How much does a Special educator, play therapy make

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  2. Special educator, play therapy
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Special educator, play therapy

45 900 kr

Special education teachers and special educators etc.

34 600 - 50 700 kr / month

Women earn 101% of what men do.

Pedagogiskt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Special educator, play therapy

Average salary 45 900 kr
Males 45 500 kr
Females 46 000 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 47 Vacant jobs ->

What does a special educator in play therapy do? – Tasks and work environment

A special educator specializing in play therapy primarily works to support children and young people who are in hospitals or institutions, often due to long-term illness or treatment. The tasks include creating a safe and stimulating environment where play, conversations, and educational activities are used to promote the child's development and well-being. The special educator works closely with healthcare staff, teachers, and parents to tailor interventions based on each child's individual needs. The work environment is characterized by presence in hospital settings or dedicated play therapy rooms, which requires flexibility, empathy, and the ability to handle emotional situations.

Salary development over time

The salary for a special educator in play therapy has shown a stable and positive trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK per month, increasing to 44 400 SEK in 2023, representing an increase of approximately 3.3%. For 2024, the average salary has continued to rise to 45 900 SEK, a further increase of 3.4% from the previous year. This salary progression reflects ongoing demand for specialized skills in healthcare, where expertise in play therapy is considered particularly valuable. The salary increase may also be linked to higher requirements for formal education and experience, as well as competition for qualified personnel in the public sector.

Special educator, play therapy salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 45 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,600 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 50,700 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 276 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 46 000 SEK, men 45 500 SEK (women earn 101% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: No data available on regional variation

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a special educator in play therapy begins with a teacher education, followed by advanced training as a special educator. Additional specialization or experience working with children in healthcare settings is required for play therapy. Many employers also seek experience from pedagogical work with children with special needs.

  • Teacher certification: Basic education of at least 3–4.5 years
  • Special educator program: Advanced level, 1.5 years
  • Experience with children in healthcare settings: Meritorious for employment
  • Internship or traineeship: Often part of the education
  • Further training in play therapy: Courses and supervision recommended

Working as a special educator in play therapy often involves close collaboration with healthcare teams and the opportunity to contribute to children's quality of life during difficult periods. Many describe the variety of workdays and creative elements as particularly rewarding and dynamic.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Special educators in play therapy are often covered by collective agreements, which include benefits such as occupational pension, paid vacation, wellness allowances, and opportunities for professional development. Other common compensations may include overtime pay for working unsociable hours and access to supervision and workplace support.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a special educator in play therapy is assessed as moderate, according to the Employment Service's forecasts for the profession. Demand for special educators is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, creating a stable job market but also a balanced recruitment situation. Challenges include meeting children's individual needs in complex healthcare environments and managing emotionally demanding situations. Flexibility and the ability to collaborate with healthcare staff and parents are also essential to achieve the best outcomes.

Tips for those who want to become a special educator in play therapy

To succeed as a special educator in play therapy, it is beneficial to combine pedagogical skills with genuine empathy and attentiveness. Being flexible and quickly adapting to different situations is crucial, especially as the work often takes place in changing healthcare environments. Gaining early experience working with children in vulnerable situations, such as through internships or volunteer work, is highly recommended. Good communication skills and patience are important traits, as collaboration with children, parents, and healthcare staff is central. Engagement in children's development and creative thinking facilitate adapting educational tools to each individual. Finally, actively seeking further training and supervision helps stay updated and provide the best possible support.

Key facts about Special Educator, play therapy

  • Salary range: 34,600–50,700 SEK/month
  • Average salary: 45 900 SEK/month
  • Education level: Teacher certification + special educator program (4.5–6 years)
  • Work environment: Hospitals and institutions, close to healthcare teams
  • Demand: Moderate, approximately 434 job openings within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, special educators in play therapy have opportunities to deepen their expertise in areas such as neuropsychiatric disabilities or advanced play therapy. It is also common to take on supervisory roles, become team leaders, or pursue further education in research or development within pediatric healthcare. According to the Employment Service's forecast, demand for the profession is expected to remain unchanged over five years, indicating stable future prospects and a balanced job market.

Frequently asked questions about Special Educator, play therapy

  • What does a special educator in play therapy earn?
    - The average salary is 45 900 SEK per month, with a range between 34,600 and 50,700 SEK.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Women earn an average of 46 000 SEK and men 45 500 SEK, which means women earn 101% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a special educator in play therapy?
    - Teacher certification followed by a postgraduate special educator program and experience working with children in healthcare settings.
  • Are there many job openings for a special educator in play therapy?
    - There are approximately 434 job openings nationwide within the profession.
  • What are the main challenges in the profession?
    - Meeting children's individual needs in complex healthcare environments and handling emotionally demanding situations.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - The forecast indicates unchanged demand and a stable job market according to the Employment Service.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-05 16:06:29

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Special educator, play therapy is 50700 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 50300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Special educator, play therapy is 34600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 34900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 40900 kr 40900 kr
35-44 98% 44400 kr 44500 kr
45-54 101% 46200 kr 46300 kr
55-64 101% 46800 kr 46800 kr
65-68 46300 kr 46300 kr
Snitt 101% 45900 kr 45900 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 Special educator, play therapy has the SSYK code 2351, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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