Summary
Swedish teacher salaries vary significantly depending on role, region and sector. A compulsory school teacher in the municipal sector earns on average 40,400 kr per month, while a principal earns 58,900 kr. Compared to the average monthly salary across the labour market (41,600 kr), most teacher roles fall below.
Salary by role
The table shows average monthly salary (including supplements) for the most common school roles. The gender gap indicates how much lower women's average salary is compared to men's in the same role.
| Role | Monthly salary | Count | Gender gap F/M | Private vs municipal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principals | 58,900 kr | 11,600 | 2.7 % | +500 kr |
| Special needs teachers | 45,900 kr | 14,800 | -1.5 % | -3,100 kr |
| Upper secondary teachers | 42,700 kr | 26,300 | -0.7 % | -4,000 kr |
| Vocational subject teachers | 41,600 kr | 11,600 | 0.0 % | -1,800 kr |
| Compulsory school teachers | 40,200 kr | 112,500 | -2.5 % | -700 kr |
| Career counsellors | 40,100 kr | 4,400 | -2.6 % | -900 kr |
| Preschool teachers | 36,300 kr | 60,800 | -1.7 % | +200 kr |
| School assistants | 34,500 kr | 5,300 | 0.9 % | -2,200 kr |
| Leisure-time pedagogues | 34,100 kr | 16,300 | -2.4 % | +1,200 kr |
Salary spread — what can you expect?
Salaries vary considerably within each role. The chart shows percentiles: the lowest-paid 10% (p10), the median, and the highest-paid 10% (p90). The width of the "box" shows the salary range for the middle half (p25–p75).
Regional differences — compulsory school teachers
Teacher salaries vary across Sweden's NUTS2 regions. Stockholm pays the highest — but the cost of living is also higher. The northern regions have lower salaries but potentially lower costs.
| Region | Monthly salary | Difference from national avg |
|---|---|---|
| National average | 40,400 kr | — |
| Stockholm | 44,800 kr | +4,400 kr |
| Västsverige | 40,600 kr | +200 kr |
| Sydsverige | 40,300 kr | -100 kr |
| Östra Mellansverige | 39,200 kr | -1,200 kr |
| Småland med öarna | 39,000 kr | -1,400 kr |
| Övre Norrland | 38,700 kr | -1,700 kr |
| Mellersta Norrland | 37,800 kr | -2,600 kr |
| Norra Mellansverige | 37,200 kr | -3,200 kr |
Gender pay gap
In most school professions, men earn more on average. The gap is largest among principals (2.7 %). Among preschool teachers and leisure-time pedagogues, where the proportion of women is highest, an inverse pattern is often observed.
Note that the pay gap is not solely explained by discrimination — it co-varies with age, experience, school type and geographic location. But the pattern is clear and recurring.
Municipal vs independent sector
Independent schools pay slightly more than municipal employers in most roles. However, the difference is small — often just a few hundred kronor — and varies greatly between individual schools. Note that municipal teachers often have better pension terms and more secure employment.
Methodology and sources
Salary data comes from Statistics Sweden's salary structure statistics (AM0110), which annually collects salary information for all employees in Sweden. The occupational classification follows SSYK 2012 (Swedish Standard Classification of Occupations). The regional division is NUTS2.
Base salary includes fixed salary and fixed supplements. Monthly salary also includes variable supplements, unsocial hours pay and on-call pay. All amounts are averages in Swedish kronor per month.
Source: SCB Salary Structure Statistics.