Building antiquarian

What does a Bebyggelseantikvarie do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Bebyggelseantikvarie works with documenting, analyzing, and preserving built cultural heritage. Tasks often include surveying buildings, advising on restoration, developing built environment projects, and investigations related to cultural heritage legislation. Many are employed by county administrative boards, museums, municipalities, or consulting firms, working closely with architects, civil engineers, and property owners. The work environment varies between office work, field studies, and meetings, requiring both analytical skills and a strong interest in history and societal development.

Salary development over time

The salary for Bebyggelseantikvarier has steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,700 SEK per month. In 2023, it rose to 37 600 SEK, representing an increase of about 2.5%. In 2024, the average salary has continued upward to 38 900 SEK, a further increase of approximately 3.4% from the previous year. This trend reflects an increased demand for expertise in cultural environment preservation, along with stricter competence requirements and more employers seeking academic qualifications. Despite some variation between employers and regions, the overall trend indicates a stronger position for the profession in the job market, especially within the public sector where many are employed.

Bebyggelseantikvarie Salary – Full Overview

• Average salary: 38 900 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 26,600 SEK/month (female, public sector, pre-secondary education)
• Highest salary: 47,000 SEK/month (male, public sector, doctoral degree)
• Hourly wage (average): 234 SEK
• Men's average salary: 40 100 SEK/month
• Women's average salary: 38 300 SEK/month
• Gender pay gap: Women earn 96% of what men do

Education and Qualifications

The path to becoming a Bebyggelseantikvarie typically involves academic studies in cultural heritage, building conservation programs, or related fields. The education combines theoretical studies in history and architecture with practical components such as surveying and documentation. To be competitive on the job market, it is often advantageous to supplement with specialized courses, internships, or supervised projects within building preservation.

• Bachelor's degree: Building conservation or cultural heritage programs (3 years)
• Master's degree: Opportunities for specialization (2 years)
• Internships: Common part of education
• Prerequisites: Basic eligibility and interest in society
• Certifications/courses: Focus areas include cultural environment preservation, GIS, or restoration

Common Benefits and Compensation

Bebyggelseantikvarier are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowances, and flexible working hours. Opportunities for professional development, study trips, and participation in industry events are also common, especially within the public sector.

Competition and Challenges

The competition for positions as a Bebyggelseantikvarie is relatively high due to limited educational places and employers. Many seek broad skills in building history, documentation, and digital tools. The profession can be sensitive to economic fluctuations and public budget cuts, affecting new recruitment. Another challenge is balancing cultural-historical values with contemporary development and modernization demands. Project durations and funding can vary, requiring flexibility and good project management. Those entering the field should be prepared for some geographic mobility and continuous learning.

Tips for aspiring Bebyggelseantikvarie

To succeed as a Bebyggelseantikvarie, it’s beneficial to combine a genuine interest in history with analytical skills and precision. Proactive networking during studies, such as through internships or industry days, increases chances of securing an initial position. Being communicative and pedagogical is an advantage, as tasks often involve collaboration with various professionals and conveying cultural values. Flexibility and willingness to learn new digital tools are highly valued, especially as digital documentation methods become increasingly important. Developing project management skills makes it easier to handle complex investigations and longer processes. A resilient and solution-oriented attitude helps when dealing with bureaucracy and tight deadlines. Finally, engagement in sustainable development and preservation adds further credibility to the professional role.

Key Facts about Bebyggelseantikvarie

• Education level: Bachelor's degree or higher in cultural heritage/building conservation
• Work environment: Varies between office and fieldwork
• Common employment: Public sector or consultancy
• Demand: About 620 available jobs within the profession
• Special skills: Documentation, legislation, and digital tools (e.g., GIS)

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a Bebyggelseantikvarie can develop into specialist roles within building conservation, lead larger survey projects, or work as an advisor for authorities and companies. Opportunities also exist to advance to project manager, investigator, or case officer within cultural heritage issues. Some choose to specialize in digital documentation or work in education and knowledge dissemination. The future outlook is difficult to predict due to limited data, but the general assessment within the profession is that demand remains stable, especially with increased focus on sustainable urban development and heritage preservation. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, there are approximately 620 available jobs in fields including museum management, where Bebyggelseantikvarie roles are included.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bebyggelseantikvarie

• What does a Bebyggelseantikvarie earn?
  - The average salary is 38 900 SEK per month, with variation depending on education, experience, and employer.
• What are the gender differences in the profession?
  - Women earn on average 96% of what men do within the profession.
• What education is required to become a Bebyggelseantikvarie?
  - A bachelor's degree in cultural heritage, building conservation, or similar is standard.
• What is the job market like for Bebyggelseantikvarier?
  - There are approximately 620 available jobs, but competition is relatively high.
• Are there regional salary differences?
  - Salaries can vary depending on region and employer, with higher salaries usually in larger cities or public roles.
• What is the highest and lowest salary for a Bebyggelseantikvarie?
  - The highest salary is 47,000 SEK (male, public sector, doctoral degree) and the lowest is 26,600 SEK (female, public sector, pre-secondary education).
• What personal qualities are important in the profession?
  - Analytical skills, accuracy, flexibility, and an interest in history and cultural environments are key qualities.