- Salary statistics
- Decor painter, TV salary
Decor painter, TV salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
36 400 - 47 200 SEK / month
Women earn 91% of what men do.
Kultur, media, design
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Salary progression Decor painter, TV
What does a set decorator do in TV? – Tasks and work environment
A TV set decorator is responsible for creating, painting, and refining decor and set environments used in various TV productions. The role involves interpreting the set designer’s visions and translating them into real environments, often under tight deadlines and with high attention to detail. Work takes place both in studios and on filming locations, resulting in a varied work environment with physical and creative elements. Collaboration with other professionals such as set designers, prop masters, and technicians is crucial to creating a visual whole that works for the camera and the specific needs of the TV program.
Salary development over time
The salary for a TV set decorator has shown a steady and slightly increasing trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 38,300 SEK per month, which increased to 39100 SEK in 2023, and further to 39 900 SEK in 2024. This represents an increase of approximately 7.3% over three years. This development can partly be explained by increased demand for specialized skills in TV production, alongside a general wage increase in creative professions. Gender pay gaps remain, but overall, the profession has experienced positive salary growth, making it attractive for those who want to combine creativity with stable income.
TV set decorator salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 39 900 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 36,200 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 45,600 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 247 SEK
- Women’s average salary: 39 500 SEK/month (91 % of men’s salary)
- Men’s average salary: 44,400 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Data on differences are lacking, but salary levels may vary between larger production centers.
Education and qualifications
To work as a TV set decorator, a combination of formal education in decor or scenic painting and practical experience from TV or theater production is usually required. Many have secondary or post-secondary education in art, design, or scenography, supplemented with specialized courses and internships. The industry values technical skills, material knowledge, and the ability to work in a team.
- Secondary education: Artistic programs with focus on image and form, 3 years
- Post-secondary education: Art or design colleges, 2–3 years
- Specialized courses: Scenic painting, scenography, or equivalent, 1–2 semesters
- Internships/traineeships: Often required in TV, film, or theater
- Prerequisites: Good knowledge of colors and materials, artistic sense
- Additional: Self-study and portfolio work are common
Many TV set decorators work on a project basis and have the opportunity to create visual expressions for everything from large galas to smaller dramas. This means each workday can be different, and the profession suits those who enjoy variation and new challenges.
Common benefits and compensations
For TV set decorators, it is common to be offered benefits such as overtime pay for evening and weekend work, wellness allowances, and sometimes opportunities for skill development through courses and workshops. Permanent employment may include extra vacation days and collectively agreed insurances, while project-based work often offers flexibility and the possibility of longer breaks between productions.
Competition and challenges
The job market for TV set decorators is competitive, with a limited number of permanent positions and many working as freelancers or on short-term projects. Challenges often include staying updated on new techniques and materials, and building a strong professional network. Since the profession depends on the scope and budget of productions, workload can vary significantly throughout the year. Success requires artistic talent and the ability to work efficiently under pressure.
Tips for aspiring TV set decorators
To succeed as a TV set decorator, it’s good to have a strong interest in color, form, and materials, along with a creative flair that helps solve unexpected problems. Being flexible and resilient under stress is crucial, as productions often require quick adjustments and collaboration with many different professionals. Attention to detail and precision help create believable and visually appealing environments. Practical experience, such as internships or part-time work in TV or theater, provides valuable contacts and skills. Building a strong portfolio and staying updated on new techniques increases chances of getting assignments. Lastly, good communication and responsiveness are key to quickly understanding instructions and working effectively with the team.
Key facts about TV set decorators
- Education level: Secondary or post-secondary with artistic focus
- Work environment: Studio, filming locations, workshops
- Work mode: Project-based and freelance, sometimes permanent positions
- Demand: 620 job openings within the profession (May 2024)
- Gender distribution: Women earn 91 % of men’s salaries
Career paths and future prospects
After a few years of experience, a TV set decorator can advance to more specialized roles such as chief decorator, set designer, or project manager for larger productions. Other paths include work in film, advertising, or theater where similar skills are in demand. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, no specific forecast exists for the profession due to limited data, but the profession was associated with 620 job openings in spring 2024. The profession is expected to remain attractive for those combining artistic skills with technical competence and flexibility.
Frequently asked questions about TV set decorators
- What does a TV set decorator earn?
- The average salary is 39 900 SEK per month, but it varies depending on experience, employment type, and the production’s size. - What education is required to become a TV set decorator?
- Most commonly, secondary or post-secondary education in art, design, or scenography supplemented with practical experience. - What does a TV set decorator do?
- The role involves painting, creating, and customizing decor and set environments for TV productions, working closely with set designers and technicians. - Is there high demand for TV set decorators?
- There were 620 job openings in spring 2024, but competition for permanent roles is high. - What is the work environment like for TV set decorators?
- Work takes place in studios, on filming locations, and in workshops, often under time pressure and with varying hours. - Are there gender pay gaps among TV set decorators?
- Yes, women earn on average 91 % of men’s salaries within the profession. - What are the career prospects after a few years as a TV set decorator?
- Possible paths include chief decorator, set designer, or project manager within TV, film, or theater.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 34000 kr | 34900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 37000 kr | 37800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 41500 kr | 42500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 43900 kr | 44200 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 39200 kr | 39900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 43700 kr | 43700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44700 kr | 44700 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 45000 kr | 45000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 43700 kr | 43700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44700 kr | 44700 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 45000 kr | 45000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 34000 kr | 34900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 36900 kr | 37700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 41500 kr | 42500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 43900 kr | 44200 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 39200 kr | 39900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 34000 kr | 34900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 36900 kr | 37700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 41500 kr | 42500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 43900 kr | 44200 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 39200 kr | 39900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 91% | 42600 kr | 43200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 93% | 47200 kr | 47200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 93% | 47200 kr | 47200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 91% | 42500 kr | 43200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 91% | 42500 kr | 43200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 33500 kr | 34600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35800 kr | 36700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 40000 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44100 kr | 44400 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 38700 kr | 39500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 43700 kr | 43700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44000 kr | 44100 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 43900 kr | 43900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 43700 kr | 43700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44000 kr | 44100 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 43900 kr | 43900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 33500 kr | 34600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35800 kr | 36600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 40000 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44100 kr | 44400 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 38700 kr | 39500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 33500 kr | 34600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35800 kr | 36600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 40000 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44100 kr | 44400 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 38700 kr | 39500 kr |
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 Decor painter, TV has the SSYK code 3432, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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