily tasks and personal care. The job is physically demanding but offers the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives.
- Low (25%)
- 330,000 DKK
- High (75%)
- 400,000 DKK
Salary Range for Healthcare Assistant
Most healthcare assistants earn between 330,000 DKK and 400,000 DKK per year.
Net Salary as Healthcare Assistant
| Salary Level | Gross/year | Net/month | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 330,000 DKK | 19,272 DKK | 29.92% |
| Average | 360,000 DKK | 20,871 DKK | 30.43% |
| High | 400,000 DKK | 23,003 DKK | 30.99% |
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What does a healthcare assistant do day-to-day?
A healthcare assistant ("SOSU-assistent") in Denmark provides personal care, medication support, and documentation for residents in nursing homes or citizens receiving home care. A shift starts with a handover briefing covering each client and any special tasks for the day. You then assist with morning routines, dressing, transfers, meals, and toilet visits. You administer medication under delegation from a nurse, measure blood pressure and blood sugar, and contact the on-call doctor if a patient's condition worsens. All care is documented in systems like Cura or Nexus following municipal standards. SOSU assistants typically work rotating shifts, and evening, night, and weekend supplements make up a significant portion of total pay. Most are members of the FOA union.
Education and qualifications
The qualification is a vocational programme (EUD) lasting about 3 years and 10 months, combining classroom periods at a SOSU school with practical training in municipalities and hospitals. After completion, you can apply for positions in home care, nursing homes, psychiatric wards, or hospitals. The programme is taught in Danish, and fluent Danish is essential for the role.
Career progression and salary steps for a healthcare assistant
| Career stage | Annual gross salary |
|---|---|
| Newly qualified SOSU assistant | 340,000 DKK |
| Experienced SOSU assistant (4+ yrs) | 370,000 DKK |
| Special function (dementia, palliative, psychiatry) | 405,000 DKK |
| Team leader / Coordinating SOSU | 450,000 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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See trends →See tax breakdown for 350,000 DKK
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View salary scales →Healthcare Assistant salary across municipalities
Net pay as a healthcare assistant varies up to 515 DKK/mo depending on municipality. Here are the 8 largest municipalities:
| Municipality | Tax Rate | Net/month |
|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | 23.39% | 20,871 DKK |
| Vejle | 23.40% | 20,869 DKK |
| Frederiksberg | 24.50% | 20,660 DKK |
| Aarhus | 24.52% | 20,656 DKK |
| Odense | 25.50% | 20,470 DKK |
| Viborg | 25.50% | 20,470 DKK |
| Aalborg | 25.60% | 20,451 DKK |
| Esbjerg | 26.10% | 20,356 DKK |
Who Earns More?
Similar Roles in Healthcare
- Nurse440,000 DKK/year
- Doctor790,000 DKK/year
- Physiotherapist420,000 DKK/year
- Dentist740,000 DKK/year
Frequently Asked Questions
With an average gross salary of around 360,000 DKK and municipal tax rates varying from roughly 22-28%, net monthly pay typically lands at 22,000-24,500 DKK for full-time employees without shift supplements. With frequent evening, night, and weekend shifts, net pay can be 3,000-5,000 DKK higher per month.
Evening, night, and weekend supplements typically add 10-20% to total pay in home care and nursing homes. In hospital psychiatry, where three-shift rotations are standard, the supplement share can reach 20-25% — so a base salary of 28,000 DKK per month can end up around 33,000-35,000 DKK.
Denmark does not have automatic recognition for foreign SOSU qualifications. You would typically need to have your training assessed by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and may need supplementary coursework. Fluent Danish is a strict requirement since the role involves daily communication with elderly and vulnerable citizens.
A healthcare assistant earns on average 360,000 DKK per year in Denmark. This equals approximately 20,871 DKK after tax per month.
With the average salary of 360,000 DKK, you take home approximately 20,871 DKK per month after tax. This corresponds to an effective tax rate of 30.43%.
The salary range for healthcare assistants in Denmark goes from approximately 330,000 DKK (25th percentile) to 400,000 DKK (75th percentile) per year. Your actual salary depends on experience, education, and workplace.