Salary progression Pre-school teacher

Average salary 47 600 kr
Males 46 800 kr
Females 47 700 kr

What does a preschool teacher do? – Tasks and work environment

A preschool teacher works to support and educate children in preschool class or early school years, often focusing on children needing special support in their development. Tasks include planning, implementing, and following up on educational efforts, collaborating with other school staff, and establishing action plans. Contact with guardians is central, and the work is carried out in close dialogue with both student health services and school management. The work environment is characterized by variation and switching between individual work with students, group activities, and administrative tasks, where flexibility and the ability to handle rapid changes are important qualities.

Salary development over time

The salary for preschool teachers has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK per month, increasing to 45 900 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 47 600 SEK, which corresponds to a total increase of approximately 6.7% over the period. This positive trend can be linked to increased demand for specialized educators and a general focus on strengthening salaries within the education sector. Salary development has also been influenced by labor market balance and investments in professional development, benefiting the profession both short and long term.

Preschool teacher salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 47 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,600 SEK/month (male, government sector, upper secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 50,700 SEK/month (female, public sector, research degree)
  • Hourly wage: 276 SEK
  • Women: 47 700 SEK/month
  • Men: 46 800 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 102 % of men's salaries

Education and qualifications

A preschool teacher needs to complete a teacher education program with specialization in preschool class or early school years, often supplemented with special education skills. Formal qualification requires a teacher degree, sometimes further education in special education. Practical components and experience working with children are usually required. Competition for places in these programs is fierce, and having a genuine interest in children's learning and development is advantageous.

  • Teacher degree: Basic teacher degree with specialization in preschool class and grades 1–3 (3.5–4 years)
  • Further education: Special education supplement (1 year)
  • Practical training: Included as a mandatory part of the program
  • Qualification requirements: Approved high school grades and special qualifications in Swedish and mathematics
  • Tip: Experience from working with children or within schools is advantageous

Many preschool teachers describe that interacting with children and being able to follow their development closely is the most rewarding aspect of the job. Creativity and the ability to think outside the box are often crucial for creating an inspiring learning environment.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Preschool teachers are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, professional development, and the possibility of holiday exchange. Other compensations may include overtime pay for work outside regular hours and insurance through the employer. Many workplaces also offer supervision and support from specialists within student health services.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a preschool teacher is currently moderate, meaning there is a balance between the supply of qualified candidates and employer needs. Challenges in the profession often involve meeting children with diverse needs and backgrounds, as well as working in environments with limited resources and time. Documentation requirements and collaboration with many different actors demand structure and teamwork skills. Despite these challenges, many professionals experience high job satisfaction and meaningfulness in their roles.

Tips for those who want to become preschool teachers

To succeed as a preschool teacher, it is helpful to combine engagement and patience with a good ability to build relationships. Showing sensitivity to each child's unique needs makes it easier to adapt teaching and create a safe learning environment. Communication skills are crucial both in interactions with children and in collaboration with colleagues and guardians, to convey information clearly and empathetically. Flexibility facilitates managing a workday that can change quickly, while structure and organizational skills are needed to balance teaching and documentation. Lastly, maintaining a positive attitude towards development is important, as methods and requirements evolve over time within schools.

Key facts about preschool teachers

  • Education level: Basic teacher degree + special education training (4–5 years)
  • Work form: Usually full-time, daytime
  • Gender distribution: Predominantly women
  • Demand: Moderate opportunities nationwide
  • Available jobs: 434 advertised positions in the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a preschool teacher, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as special education teacher, team leader, or mentor for colleagues. Further education can also lead to positions like development leader or principal. The Employment Service's forecast indicates that job opportunities are assessed as moderate and that demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. The balance between supply and demand means good chances for employment, especially for those with special education skills and experience. Those interested in working with development issues or specializing further within specific areas have good prospects for career advancement within the school system.

Frequently asked questions about preschool teachers

  • What does a preschool teacher earn?
    - A preschool teacher has an average salary of 47 600 SEK per month in 2024.
  • What are the salary differences between men and women?
    - Women earn an average of 47 700 SEK while men earn 46 800 SEK, meaning women have 102 % of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a preschool teacher?
    - A basic teacher degree with specialization in preschool class and grades 1–3, often supplemented with special education training.
  • Are there many job openings for preschool teachers?
    - There are 434 available jobs according to the latest statistics.
  • What are the most common benefits for preschool teachers?
    - Common benefits include occupational pension, wellness allowance, professional development, and insurance through the employer.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - The Employment Service assesses that job opportunities are moderate and that demand will remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for preschool teachers?
    - The highest salary is 50,700 SEK (female, public sector, research degree) and the lowest is 34,600 SEK (male, government sector, upper secondary education).

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Pre-school teacher is 52500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 51100 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Pre-school teacher is 36000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 36300 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 42100 kr 42100 kr
35-44 99% 45700 kr 45800 kr
45-54 103% 48000 kr 48000 kr
55-64 100% 48500 kr 48600 kr
65-68 49000 kr 49000 kr
Snitt 102% 47600 kr 47600 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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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 Pre-school teacher has the SSYK code 2351, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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