Sign language teacher

35 700 kr

Other educators with theoretical specialist competence

25 500 - 54 200 kr / month

Women earn 99% of what men do.

Pedagogiskt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Sign language teacher

Average salary 35 700 kr
Males 36 000 kr
Females 35 500 kr

What does a Sign Language Teacher do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Sign Language Teacher works on instructing students, learners, or adults in Swedish Sign Language. Responsibilities include planning and conducting lessons, adapting teaching materials, and assessing students' language development. Teaching often occurs both individually and in groups, and can include beginners as well as more advanced students. The environment varies between primary schools, high schools, adult education, and universities, but distance learning is also common. The work involves close collaboration with other educators and specialists, requiring high levels of linguistic and pedagogical competence.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary for Sign Language Teachers has shown a stable and positive trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,200 SEK per month, increasing to 34 200 SEK in 2023. The latest measurement for 2024 shows an average salary of 35 700 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 7.5% over three years. This rise can be linked to increased demand for specialized educators and general wage growth within the education sector. The salary increase has been slightly higher than the average for pedagogical professions, indicating that the Sign Language Teacher profession continues to be valued in the labor market.

Sign Language Teacher Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 35 700 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 25,500 SEK/month (female, public sector, pre-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 54,200 SEK/month (female, municipal sector, research education)
  • Hourly wage: 215 SEK
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 99% of what men do (35 500 SEK vs. 36 000 SEK)

Many Sign Language Teachers have a personal connection to sign language, such as through family or previous experiences with deaf culture. This often contributes to a deeper understanding and strong engagement in teaching.

– statsskuld.se

Education and Qualifications

To work as a Sign Language Teacher, a teacher training program with a focus on sign language, or a qualification in deaf pedagogy, is usually required. Documented experience in sign language and teaching is often sought after. For certain positions, advanced studies or doctoral qualifications may be advantageous. Practical experience, such as internships, is also valuable.

  • Teacher training with sign language specialization: 3–5 years
  • Courses in Swedish Sign Language: Advanced courses and certifications
  • Internships: Usually integrated into the training
  • Prerequisites: Good knowledge of Swedish Sign Language
  • Advanced education: Possible at universities (e.g., deaf pedagogy)

Common Benefits and Compensation

Sign Language Teachers are often covered by collective agreements, which include occupational pension, parental leave pay, holiday pay, and opportunities for professional development. Wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and remote work options are also available, especially within municipal and government sectors.

Competition and Challenges

The demand for Sign Language Teachers is generally stable, with a labor market characterized by balance according to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts. The profession is specialized, and the number of qualified professionals is limited, which can sometimes make it difficult for employers to recruit competent staff. At the same time, competition for permanent positions can be significant, especially in urban areas. Challenges may also arise from changes in educational policy or decreased demand for sign language instruction in certain regions. Digitalization and new teaching methods also require flexibility and ongoing skills development.

Tips for Aspiring Sign Language Teachers

To succeed as a Sign Language Teacher, it’s beneficial to combine pedagogical skills with a genuine interest in language and communication. Patience and the ability to adapt teaching methods to students’ needs are crucial, as is openness to new approaches and technologies. Being attentive and building trust in the classroom facilitates learning and collaboration. Continual professional development in sign language and pedagogy, as well as networking with others in the field, provides good opportunities for growth. Engagement and curiosity are important drivers, especially when working with diverse student groups. Finally, being flexible and solution-oriented is valuable, as the work environment and teaching formats can vary.

Key Facts about Sign Language Teachers

  • Average salary: 35 700 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 25,500–54,200 SEK/month
  • Education level: Teacher training with sign language focus (3–5 years)
  • Labor market: Balanced, approximately 434 job openings in the profession
  • Typical work setting: School, adult education, or remote teaching

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years as a Sign Language Teacher, opportunities exist to advance to roles such as special educator, training coordinator, or further education instructor within sign language. Some choose to pursue doctoral studies in linguistics or pedagogy, while others move into administrative roles within schools. The Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast for the broader group of educators with specialized academic skills, including Sign Language Teachers, indicates that the job market is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, with moderate employment prospects. This suggests continued good opportunities, especially for those with advanced skills or experience. Regional variations may occur, but the overall picture remains stable.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sign Language Teachers

  • What is the average salary of a Sign Language Teacher?
    - The average salary is 35 700 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a Sign Language Teacher?
    - A teacher training program with a focus on sign language, often 3–5 years, is required.
  • What do the gender pay differences look like?
    - Women earn 99% of what men do within the profession.
  • Are there many job openings for Sign Language Teachers?
    - There are approximately 434 job openings in the profession.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - The labor market is balanced with unchanged demand over the next five years.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries?
    - The highest salary is 54,200 SEK and the lowest is 25,500 SEK per month.
  • Where do Sign Language Teachers usually work?
    - Typically within schools, adult education, universities, or remotely.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Sign language teacher is 54200 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 49900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Sign language teacher is 25500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 29300 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 100% 24700 kr 24900 kr
25-34 100% 32800 kr 33000 kr
35-44 97% 35900 kr 36100 kr
45-54 100% 37700 kr 37800 kr
55-64 99% 38700 kr 38800 kr
65-68 101% 38300 kr 38500 kr
Snitt 99% 35500 kr 35700 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 Sign language teacher has the SSYK code 2359, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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