Play therapist salary

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Play therapist salary

37 600 SEK

Preschool teachers

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

24 300 - 41 400 SEK / month

Women earn 102% of what men do.

Pedagogiskt arbete

Average salary 37 600 SEK/month Monthly gross salary
Salary range 24 300 - 41 400 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Calculate take-home pay for Play therapist 37 600 SEK/month prefilled Calculate gross salary for Play therapist Start from net pay More salary pages Browse more roles Open jobs for Play therapist 160 matching jobs in Pedagogiskt arbete

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Salary trend About the role What does a lekterapeut do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Lekterapeut salary – complete overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Play therapist

Average salary 37 600 kr
Males 36 900 kr
Females 37 600 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 160 Vacant jobs ->

What does a lekterapeut do? – Tasks and work environment

A lekterapeut works to support children's development, well-being, and rehabilitation through pedagogical and therapeutic play-focused activities. The role involves planning and implementing activities tailored to the individual needs of children, often at hospitals, habilitation centers, or special residences. The lekterapeut collaborates closely with healthcare staff, parents, and other specialists to create safe environments where children can express themselves, process experiences, and develop at their own pace. The work environment is varied and can include everything from hospital settings to play therapy rooms and outdoor environments, requiring creativity and flexibility.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salaries for lekterapeuts have shown steady growth. In 2022, the average salary was 33,600 SEK per month, increasing the following year to 36 300 SEK, representing an approximate 3% rise. Between 2023 and 2024, the trend continued upward, with the average salary reaching 37 600 SEK per month, an additional increase of about 4.6%. This development reflects an increased demand for skills in pedagogical and therapeutic professions, as well as a greater focus on supporting children during care and rehabilitation. Salary growth is also influenced by factors such as education level, experience, and sector, with public sector employers often offering slightly higher wages than private providers.

Many lekterapeuts report that their work has a crucial impact on children's mental health during long hospital stays. The power of play is used as an educational tool to reduce anxiety and strengthen children's ability to handle difficult situations.

– statsskuld.se

Lekterapeut salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 37 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 23,700 SEK/month (female, private sector employee, pre-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 40,100 SEK/month (female, public sector, research education)
  • Hourly wage: 218 SEK
  • Women earn: 37 600 SEK (102% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 36 900 SEK
  • Regional differences: No specific statistics available, but salary levels may be affected by location and employer.

Education and qualifications

To work as a lekterapeut, a pedagogical university degree is usually required, often with a focus on preschool teachers or leisure pedagogues, supplemented with further training in lektherapy. Many employers also seek experience working with children requiring special support, as well as good knowledge of child development and psychology.

  • Formal degree: Preschool teacher education or equivalent (3.5 years)
  • Further education: Specialized courses in lektherapy or pediatric healthcare
  • Internship: Internships in child and youth care are recommended
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for university studies
  • Tips for choosing: Select programs focusing on child development and pedagogy

Common benefits and compensations

Lekterapeuts are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, professional development, and opportunities for further training. Additional perks may include occupational pension, flexible working hours, and collective insurance schemes. In the public sector, extra vacation days and salary exchange options are also common.

Competition and challenges

Competition for lekterapeut positions is relatively low, but challenges include high demands for specialized skills and the ability to meet individual children's needs. The work can be emotionally demanding, as it often takes place in environments with sick or vulnerable children. The shortage of lekterapeuts and specialized training can make recruitment difficult for employers. Additionally, adaptability is essential, as tasks vary depending on children's situations and institutional resources. However, the profession offers significant opportunities for personal growth and meaningful work.

Tips for aspiring lekterapeuts

To succeed as a lekterapeut, it is beneficial to combine empathy with pedagogical skill and creativity. Building relationships with children and their families requires sensitivity and good communication skills, while collaboration with other professionals is crucial. Ongoing education and staying updated on new methods in lektherapy are valuable. Flexibility and adapting approaches to meet individual children's needs make a big difference. For those with patience and a genuine desire to contribute to children's development, being a lekterapeut can be highly rewarding. Gaining practical experience through internships during training often provides valuable insights and enhances employability. Finally, self-awareness and emotional resilience are important, as the work can involve difficult situations and meetings.

Key facts about Lekterapeut

  • Education level: University degree, often preschool teacher (3.5 years) + further training
  • Work environment: Hospitals, habilitation centers, special residences, health centers
  • Demand: Excellent job prospects nationwide
  • Typical work arrangement: Full-time, often daytime
  • Special requirements: Experience working with children requiring special support

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a lekterapeut, there are opportunities to advance to leadership roles within child and youth services, such as supervisor, trainer, or coordinator for lektherapy. Further education in pedagogy, special education, or child psychology is common to broaden responsibilities. The Swedish Public Employment Service forecasts continued strong demand for professionals within the field, with stable prospects over the next five years. There is a paradoxical recruitment situation nationally, with both difficulties in hiring and staff turnover. As of early 2024, there were 434 job openings in the profession, highlighting the need for qualified personnel. Lekterapeuts with specialist skills or experience in complex care situations have particularly good opportunities for career development.

Frequently asked questions about Lekterapeut

  • What does a lekterapeut earn?
    - A lekterapeut has an average salary of 37 600 SEK per month.
  • How to become a lekterapeut?
    - The common path is preschool teacher education or similar pedagogical training, supplemented with further education in lektherapy.
  • Are there job opportunities for lekterapeuts?
    - Yes, job opportunities are plentiful and demand is expected to remain unchanged in the coming years.
  • Which workplaces hire lekterapeuts?
    - Primarily hospitals, habilitation centers, special residences, and pediatric healthcare.
  • What does a lekterapeut do?
    - The lekterapeut works with children's development and rehabilitation through educational and therapeutic activities.
  • What is the gender distribution in the profession?
    - Women are in the majority and earn on average 102% of men's salaries.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Salaries can vary depending on location and employer, but detailed statistics are lacking.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 15:59:50

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Play therapist is 41400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Privately employed workers with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 40400 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Play therapist is 24300 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 24900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 26300 kr 26400 kr
25-34 102% 35600 kr 35700 kr
35-44 98% 37200 kr 37200 kr
45-54 99% 38600 kr 38700 kr
55-64 105% 39200 kr 39300 kr
65-68 38300 kr 38400 kr
Snitt 102% 37500 kr 37600 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 Play therapist has the SSYK code 2343, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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31 390
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Fees
12 582

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