Salary progression Supervisor, leisure center / leisure educator

Average salary 32 700 kr
Males 32 500 kr
Females 32 800 kr

What does a recreation center director do – tasks and work environment

A recreation center director, often with a background as a leisure pedagogue, plays a central role in leading and developing activities for children and youth at community centers. Tasks include planning and organizing activities, managing staff and budgets, and creating a safe and stimulating environment for visitors. Working closely with young people and supporting their social development is a key part of the role. The work environment involves meeting many people, varying working hours, and a fast pace, where flexibility and good communication skills are essential. The work is often team-based with other youth leaders and educators, but requires independent responsibility as well.

Salary development over time

The salary development for directors within community youth work and leisure education has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 29,600 SEK per month, increasing to 31 900 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the salary has continued to rise to 32 700 SEK, which corresponds to a total increase of approximately 7.8% over three years. This positive salary trend can partly be explained by increased focus on the importance of leisure activities in society and general salary development within municipal jobs. The demand for qualified staff and the need for professional development have also contributed to salary improvements, although the profession still belongs to more traditional public sector roles with relatively steady salary progression.

Recreation center director salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 32 700 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,400 SEK/month (male, private sector worker)
  • Highest salary: 37,600 SEK/month (male, municipal sector, shorter than 3-year post-secondary education)
  • Highest salary for women: 35,700 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary for women: 28,000 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 192 SEK/hour
  • Women: 32 800 SEK/month
  • Men: 32 500 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 101% of what men do

Working as a recreation center director often means being an important adult role model for young people – many describe it as a profession where you can make a significant difference in their lives, especially by supporting them through daily challenges and creating meaningful leisure activities.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

To work as a recreation center director, a post-secondary education in pedagogy or social work is usually required, often with a specialization in leisure leadership. Practical experience working with children and youth is highly meritorious, and many employers also seek leadership experience. Further training and certifications in areas like conflict management or project management can be advantageous.

  • Formal degree: Leisure leadership training, 2 years (YH) or university degree in pedagogy/social work
  • Certifications: Courses in leadership, conflict management, or project management
  • Internship: Practical training or relevant work experience in leisure activities
  • Prerequisites: High school diploma, preferably with a focus on children and leisure
  • Tips for selection: Commitment to youth development and social skills are highly valued

Common benefits and compensation

Recreation center directors often are covered by collective agreements providing occupational pension, holiday supplement, and wellness allowance. Other benefits may include educational support, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development. In some cases, extra vacation days and compensation for unsociable hours are offered, especially for evening and weekend work.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a recreation center director involves moderate competition, meaning there is neither a shortage nor an oversupply of qualified candidates. Challenges include meeting the changing needs of a young target group, managing conflicts, and driving development within the activities. The requirements for documentation and administration have increased, demanding better structure and planning skills. Resource allocation and budget issues can also be challenging, especially in municipal settings. For those who are engaged and possess the right skills, there are good opportunities to establish and develop within the profession.

Tips for aspiring recreation center directors

To succeed as a recreation center director, it’s beneficial to have a genuine interest in youth development and the ability to build trustful relationships. Being communicative and attentive facilitates cooperation with both young people and colleagues, while leadership skills are crucial for driving the activities forward. Structured planning and flexibility help manage unforeseen situations and meet the diverse needs of the organization. It’s also valuable to be solution-oriented and patient, especially in challenging situations. Engagement and a positive attitude contribute to a good work environment and make it easier to inspire others in the team. Networking and further training can also provide new perspectives and career opportunities.

Key facts about recreation center directors

  • Education level: Post-secondary education (YH or university)
  • Work environment: Youth activities, teamwork, and varying hours
  • Demand: 237 available jobs in the field
  • Salary structure: Collective agreements, holiday supplement, and occupational pension
  • Gender equality: Women earn 101% of men's salaries in the profession

Career paths and future outlook

After several years of experience as a recreation center director, career opportunities include roles such as operations manager, district supervisor within municipal youth work, or various positions within social work. On a national level, the prospects for employment as a leisure leader and director are considered moderate, with a forecast of unchanged demand over the next five years according to the Swedish Employment Agency. The recruitment situation is characterized by a balance between supply and demand, meaning there is neither a shortage nor an oversupply of qualified candidates. Skills development and further education can open new opportunities, especially in leadership or specialized social interventions.

Frequently asked questions about recreation center directors

  • What does a recreation center director earn?
    - The average salary is 32 700 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, gender, and sector.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 101% of what men do in the profession.
  • What education is required to become a recreation center director?
    - Usually, post-secondary education in pedagogy or social work, often supplemented with leisure leadership training.
  • What does the job market look like?
    - There are 237 available jobs in the field, and employment prospects are considered moderate in the coming years.
  • What are the most common benefits?
    - Benefits include occupational pension, holiday supplement, wellness allowance, and opportunities for professional development.
  • How has salary development changed over time?
    - Salaries increased from 29,600 SEK in 2022 to 32 700 SEK in 2024, a 7.8% increase over three years.
  • What personal qualities are important in the profession?
    - Leadership, communication skills, patience, and commitment to youth development are key qualities.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Supervisor, leisure center / leisure educator is 38000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 37300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Supervisor, leisure center / leisure educator is 28700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 29000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 98% 25300 kr 27100 kr
25-34 101% 30200 kr 32000 kr
35-44 101% 33100 kr 34300 kr
45-54 98% 33200 kr 34100 kr
55-64 99% 34500 kr 35300 kr
65-68 34700 kr 35700 kr
Snitt 101% 31400 kr 32700 kr
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 Supervisor, leisure center / leisure educator has the SSYK code 3423, 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
Similar occupations

Compare salary, work tasks and job outlook in adjacent occupations to find roles with similar skills or pay levels.

  • Read more about working as Parish sister

    Average salary: 37 100 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Compare with Supervisor, leisure center / leisure educator

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 19:25
  • Read more about working as Social inspector

    Average salary: 41 600 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Compare with Supervisor, leisure center / leisure educator

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 18:23
  • Read more about working as Monitor

    Average salary: 37 100 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Compare with Supervisor, leisure center / leisure educator

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 19:04
  • Read more about working as Health advisor

    Average salary: 36 500 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Compare with Supervisor, leisure center / leisure educator

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 14:22
  • Read more about working as Probation inspector

    Average salary: 37 500 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Compare with Supervisor, leisure center / leisure educator

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 19:09
  • Read more about working as Leisure assistant

    Average salary: 32 700 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Compare with Supervisor, leisure center / leisure educator

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 19:22
Latest posts
  • Promocode - Discount code for Smartphoto
    Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 12:00
  • Public Opinion - Novus Opinion Poll 2026-06-17 – Social Democrats Lose
    Wed, 17 Jun 2026 - 09:35
  • National Debt - National Debt – Level, GDP Share, and Development to 2026
    Mon, 8 Jun 2026 - 09:59
  • Inflation - Inflation May 2026 – KPIF Rises to 1.5 Percent
    Thu, 4 Jun 2026 - 08:30
  • Tips - Create a Professional Website with AI - That's Why I Built Deffe.com
    Tue, 19 May 2026 - 22:28
  • Municipality -
    Tue, 19 May 2026 - 00:35
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 390
Net salary
31 390
Taxes
11 718
Fees
12 582

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

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2026 taxes