Play therapist salary

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Play therapist salary
Image that illustrates Play therapist

Play therapist salary

37 100 SEK

Treatment assistants and social pedagogues etc.

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

33 500 - 46 600 SEK / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Socialt arbete

Average salary 37 100 SEK/month Monthly gross salary
Salary range 33 500 - 46 600 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

Related tools

Calculate take-home pay for Play therapist 37 100 SEK/month prefilled Calculate gross salary for Play therapist Start from net pay More salary pages Browse more roles Open jobs for Play therapist 329 matching jobs in Socialt arbete

Jump to

Salary trend About the role What does a play therapist do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Play therapist salary – comprehensive overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Play therapist

Average salary 37 100 kr
Males 37 400 kr
Females 36 800 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 329 Vacant jobs ->

What does a play therapist do? – Tasks and work environment

A play therapist works with helping individuals who have problems with gambling addiction or risky gambling behaviors. Tasks include offering individual counseling, leading group treatments, and working on preventative measures to reduce gambling-related harm. Play therapists often collaborate with other professionals in social services, addiction treatment, and sometimes with relatives of those with gambling problems. The work environment is typically a treatment facility, a social office, or a clinic, where meetings with clients happen both physically and digitally. The job requires high empathy and good knowledge of addiction issues and current legislation.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for play therapists has steadily increased. In 2022, the average salary was 33,200 SEK per month, which increased to 36 100 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary is 37 100 SEK, representing a total increase of approximately 8.7% over this period. This salary growth can partly be explained by increased awareness of gambling addiction issues and a higher demand for specialized personnel in the field. Despite a relatively stable job market, the profession has benefited from investments in preventative work and improved conditions within the public sector.

Play therapist salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 37 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (women/men): 31,800 SEK / 32,400 SEK
  • Highest salary (women/men): 41,500 SEK / 39,200 SEK
  • Hourly wage (average): 217 SEK
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 98% of men's salary (36 800 SEK vs. 37 400 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a play therapist, a post-secondary education in social work, psychology, or addiction treatment is generally required. Many employers prefer a degree in social work or equivalent, supplemented with specialized courses in gambling addiction and treatment. Practical experience from treatment work and good insight into gambling issues are highly meritorious.

  • Social work degree: 3.5 years at university/higher education
  • Specialized courses in gambling addiction: 1–2 semesters, often remote
  • Internship: Usually during education
  • Additional certifications: Courses in MI (Motivational Interviewing), CBT or similar
  • Prerequisites: Experience working with addiction issues is an advantage

Play therapists often work closely with clients' relatives, as support from close ones can be crucial for successful treatment. Building trust and creating a safe environment is central to the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Play therapists within the public sector are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, extra vacation days, and occupational pension. Many employers also offer supervision, professional development, and flexible working hours. Some workplaces provide access to occupational health services and subsidized training.

Competition and challenges

The profession of play therapist is part of a broad occupational group where competition for positions is relatively balanced. There are about 237 job openings nationwide, indicating demand but also some competition for attractive workplaces. Challenges include managing complex client cases, staying updated with current research and legislation, and working preventively in a rapidly changing gambling market. Meeting clients in crisis requires resilience and the ability to handle emotional stress. Additionally, the role may involve responsibility for documentation and collaboration with other authorities.

Tips for aspiring play therapists

To succeed as a play therapist, it is beneficial to have strong empathy and listening skills, as clients' situations are often sensitive and complex. Developing patience and perseverance is crucial, as the process of overcoming gambling addiction can be lengthy. Analytical skills help identify patterns and risk factors in clients, making treatment more effective. It is also important to collaborate and communicate clearly with colleagues and relatives, especially when coordinating different support measures. Continuing education in addiction and using evidence-based methods strengthen the professional role. Flexibility facilitates adaptation to new treatment approaches and changes in legislation. Finally, maintaining strong integrity builds trust and safety in client interactions.

Key facts about Play Therapist

  • Average salary: 37 100 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 31,800–41,500 SEK/month
  • Educational requirements: Degree in social work or equivalent
  • Work environment: Treatment unit, social office, or clinic
  • Demand: 237 job openings nationwide

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a play therapist can advance to roles such as coordinator, method developer, or manager within addiction treatment. Further education in psychotherapy or specialization in areas such as youth or family work opens additional career opportunities. According to the Employment Service, the job prospects are assessed as moderate and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. The recruitment situation is characterized by balance, meaning there is neither a shortage nor an oversupply of play therapists nationwide. The profession offers stable future prospects, especially for those willing to further their education and take on new responsibilities in the field.

Frequently asked questions about Play Therapist

  • What does a play therapist earn?
    - A play therapist has an average salary of 37 100 SEK per month. The salary range varies from 31,800 SEK to 41,500 SEK depending on experience, education, and sector.
  • Are there gender differences in play therapist salaries?
    - Yes, women earn an average of 36 800 SEK and men 37 400 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a play therapist?
    - Most commonly, a degree in social work or equivalent, along with specialized courses in gambling addiction.
  • What are the future prospects for play therapists?
    - The forecast indicates moderate demand and a balanced job market, with stable employment opportunities according to the Employment Service.
  • What work environments are common for play therapists?
    - Treatment units, social services, addiction clinics, and sometimes digital consultations.
  • How has the salary development been for play therapists?
    - The salary has increased positively by approximately 8.7% over the last three years.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - No available data on regional salary differences for play therapists.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-05 16:52:27

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Play therapist is 46600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Municipal sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 40000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Play therapist is 33500 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 29700 kr 32800 kr
25-34 94% 33500 kr 35900 kr
35-44 99% 34800 kr 37100 kr
45-54 99% 35500 kr 38100 kr
55-64 101% 36000 kr 37900 kr
65-68 104% 34700 kr 37500 kr
Snitt 98% 34700 kr 37100 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

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 3411, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations

Compare salary, work tasks and job outlook in adjacent occupations to find roles with similar skills or pay levels.

  • Read more about working as Family counselor

    Family counselor salary

    Average salary: 41 500 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Counselors

    Compare with Play therapist

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:54
  • Read more about working as Retirement consultant

    Retirement consultant salary

    Average salary: 32 700 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Recreation leaders etc.

    Compare with Play therapist

    Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 13:48
  • Read more about working as Funeral representative

    Funeral representative salary

    Average salary: 34 700 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Funeral and crematory staff

    Compare with Play therapist

    Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 17:31
  • Read more about working as Parish deaconess

    Parish deaconess salary

    Average salary: 44 100 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Deacons

    Compare with Play therapist

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:54
  • Read more about working as Day center workers

    Day center workers salary

    Average salary: 33 300 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Caregivers, residential support

    Compare with Play therapist

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 08:08
  • Read more about working as Farm manager, leisure center

    Farm manager, leisure center salary

    Average salary: 32 700 SEK/month • Socialt arbete

    Recreation leaders etc.

    Compare with Play therapist

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:57
Latest posts
  • Promocode - Discount code for Smartphoto

    Promocode

    Discount code for Smartphoto

    Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 12:00
  • Public Opinion - Novus Opinion Poll 2026-06-17 – Social Democrats Lose

    Public Opinion

    Novus Opinion Poll 2026-06-17 – Social Democrats Lose

    Wed, 17 Jun 2026 - 09:35
  • National Debt - National Debt – Level, GDP Share, and Development to 2026

    National Debt

    National Debt – Level, GDP Share, and Development to 2026

    Mon, 8 Jun 2026 - 09:59
  • Inflation - Inflation May 2026 – KPIF Rises to 1.5 Percent

    Inflation

    Inflation May 2026 – KPIF Rises to 1.5 Percent

    Thu, 4 Jun 2026 - 08:30
  • Tips - Create a Professional Website with AI - That's Why I Built Deffe.com

    Tips

    Create a Professional Website with AI - That's Why I Built Deffe.com

    Tue, 19 May 2026 - 22:28
  • Municipality -

    Municipality

    Tue, 19 May 2026 - 00:35
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 390
Net salary
31 390
Taxes
11 718
Fees
12 582

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2026 taxes

Explore more topics

Continue exploring Statsskuld.se

Hand-picked next steps that connect calculators, public data and articles.

Latest articles