Image that illustrates School office

School office

48 300 kr

Musicians, singers and composers

42 200 - 51 900 kr / month

Women earn 85% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression School office

Average salary 48 300 kr
Males 51 900 kr
Females 44 200 kr

What does a school cantor do? – Tasks and work environment

A school cantor is responsible for leading and accompanying singing and music in the school's activities. Common tasks include playing piano or organ at school ceremonies, holidays, and church services, as well as planning and conducting music lessons for students of various ages. The school cantor often collaborates with teachers and school management to integrate music into the educational work. The work environment includes presence in classrooms, music rooms, and sometimes churches or assembly halls, where both individual work and cooperation with other professionals occur.

Salary development over time

The salary for a school cantor has shown some variation over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 45,200 SEK per month, which slightly decreased to 44 300 SEK in 2023, corresponding to a reduction of about 2%. However, in 2024, the salary has risen sharply to 48 300 SEK, representing an increase of nearly 9% compared to the previous year. This salary trend can be interpreted as a result of increased demand for trained musicians in schools, as well as a general salary adjustment within the profession of musicians, singers, and composers. Gender salary gaps remain, affecting the average, but the positive trend in 2024 suggests that the profession is gaining appreciation and that competition for skilled school cantors has intensified.

School cantor salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 48 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 42,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 51,900 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 290 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 44,200 SEK (85% of men's salary), men earn 51,900 SEK
  • Regional differences: Data on regional differences is currently unavailable

Education and qualifications

To work as a school cantor, a combination of music theory education and practical experience in leading musical activities is required. The educational path varies but often includes music college, folk high school, or other post-secondary education focusing on church music or music pedagogy. Additional courses and internships can be crucial for employability.

  • Formal degree: Post-secondary education in music (2–4 years)
  • Certifications: Possible supplementary courses in pedagogy or church music
  • Internships: Internships or trainee positions are common
  • Prerequisites: Basic skills in piano/organ and singing
  • Advice for choosing: Select education with a strong focus on both musical and pedagogical skills

Many school cantors have opportunities to develop their own music projects and collaborate with external musicians, making the profession creative and varied. It is common to combine the role with choir conducting or to take responsibility for the school's music equipment and technology.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

The most common benefits for school cantors include occupational pension, wellness allowance, and opportunities for professional development. Extra compensation may be provided for evening events or weekend work, and flexible working hours are often available for planning the school's music activities.

Competition and challenges

Despite the fact that job opportunities for school cantors are considered plentiful nationwide, there is a paradoxical recruitment situation. While demand remains stable, there are difficulties in recruiting qualified candidates, often due to skill requirements and high workload. Part-time work or attrition from the profession is common, which can lead to high turnover. Challenges also include meeting students' shifting musical interests and adapting to varying work environments, where both traditional and digital tools are used. For those looking to establish themselves in the profession, flexibility and broad musical competence are advantageous.

Tips for aspiring school cantors

To succeed as a school cantor, it is beneficial to combine musical skill with pedagogical ability and a genuine interest in working with children and youth. Being communicative facilitates collaboration with students and colleagues, while a high degree of independence makes it easier to plan and execute musical activities independently. Engagement is important to inspire students and create a positive atmosphere around music. Staying updated on new teaching methods and digital tools is also wise, as technological development influences work practices. Being attentive and flexible helps with varying tasks and unexpected situations. Finally, building networks within the music and education sectors for exchanging experiences and finding inspiration is valuable.

Key facts about School Cantors

  • Salary range: 42,200–51,900 SEK/month
  • Average salary: 48 300 SEK/month
  • Education level: Post-secondary education in music (2–4 years)
  • Typical employment: Permanent positions at schools or congregations
  • Demand: Great opportunities for work, 620 available jobs in the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a school cantor, there may be opportunities to advance to leadership roles within the school's music activities, such as music coordinator or cultural project manager. Some choose to further their education in music pedagogy or specialize in choir conducting. The prognosis from the Employment Service indicates that the job market for cantors and organists, including school cantors, remains strong with ample opportunities for employment and stable demand over the next five years. The paradoxical recruitment situation, with both shortages and high turnover, means that those with the right education and experience have good chances of employment and career development.

Frequently asked questions about School Cantors

  • What does a school cantor earn?
    - The average salary for a school cantor is 48 300 SEK per month.
  • What are the salary differences between women and men?
    - Men earn an average of 51,900 SEK and women 44,200 SEK, meaning women earn 85% of what men do.
  • What education is required to become a school cantor?
    - Post-secondary education in music, often at a folk high school or music college, is required.
  • What is the job market like for school cantors?
    - Opportunities for employment are plentiful, with currently 620 available jobs in the profession.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Specific information about regional differences is currently unavailable.
  • What are the most common job tasks?
    - Leading music instruction, accompanying at school events, and collaborating with teachers and students.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a School office is 51900 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 44200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a School office is 42200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 49800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
35-44 88% 47600 kr 48100 kr
45-54 44100 kr 44900 kr
55-64 96% 46900 kr 48100 kr
65-68 45500 kr 46800 kr
Snitt 85% 47400 kr 48300 kr
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 School office has the SSYK code 2652, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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