Image that illustrates Chief photographer

Chief photographer

37 300 kr

Photographers

36 100 - 39 600 kr / month

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Chief photographer

Average salary 37 300 kr
Males 39 500 kr
Females 0 kr

What does a Chefsfotograf do? – Tasks and work environment

A Chefsfotograf leads and coordinates work in photography departments within sectors such as media, advertising, or culture. The role involves responsibility for creative expression, quality assurance of image material, and overall planning of photoshoots. The Chefsfotograf often acts as a supervisor for other photographers and image editors, ensuring deadlines are met and technical and artistic standards are maintained. Work environments can vary from studios to fieldwork, requiring flexibility, teamwork skills, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure.

Salary development over time

The salary for a Chefsfotograf has shown a steady but somewhat slow increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,400 SEK, increasing to 37 000 SEK in 2023 and further to 37 300 SEK in 2024. This development corresponds to a total increase of approximately 5% over three years, which is slightly below the average for creative professions. The salary increase can partly be explained by increased demand for qualified visual material in digital channels, but competition for positions and many self-employed in the industry temper salary growth. Differences in education level and work experience also affect salary levels, and regional variations occur.

Chefsfotograf salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 37 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 36,100 SEK/month (men), 37,100 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 39,600 SEK/month (men), 39,000 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 224 SEK
  • Gender differences: Men 39 500 SEK/month, women – data not available
  • Regional differences: Salary levels vary depending on location and sector

Education and qualifications

To work as a Chefsfotograf, a post-secondary education in photography, photojournalism, or visual communication is usually required. Practical experience is often crucial, and many have built their competence over several years as professional photographers before taking on managerial roles. Employers value leadership skills, technical proficiency, and a well-developed artistic eye.

  • Post-secondary education: Photography or visual communication (2–3 years)
  • Courses/certifications: Specializations in, e.g., image editing or lighting
  • Internship: Usually internships or trainee positions during education
  • Prerequisites: Basic photography experience, often with a personal portfolio
  • Leadership training: Meritorious for managerial roles

Many Chefsfotografer have backgrounds in art or photojournalism, which often contribute with creative ideas and an artistic perspective in leadership. The artistic freedom in the profession is significant, but must be balanced against client demands and deadlines.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Chefsfotografer are often offered perks such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and access to modern technical equipment. Other common compensations include occupational pension, insurances, and sometimes bonus agreements for larger projects or campaigns.

Competition and challenges

The competition for managerial positions in photography is fierce, especially in metropolitan areas where the job market is more concentrated. Many experienced photographers seek to move into leadership roles, which means employers may set high demands on both leadership and technical skills. Another challenge is staying updated with rapid technological developments, while continuously developing creative expression. The media landscape is also changing, with digitalization and new image formats creating both opportunities and increased demands for adaptability. Uncertainty about future needs makes it important to build a strong network and be open to change.

Tips for aspiring Chefsfotograf

To succeed as a Chefsfotograf, it’s good to combine a strong visual sense with good organizational and leadership skills. Building a varied and high-quality portfolio demonstrates creativity and technical skill, increasing chances of responsibility for larger projects. It’s also important to be communicative and able to collaborate with creative colleagues and clients, as the work often takes place in teams. A curious and development-oriented approach facilitates the adoption of new techniques and methods. Taking responsibility for your own skills development, e.g., through courses or workshops, shows engagement and ambition. Flexibility and resilience are crucial when working under tight deadlines. Finally, being attentive and adaptable to meet clients’ and employers’ changing demands is advantageous.

Key facts about Chefsfotograf

  • Education level: Post-secondary education (2–3 years)
  • Work environment: Studio, field, and office
  • Work form: Full-time, sometimes project-based
  • Demand: 620 job openings in the profession
  • Special skills: Leadership, image editing, creative thinking

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Chefsfotograf, there are opportunities to advance to more strategic roles, such as image manager or head of visual departments within larger companies and organizations. Some choose to start their own consultancy or work in education and mentoring. According to the Employment Service, no specific forecast exists for Chefsfotografer, but with 620 job openings in the photographer profession, there is a certain demand. Future outlooks are influenced by technological developments and changes in media habits, but creative and technically skilled individuals with leadership qualities have good chances to establish themselves in the industry.

Frequently asked questions about Chefsfotograf

  • What is the average salary of a Chefsfotograf?
    - A Chefsfotograf has an average salary of 37 300 SEK per month.
  • What is required to become a Chefsfotograf?
    - Post-secondary education in photography and several years of professional experience are required, often combined with leadership skills.
  • Are there significant salary differences between men and women?
    - Men earn an average of 39 500 SEK. Salary data for women is limited, but the highest salary for women is 39,000 SEK.
  • What is the job market like for Chefsfotografer?
    - There are 620 job openings in the profession, but competition for managerial roles is high.
  • In what work environments does a Chefsfotograf operate?
    - Both in studios, on location during photoshoots, and in offices, often with varied tasks.
  • What education is recommended?
    - Post-secondary education in photography, photojournalism, or visual communication, preferably with leadership courses.
  • How has the salary development been for Chefsfotograf?
    - The average salary has increased from 36,400 SEK in 2022 to 37 300 SEK in 2024, a rise of about 5%.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Chief photographer is 39600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 39000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Chief photographer is 36100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 37100 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 33800 kr 34200 kr
35-44 41200 kr 41700 kr
45-54 42400 kr 43800 kr
55-64 45500 kr 47900 kr
Snitt 36500 kr 37300 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 Chief photographer has the SSYK code 3431, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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