- Salary statistics
- Humanist, researcher salary
Humanist, researcher salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
41 500 - 52 700 SEK / month
Women earn 96% of what men do.
Administration, ekonomi
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Salary progression Humanist, researcher
What does a Humanist researcher do? – Tasks and work environment
A Humanist researcher investigates and analyzes human expressions, behaviors, and social structures from a historical, philosophical, linguistic, or cultural perspective. Tasks may include conducting scientific studies, writing reports and articles, participating in research projects, and presenting results at conferences. Besides academic research, teaching and supervising students, as well as collaborating with various societal actors, are common. The work environment is often university-based, but work at museums, government agencies, or within the cultural sector, where research efforts contribute to societal knowledge development, also occurs.
Salary development over time
The salary for a Humanist researcher has steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK per month, followed by a slight increase to 46 000 SEK in 2023. The most significant change occurred between 2023 and 2024, when the average salary rose to 46 700 SEK, representing an increase of about 6.2% over one year. This positive trend can partly be explained by an increased demand for qualified humanities researchers, as higher education levels and specializations are increasingly valued in the job market. Continued demand for humanities skills in both public and private sectors has also contributed to strengthening salary development within the profession.
Humanist researcher salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 46 700 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 41,100 SEK/month (men), 42,000 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 52,100 SEK/month (men), 50,700 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 277 SEK
- Gender differences: Men 47 500 SEK, women 45 900 SEK (women earn 96% of men's salary)
- Regional differences: Data not available
Education and qualifications
The path to becoming a Humanist researcher mainly involves higher academic studies in the humanities, often culminating in a master's or doctoral degree. In addition to formal degrees, experience in research work, scientific publishing, participation in academic projects, and networking are often required. Internships or trainee programs at universities and cultural institutions can be valuable merits, as can advanced language skills and analytical abilities.
- Master's or doctoral degree in humanities (total 5–8 years)
- Research internships or trainee positions at universities or museums
- Courses in scientific methodology and academic writing
- Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
- Meritorious: Publishing in scientific journals and active participation in conferences
Many humanities researchers combine their academic careers with engagement in cultural projects or societal debates, which provides opportunities to influence both education and societal development outside of universities.
Common benefits and compensations
Humanities researchers often have collective agreements that ensure secure employment conditions, occupational pensions, and generous vacation policies. Other common benefits include flexible working hours, remote work options, professional development, and access to libraries and research resources. Universities and colleges also support participation in international conferences and research exchanges.
Competition and challenges
Competition for research positions in the humanities is high, especially at universities where the number of permanent positions is limited. Many researchers work on project-based or temporary contracts, which can create job insecurity. Securing research funding is often challenging and requires skill in formulating project ideas and networking within academia. Despite these challenges, many report that the profession is stimulating and offers great freedom to explore personal interests, but it requires perseverance and a strong drive to continually deepen one's expertise.
Tips for those who want to become a Humanist researcher
To succeed as a Humanist researcher, it is good to have strong analytical skills and a genuine interest in human expressions and societal issues. Engaging early in research projects and building networks within academia increases chances of future employment. Precision and perseverance are important qualities, especially since the research process is often long-term and requires patience. Developing good communication skills facilitates both teaching and publishing research results. For the curious and open to interdisciplinary collaborations, there are great opportunities to broaden skills and find new research fields. Applying for scholarships and presenting at conferences can also provide valuable experiences and contacts. Lastly, staying updated on current societal issues and new research findings within your field is advantageous.
Key facts about Humanist researcher
- Education level: Master's or doctoral degree in humanities
- Work environment: Universities, museums, government agencies, and cultural sector
- Common employment form: Temporary projects or research positions
- Demand: 758 job openings in Sweden (2024)
- Gender distribution: Women earn 96% of men's salary
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a Humanist researcher can advance to leading roles within research projects, become a docent, or take responsibility for supervising doctoral students. Further opportunities include working as a project manager in the cultural sector, becoming a subject expert at government agencies, or developing a career as a scientific writer and debater. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate continued stable demand for qualified researchers in the humanities, especially in areas where interdisciplinary skills and societal analysis are in demand. Digitalization and international collaboration also open new career paths and help broaden the job market for humanities researchers.
Frequently asked questions about Humanist researcher
- What does a Humanist researcher earn?
- The average salary is 46 700 SEK per month, but it varies depending on experience, sector, and education level. - What education is required to become a Humanist researcher?
- Usually, at least a master's or doctoral degree in a humanities subject is required. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 96% of what men do in the profession. - What does the job market look like for a Humanist researcher?
- There are approximately 758 job openings within the profession, but competition for permanent positions is high. - Which workplaces hire Humanist researchers?
- Universities, museums, government agencies, and various cultural institutions are common employers. - Can a Humanist researcher work internationally?
- Yes, international research projects and collaborations are common, especially for PhD holders.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39100 kr | 39200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 103% | 46700 kr | 46800 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 48200 kr | 48200 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 48700 kr | 48700 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 46600 kr | 46700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40200 kr | 40400 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47700 kr | 47800 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50200 kr | 50200 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 50800 kr | 50800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 53000 kr | 53000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48100 kr | 48200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40200 kr | 40400 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47700 kr | 47800 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50200 kr | 50200 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 50800 kr | 50800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 53000 kr | 53000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48100 kr | 48200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 44800 kr | 44800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 44800 kr | 44800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 103% | 46000 kr | 46100 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 48700 kr | 48700 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 50900 kr | 50900 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 47500 kr | 47500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 39500 kr | 39600 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47500 kr | 47600 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50300 kr | 50400 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 51900 kr | 52000 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 54400 kr | 54400 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48500 kr | 48500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 39500 kr | 39600 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47500 kr | 47600 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50300 kr | 50400 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 51900 kr | 52000 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 54400 kr | 54400 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48500 kr | 48500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 103% | 47200 kr | 47300 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 47600 kr | 47700 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 45800 kr | 45900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40700 kr | 40900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47800 kr | 47900 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50000 kr | 50000 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 49800 kr | 49800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 50600 kr | 50600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 47900 kr | 47900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40700 kr | 40900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47800 kr | 47900 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50000 kr | 50000 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 49800 kr | 49800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 50600 kr | 50600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 47900 kr | 47900 kr |
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 Humanist, researcher has the SSYK code 2623, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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