Image archivist

What does an Image Archivist do? – Tasks and Work Environment

An image archivist works with collecting, organizing, preserving, and providing access to photographic and visual material within various organizations. Common tasks include digitizing older image collections, cataloging and metadata registration, as well as managing rights and licensing issues. The image archivist also plays an advisory role towards researchers, journalists, or the public seeking image material. The work environment is often office-based but can also include work in archive storage, museums, or library settings, where accuracy and structured documentation are central.

Salary Development Over Time

Over the past three years, the salary for image archivists has shown a clear and steady increase. In 2022, the average salary was 35,200 SEK, rising to 36 100 SEK in 2023 and further to 37 600 SEK in 2024. This development corresponds to a total increase of approximately 6.8% over the period, indicating a somewhat higher salary growth rate than many other cultural professions. Behind this increase are factors such as increased demand for digital skills, and a growing need to provide access to historical and contemporary image archives digitally. The labor market has also been affected by retirements and the need to replace experienced staff, leading to higher entry-level salaries and improved conditions for qualified image archivists.

Image Archivist Salary – Complete Overview

• Average Salary: 37 600 SEK/month
• Lowest Salary: 31,100 SEK/month
• Highest Salary: 42,500 SEK/month
• Hourly Wage: 226 SEK
• Women: 37 400 SEK/month
• Men: 38 200 SEK/month
• Women earn: 98% of what men do
• Regional differences: Data on regional differences is limited, but somewhat higher salaries may occur in metropolitan areas and within the public sector.

Education and Qualifications

An image archivist typically holds an academic degree in archival science, information science, or similar cultural studies, often supplemented with specific focus on image and media management. Practical experience in archive work, digitization, and metadata handling is important. Some positions also require courses in law and copyright related to image material.

• Bachelor’s Degree: Information science, archival science, or equivalent (3 years)
• Additional Courses: Digitization, metadata, image processing, copyright
• Internship: Often a requirement for internships or trainee positions within archives or libraries
• Prerequisites: Basic IT skills and interest in cultural heritage
• Tips: Choose programs with a strong focus on digital methods and image management

Common Benefits and Compensation

For image archivists, benefits such as wellness allowances, flexitime, professional development, and opportunities for remote work are common. Pension schemes and subsidized lunches or staff discounts may also be available, especially within the public sector.

Competition and Challenges

The competition for jobs as an image archivist is significant, particularly since the profession attracts many with cultural interests and academic backgrounds. Recruitment difficulties are reported, as employers often seek candidates with both subject expertise and technical skills in digitization and image management. Challenges in the profession also involve keeping up-to-date with new technologies, digital standards, and changing copyright laws. It is common for job duties to expand, with image archivists expected to contribute to development projects and digital initiatives within their organizations.

Tips for Aspiring Image Archivists

To succeed as an image archivist, it’s good to combine an analytical mindset with a strong interest in cultural heritage and visual media. Developing digital skills early, such as in image processing and metadata management, is highly recommended, as these are central to daily tasks. Precision and a structured approach are crucial for managing large amounts of information and ensuring quality in the archive. Being communicative facilitates collaboration with colleagues and external users, and curiosity is an important driver for adopting new technologies and methods. Engagement in professional associations and networks also provides opportunities to exchange experiences and stay updated on developments in the field.

Key Facts about Image Archivist

• Educational Level: Usually a bachelor’s degree with additional courses
• Work Environment: Office environment, often within the public sector or museums
• Demand: Great opportunities for employment nationwide
• Work Format: Full-time, some possibility for remote work
• Special Skills: Digitization and metadata management

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years in the profession, an image archivist can advance to more specialized roles such as collection manager, project leader for digitization projects, or head of archive or image operations. There are also opportunities to work as a consultant in digital preservation or to oversee larger digital platforms. According to the Employment Service’s forecast, job prospects are strong at the national level, although the recruitment situation is paradoxical: there are both recruitment difficulties and relatively high unemployment within the profession. Over five years, demand is expected to remain unchanged, with a continued need for broad digital management skills for image material. Currently, approximately 620 job openings exist within the library and archive professions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Image Archivist

• What is the average salary of a Image Archivist?
  - An image archivist has an average salary of 37 600 SEK per month.
• What is the difference between men and women?
  - Men earn on average 38 200 SEK while women earn 37 400 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salary.
• What education is required to work as an image archivist?
  - Usually a bachelor's degree in information science or archival science, often with additional courses in image handling and digitization.
• What are the most common workplaces?
  - Often within the public sector, museums, libraries, or media companies.
• What are the future prospects for image archivists?
  - Employment opportunities are considered strong nationwide, with demand remaining stable over the next five years according to the Employment Service.
• What is the highest and lowest salary for an image archivist?
  - The highest salary is 42,500 SEK and the lowest is 31,100 SEK per month, depending on education, gender, and sector.