- Salary statistics
- Contact interpreter salary
Contact interpreter salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
33 000 - 50 300 SEK / month
Women earn 102% of what men do.
Kultur, media, design
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Salary progression Contact interpreter
What does a Kontakttolk do? – Tasks and work environment
A Kontakttolk works to facilitate communication between individuals who do not share a common language. The tasks include interpreting conversations between two or more parties, often in sensitive or socially critical situations such as meetings within healthcare, education, social services, immigration authorities, or courts. The interpretation is primarily oral and can be performed on-site, via telephone, or through digital platforms. The work environment varies depending on the nature of the assignment – some interpreters work mainly in public settings on location, while others perform their duties remotely. Flexibility, accuracy, and the ability to handle stress are essential qualities in the profession.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, the salary for a Kontakttolk has increased significantly. In 2022, the average salary was 34,700 SEK per month, followed by a slight decline to 38 300 SEK in 2023. Since then, a clear salary increase has occurred, and the current average salary for 2024 is 40 600 SEK per month. This represents a total increase of approximately 10.3% over the period. The development can be partly explained by increased demand for qualified interpreters, especially in socially critical sectors, as well as higher requirements for certification and educational level. The positive trend indicates that the profession's status and salary conditions have strengthened as the need for language competence has grown in Swedish society.
Kontakttolk salary – a complete overview
- Average salary: 40 600 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 31,500 SEK/month (female, public sector, high school education)
- Highest salary: 48,100 SEK/month (male, private sector, postgraduate education)
- Hourly wage: 230 SEK/hour (average, hourly worker)
- Women earn: 40 800 SEK/month (102% of men's salary)
- Men earn: 40 000 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Salaries may vary depending on location and employer, but differences are generally moderate within Sweden.
Education and qualifications
To work as a Kontakttolk, a completed interpreter training at a folk high school or Vocational College (1–2 years) is usually required. Many employers also prefer or require authorization or certification from the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education. The education combines language studies with social orientation and professional ethics. Practical components, such as supervised internships, are often part of the training and are important for developing communicative and ethical competence. Prerequisites vary depending on the education and language.
- Formal education: Interpreter training at folk high schools or Vocational Colleges (1–2 years)
- Certification: Authorization via the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education is recommended
- Internship: Supervised internships are usually included in the training
- Prerequisites: Very good knowledge of Swedish and the target language
- Courses and self-study: Continuing education and online courses can enhance professional skills
Many Kontakttolkar work as self-employed or freelancers, which provides great freedom to manage working hours and select assignments. It also entails responsibility for own skills development and networking – flexibility and self-discipline are therefore important success factors.
Common benefits and compensations
Kontakttolkar are generally offered compensation per hour or assignment, with an average hourly rate for hourly workers of 230 SEK. Other benefits may include travel allowances, compensation for inconvenient working hours, and opportunities for further training and certification through the employer. Permanent employees may also have pension contributions and health insurance, but for many freelancers, benefits vary depending on the employer and employment type.
Competition and challenges
The profession of Kontakttolk is characterized by competition, especially for certain languages where the supply of qualified interpreters is high. At the same time, there is a shortage of interpreters for less common languages and dialects, creating good opportunities for those with the right language combinations. Challenges include irregular working hours, high demands for neutrality and stress management, and the need for continuous skills development. Digitalization and new technological solutions are rapidly changing the job market, and interpreters are expected to adapt to new working methods, such as remote interpreting via video. The variation in assignments and income uncertainty can make the profession demanding, especially for freelancers.
Tips for those who want to become a Kontakttolk
To succeed as a Kontakttolk, it is good to have a keen ear and the ability to quickly understand new situations. A strong sense of ethics and responsibility facilitates handling sensitive topics professionally in front of different parties. Precision is crucial to ensure the interpretation is accurate and impartial, especially in formal contexts. Being flexible and open to new working methods makes it easier to adapt to digital tools and varied assignments. For self-driven and proactive individuals, there are good opportunities to build a strong network and find assignments within in-demand language combinations. Continuing education and staying updated on professional ethics are also valuable. Finally, the ability to manage stress and maintain calm under pressure is essential for success in the role.
Key facts about Kontakttolk
- Educational level: Interpreter training, folk high school or Vocational College (1–2 years)
- Work environment: Varied – on-site, digital, or via telephone
- Common employment form: Freelancer or self-employed
- Demand: About 620 job openings in the profession
- Gender distribution: Women have slightly higher average salaries than men
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a Kontakttolk can develop their career by specializing in legal interpretation, medical interpretation, or training new interpreters. Some advance to roles such as coordinator, project manager, or administrator within interpretation agencies. Others choose to deepen their expertise in language technology or digital interpreting services. The future outlook is uncertain according to the Swedish Public Employment Service, as there is no clear assessment for this specific profession, but there remains a steady need for interpreters in various social sectors, and new digital working methods create additional opportunities. Currently, there are 620 job openings in the field, indicating strong demand at present.
Frequently asked questions about Kontakttolk
- What is the average salary of a Kontakttolk?
- A Kontakttolk has an average monthly salary of 40 600 SEK. - Are there differences in salary between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 40 800 SEK, which is 102% of men's salary, which is 40 000 SEK. - What education is required to become a Kontakttolk?
- Interpreter training at a folk high school or Vocational College (1–2 years) and preferably authorization from the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education. - What does the job market look like for a Kontakttolk?
- There are approximately 620 job openings in the profession, with particularly high demand for rare languages. - What is the highest and lowest salary for a Kontakttolk?
- The highest salary is 48,100 SEK, while the lowest is 31,500 SEK per month. - Do Kontakttolkar mostly work on-site or remotely?
- Both – many assignments are on-site, but remote and video interpreting are increasing rapidly. - Is authorization required to work as a Kontakttolk?
- Authorization is not always required, but many employers prefer or require it.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 34300 kr | 35900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 38100 kr | 40500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 39900 kr | 41800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 40800 kr | 41800 kr | |
| Snitt | 102% | 38900 kr | 40600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 26900 kr | 28300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 96% | 34800 kr | 35700 kr |
| 35-44 | 85% | 39100 kr | 39500 kr |
| 45-54 | 89% | 40300 kr | 40800 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 41200 kr | 41900 kr |
| 65-68 | 88% | 44600 kr | 44800 kr |
| Snitt | 89% | 39800 kr | 40400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 101% | 42300 kr | 42300 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 45500 kr | 45500 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 46700 kr | 46700 kr |
| 55-64 | 99% | 46800 kr | 46900 kr |
| 65-68 | 100% | 48800 kr | 48900 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 46200 kr | 46200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 94% | 35500 kr | 35500 kr |
| 45-54 | 37100 kr | 37100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 39100 kr | 39100 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 36500 kr | 36600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 104% | 30200 kr | 31700 kr |
| 35-44 | 92% | 33000 kr | 34000 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 35900 kr | 36700 kr |
| 55-64 | 103% | 36200 kr | 37700 kr |
| 65-68 | 37600 kr | 38000 kr | |
| Snitt | 102% | 34800 kr | 35800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 37600 kr | 41100 kr | |
| 45-54 | 39700 kr | 42300 kr | |
| Snitt | 109% | 38400 kr | 40700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 37600 kr | 41100 kr | |
| 45-54 | 39700 kr | 42300 kr | |
| Snitt | 109% | 38400 kr | 40700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 102% | 39500 kr | 40000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 96% | 36700 kr | 37000 kr |
| 35-44 | 85% | 43800 kr | 44100 kr |
| 45-54 | 89% | 44800 kr | 45000 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 43700 kr | 44200 kr |
| 65-68 | 88% | 47700 kr | 47800 kr |
| Snitt | 89% | 43600 kr | 43900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 101% | 42000 kr | 42000 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 46200 kr | 46300 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 48000 kr | 48100 kr |
| 55-64 | 99% | 47000 kr | 47100 kr |
| 65-68 | 100% | 48800 kr | 48900 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 46900 kr | 46900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 94% | 37000 kr | 37000 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 37200 kr | 37200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 104% | 30200 kr | 30700 kr |
| 35-44 | 92% | 35100 kr | 36600 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 35500 kr | 36200 kr |
| 55-64 | 103% | 34900 kr | 36700 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 34200 kr | 35300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 109% | 37800 kr | 38300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 109% | 37800 kr | 38300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 37400 kr | 40400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 40600 kr | 43000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 39800 kr | 41000 kr | |
| Snitt | 102% | 38700 kr | 40800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 96% | 34300 kr | 35300 kr |
| 35-44 | 85% | 37000 kr | 37500 kr |
| 45-54 | 89% | 39300 kr | 39900 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 40500 kr | 41300 kr |
| 65-68 | 88% | 41800 kr | 42200 kr |
| Snitt | 89% | 38700 kr | 39300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 101% | 42400 kr | 42400 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 44800 kr | 44800 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 46100 kr | 46100 kr |
| 55-64 | 99% | 46700 kr | 46700 kr |
| 65-68 | 100% | 48600 kr | 48800 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 45700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 94% | 35000 kr | 35000 kr |
| 45-54 | 36900 kr | 36900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 39100 kr | 39100 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 36300 kr | 36500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 104% | 30300 kr | 31900 kr |
| 35-44 | 92% | 32800 kr | 33700 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 35900 kr | 36700 kr |
| 55-64 | 103% | 36400 kr | 37800 kr |
| 65-68 | 37200 kr | 37600 kr | |
| Snitt | 102% | 34800 kr | 35900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 109% | 38700 kr | 41700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 109% | 38700 kr | 41700 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 Contact interpreter has the SSYK code 2643, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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