- Salary statistics
- Visual artist
Visual artist
41 395 - 39 779 kr / month
Kultur, media, design
Salary progression Visual artist
What does a Visual Artist do? – Tasks and work environment
A visual artist works with creating artworks through various visual expressions such as painting, drawing, graphics, sculpture, or installation. Tasks range from developing personal projects and techniques to exhibiting works at galleries or museums, participating in art projects, or taking freelance assignments. Many visual artists combine creation with teaching, lectures, or work within the cultural sector. The work environment is often individual and can be a private studio, shared workspace, or sometimes at home. Flexibility and independence characterize the profession, but collaboration on larger artistic projects and public art installations also occur.
Salary development over time
The salary for visual artists has shown a steady increase in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,200 SEK per month, which increased to 38 400 SEK in 2023 and reached 39 779 SEK in 2024. This represents an overall salary increase of about 10% over three years, reflecting increased demand for artistic services and some improvement in conditions within the cultural sector. Despite this, salary levels vary greatly depending on the artist's establishment, project scope, and the ability to secure public or private commissions. Salary development is also driven by factors such as increased visibility through digital platforms and a growing interest in contemporary art.
Visual Artist salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 39 779 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data on the lowest and highest salaries are unavailable for this profession
- Hourly wage: 239 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: Salary data for men and women specifically are missing
- Regional differences: Regional salary differences are not available in the accessible statistics
Education and qualifications
Visual artists often have formal education from art colleges or equivalent, but there are also self-taught individuals or those who have furthered their studies through standalone courses and workshops. The length and focus of education vary, but the emphasis is on developing artistic skills, techniques, and personal expression. Practical experience, a portfolio, and networking are highly important factors for establishing oneself in the profession.
- Formal degree: Bachelor's or master's degree in fine arts (3–5 years)
- Courses and certificates: Standalone courses in art, visual arts, and design
- Internships: Internships or project work are common during studies
- Prerequisites: Often portfolio submissions and interviews for admission to higher education
- Self-study: Many combine education with self-study and personal creation
Many visual artists work in project-based formats and combine their creation with other tasks, such as teaching or curating. This provides variation in daily work and opportunities to build broader networks within the art world.
Common benefits and compensations
For visual artists, it is common to receive project-based payments, exhibition fees, and sometimes grants or support from funds and cultural institutions. In some cases, insurances, travel allowances, or studio support are also available. Permanent employment with benefits is rare but occurs mainly within public art projects or larger organizations.
Competition and challenges
The competition within the artistic profession is high, and the number of established visual artists often exceeds the available commissions and exhibition opportunities. Many artists need to be entrepreneurial, develop their own projects, and actively market themselves to stand out. Uncertain employment conditions and unpredictable income are common challenges, as is difficulty in securing funding for larger works. Digitalization has opened new possibilities for reaching audiences and selling art internationally but also requires new skills and adaptability.
Tips for aspiring visual artists
To succeed as a visual artist, it is important to have a strong creative drive and self-discipline, especially since much of the work is done independently. Curiosity and a constant desire to develop are vital for finding a unique artistic expression and remaining relevant in the industry. Persistence and patience are necessary, as the path to establishment can be long and uncertain. It is also valuable to be socially skilled and to network, as many opportunities arise through contacts. Finally, being open to different working formats, such as projects, collaborations, or teaching, can help create a stable and stimulating career.
Key facts about Visual Artist
- Education level: Artistic higher education (3–5 years) is common
- Work form: Self-employment or project-based work dominates
- Job openings: About 620 within the profession in Sweden
- Work environment: Mainly studio, atelier, or at home
- Demand: Limited, but varies regionally and over time
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a visual artist can develop a stronger portfolio and gain increased opportunities for exhibitions, public commissions, or collaborations with galleries. It is also common to combine artistic work with roles such as art educator, curator, project manager, or within cultural administration. According to the Employment Service's prognosis, no specific assessment is made for visual artists due to limited data, but there are approximately 620 job openings within the profession. Future prospects are influenced by societal development, public cultural investments, and the artist’s ability to network and gain visibility. This is a profession for those willing to take initiative and be flexible to changes in the industry.
Frequently asked questions about Visual Artist
- What does a Visual Artist earn?
- A visual artist has an average salary of 39 779 SEK per month in Sweden. - How has the salary development been for a Visual Artist?
- The salary has increased from 36,200 SEK in 2022 to 39 779 SEK in 2024, which corresponds to an increase of about 10%. - What education is required to become a Visual Artist?
- Typically, artistic higher education of 3–5 years is required, but self-study and courses are also common paths. - What work environments do Visual Artists work in?
- Most work in their own studio, shared workspace, or at home, but also in projects at public spaces. - Are there many jobs for Visual Artists?
- There are approximately 620 job openings within the profession, but competition is high. - What does the future look like for Visual Artists?
- The outlook is uncertain and depends on societal development and individual initiatives, according to the Employment Service.
Salary distributed by age and sector
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 Visual artist has the SSYK code 2651, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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