Lähihoitajan palkka

Lähihoitaja — roughly a care assistant or practical nurse — is Finland's largest social and healthcare occupational group. Work spans elderly homes, home care, residential units for people with disabilities, and early childhood care. The three-year vocational qualification covers multiple tracks.

Pay is the lowest in healthcare: KVTES collective agreement puts starting salaries around €2,500/month, and even with seniority increments, clearing €3,000 is the exception. Shift premiums matter a lot to monthly income. The workforce shortage is structural — more people leaving the field than entering, accelerated by an aging population. High-profile nursing strikes in 2022–2023 produced some raises, but compensation still lags behind the job's demands. Employers are mostly municipalities and hyvinvointialueet, with private operators like Attendo growing their share.