- Salary statistics
- Historian of ideas salary
Historian of ideas 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
Related tools
Salary progression Historian of ideas
What does an idea historian do? – Tasks and work environment
An idea historian analyzes and interprets the development of ideas, thought currents, and intellectual traditions throughout history. Tasks include research, teaching, writing scientific articles and books, as well as participating in seminars and conferences. Many work at universities, colleges, or research institutes, but some are also active in museums, the cultural sector, or as freelance writers. The work environment is often academic and characterized by independent work, but may also involve collaboration in research groups and international networks.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, Idea Historian salaries have increased from 43,000 SEK per month in 2022 to 46 000 SEK in 2023, and further to 46 700 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 7% during the period. Salary development has been stable, with a clear rise in the past year, which can be linked to increased demand for humanities expertise within academia and the cultural sector. Industry development is also influenced by the availability of research funding and society’s interest in the humanities. Despite competition for positions, salary trends have been positive, especially for experienced idea historians in the public sector.
Idea Historian salary – complete 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: Women earn 96% of what men do (47 500 SEK/month for men, 45 900 SEK/month for women)
- Regional differences: Data unavailable
Education and qualifications
To work as an idea historian, a university degree focusing on idea history is generally required, often at the bachelor's or master's level. The educational path combines theoretical studies with methodological training and sometimes internships within research or the cultural sector. Many idea historians also have experience in interdisciplinary subjects such as philosophy, history, or literary studies.
- Formal degree: Bachelor's (3 years) + master's (2 years) in idea history or a related field
- Internship: Research internship or trainee position at a university or cultural institution
- Prerequisites: Basic university eligibility, often with specific eligibility in history and philosophy
- Courses and certificates: Advanced courses in scientific methods, theory, and academic writing
- Advice for choosing: Engagement in student associations and participation in research projects provide valuable credentials
Idea historians often work internationally and participate regularly in global research networks and conferences. This provides opportunities to influence societal debates at multiple levels and create new collaborations across disciplines.
Common benefits and compensations
Among the most common benefits for idea historians are flexible working hours, opportunities for remote work, generous vacation policies, and professional development through conferences and research trips. Within academia, research grants and supervisory roles can also be part of the compensation.
Competition and challenges
The competition for permanent positions in idea history is high, especially within the university sector where the number of permanent appointments is limited. Many start their careers as doctoral students or research assistants and then advance. Funding research projects and access to external grants are often crucial for conducting independent research. The profession requires strong communication skills to convey complex ideas, as well as high self-discipline and perseverance. Collaboration with other disciplines is becoming increasingly important to meet labor market demands.
Tips for aspiring idea historians
To succeed as an idea historian, it is beneficial to combine curiosity and analytical skills with a genuine interest in historical ideas. Developing good writing skills and experience with scientific work provides an advantage when producing research results and articles. Initiative is an important trait, especially when applying for research funding and creating your own projects. Social skills facilitate collaboration in research teams and open doors to international networks. Finally, perseverance is crucial, as the path to a permanent position is often long and requires dedication and patience.
Key facts about Idea Historians
- Education level: Master's degree in idea history or a related field
- Typical work environment: Universities, colleges, research institutes
- Average salary: 46 700 SEK/month
- Job market: 758 job openings within the profession
- Common work forms: Research, teaching, cultural sector
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, an idea historian can advance to lecturer, research assistant, or project leader within larger research projects. Many choose to specialize in a particular research area or broaden into cultural management, museum work, or publishing. Some move into expert roles within government agencies or work as consultants in education and culture sectors. According to the Employment Service, competition for permanent positions remains high, but increasing demand for humanities expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration offer new opportunities, especially for those with international experience and strong networks.
Common questions about Idea Historians
- What does an Idea Historian earn?
- An Idea Historian has an average salary of 46 700 SEK per month. - What education is required to become an Idea Historian?
- A master's degree in idea history or a related field is usually required. - What is the job market like for Idea Historians?
- There are 758 job openings within the profession, but competition for permanent positions is high. - Are there gender pay gaps?
- Yes, women earn 96% of what men do within the profession. - What are the most common workplaces for Idea Historians?
- Universities, colleges, and research institutes are the most common workplaces. - How much does an Idea Historian earn per hour?
- The average hourly wage is 277 SEK. - What is the highest and lowest salary for an Idea Historian?
- The highest salary is 52,100 SEK/month, and the lowest is 41,100 SEK/month.
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 Historian of ideas has the SSYK code 2623, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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