Salary progression Youth consultant

Average salary 32 700 kr
Males 32 500 kr
Females 32 800 kr

What does a youth counselor do? – Tasks and work environment

A youth counselor works to support, guide, and motivate young people in their daily lives and development. Tasks often include planning and implementing leisure activities, conducting individual conversations, collaborating with schools, social services, and community organizations, as well as initiating projects that strengthen youth participation and self-confidence. The work is typically within municipal services, schools, or voluntary organizations and involves both administrative and practical elements. The work environment is characterized by close contact with young people, often during afternoons and evenings, requiring great flexibility and responsiveness to the target group's needs.

Salary development over time

The salary for youth counselors has shown a stable and positive trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 29,600 SEK per month, increasing in 2023 to 31 900 SEK. In 2024, the average salary has continued upward and now amounts to 32 700 SEK, which is approximately an 8% increase over the three-year period. This development reflects a growing demand for skills in social work, as well as higher valuation of staff efforts in preventive youth work by municipalities and organizations. Salaries have also been influenced by collective agreements and an increased focus on gender equality, which is reflected in the small but clear difference in favor of women.

Youth counselor salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 32 700 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,400 SEK/month (men), 28,000 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 37,600 SEK/month (men), 35,700 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly rate: 192 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Women earn 32 800 SEK/month, men 32 500 SEK/month (women 101% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a youth counselor, a post-secondary education with a social or pedagogical focus is usually required, often at the college level. Many employers seek leisure leadership training, but a social worker degree or equivalent education is also common. Practical experience working with youth, as well as good collaboration and communication skills, are often crucial for success in the profession.

  • Formal education: Leisure leadership training (2 years), social worker or other post-secondary education with a social focus
  • Certifications/courses: Supplementary courses in conversation techniques, project management, or youth work
  • Internship: Internship or volunteer work with youth during training is recommended
  • Prerequisites: High school diploma, preferably with a focus on society or healthcare
  • Tips: Engagement in community or youth activities provides valuable experience

Many youth counselors testify that the work offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in young people's lives and influence their future. The role often provides great variation, where no day is like the other, and initiative and creativity are encouraged.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Youth counselors are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, skills development, and sometimes flexible working hours. Some employers offer opportunities for further education, supervision, and extra vacation days for work during inconvenient hours.

Competition and challenges

The job market for youth counselors is characterized by a balance between supply and demand, with 237 available positions in the profession currently. Opportunities for employment are considered moderate according to the Public Employment Service and are expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. A challenge is that competition for positions may increase as more people train in the field, while employers set higher requirements for documented experience and specialized skills. The work also involves managing complex social situations and sometimes meeting youth in vulnerable life situations, which requires patience and strong psychosocial abilities.

Tips for those aspiring to become a youth counselor

To succeed as a youth counselor, it is good to be attentive and empathetic, as contact with young people often requires understanding their different conditions and needs. Strong engagement facilitates creating meaningful activities and building trust. Being initiative-taking and flexible is valuable, especially when workdays can vary and unexpected challenges arise. Communication skills are essential for collaborating with both youth and colleagues across sectors. Finally, continuous training and openness to new methods are advantageous, as the profession is constantly evolving and demanding new skills.

Key facts about Youth Counselor

  • Education level: Post-secondary education (often 2 years)
  • Work environment: Varied, often municipal or voluntary organizations
  • Typical work form: Full-time, sometimes evening and weekend work
  • Demand: Moderate, approximately 237 available jobs nationally
  • Gender distribution: Women have a slightly higher average salary than men

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a youth counselor, there are opportunities to advance to coordinator, project manager, or manager within youth services. Some choose to further educate themselves as social workers or specialize in areas such as substance abuse treatment, integration work, or school-based interventions. According to the Public Employment Service’s forecast, the opportunities for employment in the field are moderate and expected to remain stable over the next five years. The profession suits those seeking a socially engaged career with the potential to influence on a societal level.

Frequently asked questions about Youth Counselor

  • What does a Youth Counselor earn?
    - The average salary is 32 700 SEK per month according to current statistics.
  • Are there differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women have a slightly higher average salary (32 800 SEK) than men (32 500 SEK).
  • What education is required to become a youth counselor?
    - Post-secondary education, often leisure leadership training (2 years) or social worker degree is recommended.
  • What does the job market look like?
    - Opportunities are moderate and expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What tasks are included?
    - Planning activities, individual conversations, and collaboration with other actors are common components.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries?
    - Highest salary: 37,600 SEK (men), 35,700 SEK (women). Lowest salary: 27,400 SEK (men), 28,000 SEK (women).
  • Is further education possible?
    - Yes, many employers offer skills development and further training within the field.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Youth consultant is 38000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 37300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Youth consultant is 28700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 29000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 98% 25300 kr 27100 kr
25-34 101% 30200 kr 32000 kr
35-44 101% 33100 kr 34300 kr
45-54 98% 33200 kr 34100 kr
55-64 99% 34500 kr 35300 kr
65-68 34700 kr 35700 kr
Snitt 101% 31400 kr 32700 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 Youth consultant has the SSYK code 3423, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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