- Salary statistics
- Music therapist salary
Music therapist salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
35 700 - 51 300 SEK / month
Women earn 94% of what men do.
Hälso- & sjukvård
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Salary progression Music therapist
What does a music therapist do? – Tasks and work environment
A music therapist works with using music as a means to promote health, well-being, and personal development for individuals or groups. Tasks can include leading musical activities, improvisation, listening, and music creation to support people with psychological, physical, or social challenges. Music therapists are often active in healthcare, schools, elder care, rehabilitation centers, and psychiatry. The work environment varies from calm treatment rooms to more lively settings where group activities are held, and the profession requires both teamwork skills and a high sensitivity to clients' needs.
Salary development over time
The salary for a music therapist has steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 39,100 SEK per month, which increased to 42 100 SEK in 2023 and further to 43 700 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total increase of approximately 7.7% over three years. This salary development reflects a growing demand for specialist competence in healthcare, especially within rehabilitation and psychosocial interventions. The education level of professionals has also risen, contributing to higher salaries. Part of the salary increase can also be explained by music therapists increasingly working in the public sector, where collective agreements and salary negotiations positively influence development.
Music therapist salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 43 700 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 33,200 SEK/month (female, private sector, high school education)
- Highest salary: 50,800 SEK/month (male, postgraduate education, various sectors)
- Hourly wage: 253 SEK
- Women: 43 000 SEK/month
- Men: 45 700 SEK/month
- Women earn: 94% of men's salaries
Education and qualifications
To work as a music therapist, specialized education with both music-theoretical and therapeutic components is required. Many music therapists have a university degree in music therapy, combining practical and theoretical elements with internships. Experience working with people of different ages and needs is often also necessary.
- Formal degree: Bachelor's in music therapy (3 years) or equivalent
- Further education: Master's programs in music therapy or related fields
- Certification: Licensure or certification may be required in certain regions
- Internship: Mandatory practical training in healthcare or similar settings
- Prerequisites: Basic musical skills and experience working with people
Many music therapists have backgrounds as musicians, music educators, or in psychology, which provides a unique ability to meet clients' needs creatively. The combination of musicality and empathy makes the profession particularly dynamic and rewarding.
Common benefits and compensations
Music therapists are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness contributions, and opportunities for further training. Many employers in the public sector also provide access to supervision, professional development, and flexible working hours. Other compensations can include extra vacation, insurance, and support for work-related continuing education.
Competition and challenges
The competition for positions as a music therapist can vary depending on the region and labor market needs. Larger cities often have more positions but also more applicants with higher education levels. A challenge is that the profession is sometimes less known within certain organizations, which can lead to limited resources or unclear job descriptions. Success requires broad competence and the ability to demonstrate the value of music therapy in various contexts. It is also common for music therapists to work in interdisciplinary teams, which requires collaboration skills and flexibility.
Tips for those wanting to become a music therapist
To succeed as a music therapist, it is good to have strong empathy and sensitivity to others' needs. Gaining early experience working with different target groups, through internships or volunteer work, provides valuable insights. Creativity and musical skills are essential, so developing your own musical expression and broadening your repertoire during education is advantageous. It is important to be communicative and clear in your role, especially when working in teams with other professionals. Continuously furthering your education and engaging with new research in the field enhances competence and confidence. The ability to reflect and handle emotional situations professionally is also central. Finally, building networks within both the music and healthcare sectors increases employment opportunities.
Key facts about a Music Therapist
- Education level: Bachelor's or master's in music therapy
- Work environment: Healthcare, schools, rehabilitation, elder care
- Average monthly salary: 43 700 SEK
- Demand: 375 job openings within the profession according to latest data
- Special skills: Musicality combined with therapeutic competence
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, many music therapists have opportunities to specialize further, for example within child and adolescent psychiatry, neurological rehabilitation, or elder care. Some choose to pursue doctoral studies or supervisory roles, while others develop their own practices and work as consultants. According to the Employment Service, the outlook is positive, especially in the public sector where the need for psychosocial interventions is increasing. With 375 job openings within the profession, the statistics indicate continued high demand and stable career opportunities.
Common questions about Music Therapists
- What does a Music Therapist earn?
- The average salary is 43 700 SEK per month, but it varies depending on experience, education, and employer. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, men earn an average of 45 700 SEK while women earn 43 000 SEK, which means women earn 94% of men's salaries. - What education is required to work as a Music Therapist?
- A bachelor's degree in music therapy or equivalent is usually required, sometimes supplemented with further education. - What is the job market like for Music Therapists?
- There is strong demand for music therapists, with 375 job openings according to current statistics. - What work environments are common for Music Therapists?
- Common workplaces include healthcare, schools, rehabilitation centers, and elder care. - What are career opportunities?
- After a few years of experience, there are opportunities for specialization, supervision, or research within the field. - What is the highest and lowest salary for Music Therapists?
- The highest salary is 50,800 SEK and the lowest is 33,200 SEK, depending on education, experience, and sector.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 35600 kr | 36100 kr | |
| 35-44 | 41300 kr | 41700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 46300 kr | 47300 kr | |
| 55-64 | 48800 kr | 49700 kr | |
| Snitt | 94% | 43000 kr | 43700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 107% | 28600 kr | 29200 kr |
| 25-34 | 104% | 35400 kr | 35900 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 41300 kr | 41700 kr |
| 45-54 | 89% | 46600 kr | 47700 kr |
| 55-64 | 88% | 49400 kr | 50700 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 55100 kr | 55100 kr |
| Snitt | 93% | 42700 kr | 43400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 45900 kr | 46000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 107% | 28600 kr | 29200 kr |
| 25-34 | 104% | 35400 kr | 35900 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 41200 kr | 41700 kr |
| 45-54 | 89% | 46600 kr | 47700 kr |
| 55-64 | 88% | 49500 kr | 50800 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 55100 kr | 55100 kr |
| Snitt | 93% | 42700 kr | 43400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 94% | 44500 kr | 45700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 107% | 27500 kr | 27500 kr |
| 25-34 | 104% | 34400 kr | 34900 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 41300 kr | 41900 kr |
| 45-54 | 89% | 49300 kr | 51800 kr |
| 55-64 | 88% | 53300 kr | 55300 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 57500 kr | 57500 kr |
| Snitt | 93% | 44400 kr | 45700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 107% | 27500 kr | 27500 kr |
| 25-34 | 104% | 34400 kr | 34900 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 41300 kr | 41900 kr |
| 45-54 | 89% | 49400 kr | 51900 kr |
| 55-64 | 88% | 53300 kr | 55300 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 57500 kr | 57500 kr |
| Snitt | 93% | 44400 kr | 45700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 36100 kr | 36600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 41400 kr | 41700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45400 kr | 45900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 47400 kr | 48000 kr | |
| Snitt | 94% | 42500 kr | 43000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 107% | 28800 kr | 29500 kr |
| 25-34 | 104% | 35800 kr | 36200 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 41300 kr | 41600 kr |
| 45-54 | 89% | 45600 kr | 46100 kr |
| 55-64 | 88% | 47700 kr | 48600 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 54400 kr | 54400 kr |
| Snitt | 93% | 42100 kr | 42600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 46900 kr | 46900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 107% | 28800 kr | 29500 kr |
| 25-34 | 104% | 35800 kr | 36200 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 41200 kr | 41600 kr |
| 45-54 | 89% | 45600 kr | 46100 kr |
| 55-64 | 88% | 47700 kr | 48700 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 54400 kr | 54400 kr |
| Snitt | 93% | 42100 kr | 42600 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 Music therapist has the SSYK code 2289, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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