- Salary statistics
- Dollmaker
Dollmaker
30 400 - 30 900 kr / month
Hantverksyrken
Salary progression Dollmaker
What does a puppeteer do? – Tasks and work environment
A puppeteer works with manufacturing, repairing, and restoring puppets, marionettes, and similar figures for theater, collections, museums, or private use. The profession requires a combination of artistic skill, technical knowledge, and precision. Tasks may include sculpting, painting, sewing, and assembling mechanical parts that enable movement. Puppeteers often work in smaller studios or workshops, sometimes alone but also in close collaboration with set designers, directors, or collectors. The work environment is often creative but can be ergonomically demanding due to detailed work over extended periods.
Salary development over time
The salary development for puppeteers has shown clear variations over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 34,382 SEK per month, which slightly decreased to 34 662 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has decreased to 30 900 SEK per month, corresponding to a decline of about 11% compared to the previous year. This change can partly be explained by decreased demand in certain parts of the cultural sector, while competition has increased and the availability of assignments has become more uncertain. The educational level within the profession remains high, but salary levels are affected by project-based employment and seasonal variations.
Puppeteer salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 30 900 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data unavailable
- Hourly wage: 186 SEK/hour (based on 166 hours/month)
- Gender differences: Not available
- Regional differences: Not available
Education and qualifications
To work as a puppeteer, a formal artistic education is usually required, often focusing on craft, theater technology, or visual arts. Education can be obtained at vocational colleges or folk high schools, but also through apprenticeships and internships with established puppeteers. Creativity, technical interest, and the ability to work with various materials are important qualities for success in the profession.
- Formal education: Craft education (2–3 years) or theater technology training
- Practical experience: Apprenticeship or internship with an established puppeteer
- Courses: Specialized courses in sculpture, sewing, or mechanics
- Prerequisites: Basic artistic skills
- Self-study: Common to deepen knowledge of specific techniques
Many puppeteers are often hired by theater houses, museums, or film productions to create custom figures, making the profession exciting with varied projects and workdays.
Common benefits and compensations
Puppeteers are often offered flexibility in working hours, opportunities for their own studio, and sometimes access to special tools or materials through their employer. Other benefits may include wellness allowances, skills development, and opportunities to participate in exhibitions or collaborations with cultural institutions.
Competition and challenges
The competition within the puppetry profession is relatively high because the number of permanent positions is limited, and many work project-based or as self-employed. Establishing oneself can take time and requires a strong network and ability to market services to cultural institutions and private clients. Challenges also include staying updated on new techniques and managing periods of uneven workload. Despite this, demand for specialized puppeteers remains stable, especially for unique projects within performing arts and museums.
Tips for aspiring puppeteers
To succeed as a puppeteer, it is good to combine a strong artistic sense with practical problem-solving skills and patience. Actively seeking internships and networking with professionals in both performing arts and craft increases opportunities for assignments. Precision and perseverance are crucial when performing detailed tasks, and a willingness to continuously develop techniques helps maintain competitiveness. Participating in courses and workshops on new materials or methods provides advantages, as does showcasing work in exhibitions or digital platforms. Creativity and openness to collaborations make the workdays varied and rewarding.
Key facts about Puppeteers
- Education level: Craft education or equivalent
- Work environment: Studio/workshop, project-based
- Demand: Approximately 341 available jobs within the profession
- Work form: Self-employed or employed at theater/museum
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, puppeteers can advance to more specialized roles, such as studio manager or project leader for larger productions in theater or film. Some choose to start their own business and take on assignments from cultural institutions, while others work in craft education. The forecast from the Employment Service indicates that demand for puppeteers and craft artists remains relatively stable, with 341 available jobs in the profession as of the latest measurement. Digitalization and new materials also open up more opportunities in design and restoration, which can further strengthen future prospects.
Common questions about Puppeteers
- What does a Puppeteer earn?
- A puppeteer has an average monthly salary of 30 900 SEK. - What education is required to become a puppeteer?
- Typically, artistic training, theater technology education, or equivalent experience is required. - Are there many job opportunities for puppeteers?
- There are approximately 341 available jobs within the profession according to current statistics. - What is the work environment like for puppeteers?
- The work environment often consists of a personal studio or workshop, with varied projects and assignments. - What personal qualities are important?
- Creativity, precision, patience, and technical skill are essential qualities. - Are there regional salary differences?
- There is no available data on regional differences for puppeteers. - Do puppeteers mainly work as employees or self-employed?
- Many puppeteers are self-employed, but there are also employment opportunities within theater, museums, and film production.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30400 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30400 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30400 kr | 30900 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 Dollmaker has the SSYK code 7319, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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