Talpedagog

What does a Speech Therapist do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A speech therapist works to identify, assess, and treat speech, language, and communication difficulties in children, adolescents, and adults. The role often involves collaboration with teachers, special educators, speech therapists, and parents to create individual intervention plans and support measures. The work is typically carried out within schools, habilitation centers, healthcare, or private practices and can include both individual sessions and group teaching. The work environment is characterized by varied meetings, high demands for flexibility, and close contact with students and colleagues.

Salary development over time

The salary development for speech therapists has been steadily positive over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK per month. In 2023, the average increased to 44 400 SEK, representing an increase of about 3.3%. In 2024, the average salary has reached 45 900 SEK, a further increase of 3.4% from the previous year. This trend can be explained by increased awareness of the need for special pedagogical interventions and more employers competing for qualified professionals. Women have a slightly higher average salary than men, which is unusual in many professions but here reflects the high proportion of female speech therapists and their education level. Salary increases can also be attributed to competence requirements, experience, and the sector of employment.

Speech Therapist Salary – Complete Overview

• Average Salary: 45 900 SEK/month
• Lowest Salary: 34,600 SEK/month
• Highest Salary: 50,700 SEK/month
• Hourly Wage (average): 276 SEK
• Women earn: 46 000 SEK/month (101 % of men)
• Men earn: 45 500 SEK/month
• Regional differences: Salary variations may occur between urban and rural areas, but most salaries fall within the above range.

Education and Qualifications

To work as a speech therapist, an academic degree with a pedagogical focus is required, often a special education teacher degree or a master's in special education with a focus on speech and language. The education includes both theoretical studies and practical experience from work-based training. Many positions also require additional courses or certifications in speech therapy, communication support, or neuropsychiatric disabilities.

• Special Education Teacher Degree: 1.5 years of additional studies after a teacher degree
• Teacher Degree: 3–4.5 years depending on specialization
• Practical training (VFU): Included in the education
• Prerequisites: Basic teaching certification
• Relevant courses: Language, speech, and communication disorders

Common Benefits and Compensation

Speech therapists are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowances, and extra vacation days. Continuing education, supervision, and opportunities for professional development are common, as well as reimbursement for work-related travel and sometimes flexible working hours. Employers within the public sector may also offer favorable conditions for parental leave and sick leave.

Competition and Challenges

The competition for positions as a speech therapist is considered moderate, with a recruitment situation characterized by a balance between supply and demand in the job market. Challenges in the profession may include meeting increasing documentation requirements, adapting to new digital tools, and working with students with complex needs. A shortage of specialized speech therapists in certain regions can lead to a high workload, especially in the public sector. The profession also requires ongoing professional development to stay updated on new methods and diagnoses.

Tips for those who want to become a Speech Therapist

To succeed as a speech therapist, it is good to have a genuine interest in people and communication. Engagement and patience are essential qualities, as the work often involves long-term efforts and individually tailored solutions. It is recommended to gain broad experience from different school types and age groups, and to actively seek supervision and further training. Precision and structure are important for managing documentation and evaluation of interventions. The ability to collaborate with other professionals and parents also enhances success. Being attentive and flexible facilitates meeting students' diverse needs, and a willingness to develop helps you keep up with the rapid technological development in the field.

Key Facts about Speech Therapist

• Average Salary: 45 900 SEK/month
• Salary Range: 34,600–50,700 SEK/month
• Gender Distribution: Women earn 101 % of men's salary
• Educational Requirements: Special education teacher degree after teacher degree
• Job Market: Balanced, 434 available jobs within the profession

Career Paths and Future Prospects

After three to five years as a speech therapist, the role can expand into specialist assignments, such as being responsible for speech and language development at a larger school or within a municipality. There are also opportunities to work as a supervisor for colleagues or to further specialize in speech therapy or neuropsychiatry. The forecast from the Employment Service indicates that the job market for special teachers and special educators, including speech therapists, is expected to remain stable with moderate opportunities for employment and unchanged demand over the next five years. Technological developments and increased requirements for specialized competence may create new career paths in the field over time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Speech Therapists

• What does a Speech Therapist earn?
  - A speech therapist has an average salary of 45 900 SEK per month. The salary range varies from 34,600 to 50,700 SEK depending on experience, education, and sector.
• How has the salary development for speech therapists been?
  - Salaries have increased steadily over the past years, from 43,000 SEK in 2022 to 45 900 SEK in 2024, with an annual increase of just over 3%.
• Are there gender differences in salary?
  - Yes, women earn an average of 46 000 SEK per month, which corresponds to 101 % of men's salary (45 500 SEK).
• What education is required to become a speech therapist?
  - A special education teacher degree with a focus on speech and language is required, which is an advanced program after a teacher degree.
• What is the job market like for speech therapists?
  - The job market is balanced with 434 available jobs within the profession and unchanged demand according to forecasts.
• Where do speech therapists work?
  - They work in schools, habilitation centers, healthcare, and private practices.
• What is the highest salary for a speech therapist?
  - The highest salary is 50,700 SEK and belongs to a woman with a doctoral degree in the public sector.