How much does a Teacher, religious studies make

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  2. Teacher, religious studies
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Teacher, religious studies

42 700 kr

High school teachers

32 400 - 48 400 kr / month

Women earn 100% of what men do.

Pedagogiskt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Teacher, religious studies

Average salary 42 700 kr
Males 42 600 kr
Females 42 700 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 75 Vacant jobs ->

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

A religion teacher is responsible for instructing high school students in the subject of religious studies, which includes major world religions, ethics, and life questions. The work involves planning, delivering, and evaluating lessons based on curriculum goals, as well as creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. In addition to teaching, responsibilities often include mentoring, assessing student work, and documentation. Religion teachers typically work at high schools but may also be employed in adult education or other training formats. The work environment is characterized by daily contact with young people, collegial collaboration, and a continuous need for pedagogical development.

Salary development over time

Salaries for religion teachers have shown stable and positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 40100 SEK per month, increasing to 41 400 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary is 42 700 SEK per month, representing an increase of approximately 6.5 % over this period. This salary trend reflects continued demand for qualified high school teachers and general salary increases within the public sector. Factors influencing salary development include education level, work experience, and sector affiliation. The increased emphasis on qualification and subject depth has also contributed to raising salaries for subject teachers, including those teaching religious studies.

Religion teacher salary – full overview

  • Average salary: 42 700 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 32,400 SEK/month (female, private sector, pre-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 48,400 SEK/month (female, public sector, research degree)
  • Hourly wage: 257 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Women/Men: Women earn approximately the same as men (women: 42 700 SEK, men: 42 600 SEK)

Religious studies is one of the few high school subjects where teachers often lead discussions about worldviews, ethics, and society – requiring both subject depth and pedagogical sensitivity. This gives the profession a unique dynamic and the opportunity to influence students' critical thinking.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

To work as a religion teacher, a secondary teacher degree with specialization in religious studies is required, involving both subject studies and pedagogical training. The educational path is clearly regulated and includes both theoretical and practical components. Qualification to teach the subject is based on a combination of academic credits in religious studies and teacher training, often supplemented with practical training.

  • Teacher degree: 4.5–5 years (including subject studies and pedagogy)
  • Qualification: At least 90 hp in religious studies/religious education
  • Practical training (VFU): Included as an internship component
  • Additional pedagogical training (KPU): An alternative pathway for already subject-qualified individuals
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for university studies

Common benefits and compensations

Religion teachers are often covered by collective agreements that grant access to occupational pension, wellness allowances, parental leave, and further training. Other common benefits include flexible working hours, subsidized lunch, and opportunities for professional development. Some employers also offer extra vacation days and support for further education.

Competition and challenges

The job market for religion teachers is characterized by balance, meaning supply and demand for qualified teachers are relatively even. There are 434 job openings in the high school teaching group, but competition can vary across regions and school types. A challenge is that the subject sometimes has limited scheduling space, which can affect employment levels. At the same time, high demands are placed on subject competence and the ability to handle sensitive issues in the classroom. Teachers also need to stay updated on curriculum changes and societal debates.

Tips for aspiring religion teachers

To succeed as a religion teacher, it is beneficial to combine subject curiosity with pedagogical skills and communicative ability. Being attentive and respectful is crucial when leading discussions on sensitive topics, so practice creating an open classroom climate. Good planning and organizational skills facilitate lesson preparation and documentation. Patience and the ability to engage students with diverse backgrounds are also valuable. Continuing professional development through further training and networking provides an advantage in the profession. Finally, flexibility and readiness to adapt teaching to students' needs and societal changes are important.

Key facts about religion teachers

  • Education level: Secondary teacher degree (4.5–5 years)
  • Work environment: School environment, often at high schools
  • Demand: Moderate, balanced between supply and demand
  • Typical employment: Full-time, permanent position
  • Special expertise: Religious studies and pedagogy

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a religion teacher can take on mentoring, become subject coordinator, or develop their career through further education as a special educator or school principal. There are also opportunities to work with course development, supervision, or teacher training. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast for high school teachers, the employment opportunities are considered moderate and the recruitment situation is balanced. The demand is expected to remain unchanged over five years, providing stable future prospects. Regional variations may occur, especially between metropolitan areas and smaller towns.

Frequently asked questions about religion teachers

  • What is the average salary of a religion teacher?
    - The average salary is 42 700 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between women and men?
    - No, women and men earn approximately the same within this profession.
  • What education is required to become a religion teacher?
    - A upper secondary teacher degree with specialization in religious studies and at least 90 hp in the subject.
  • What is the job market like for religion teachers?
    - The job market is considered balanced with moderate opportunities for employment.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for the profession?
    - The highest salary is 48,400 SEK (female, public sector, research degree), the lowest is 32,400 SEK (female, private sector, pre-secondary education).
  • What is the hourly wage for a religion teacher?
    - The average hourly wage is 257 SEK.
  • What personal qualities are important for the profession?
    - Attentiveness, communicative ability, and subject curiosity are valuable qualities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-14 16:36:19

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Teacher, religious studies is 48400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Government sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 47000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Teacher, religious studies is 32400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 34700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 29400 kr 29800 kr
25-34 100% 38100 kr 38100 kr
35-44 100% 41900 kr 42000 kr
45-54 99% 44000 kr 44100 kr
55-64 100% 44300 kr 44400 kr
65-68 102% 44100 kr 44100 kr
Snitt 100% 42600 kr 42700 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Teacher, religious studies has the SSYK code 2330, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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