How much does a Filmmaker make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Filmmaker
Image that illustrates Filmmaker

Filmmaker

45 700 kr

Directors and producers of film, theater etc.

39 600 - 54 000 kr / month

Women earn 107% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Filmmaker

Average salary 45 700 kr
Males 44 100 kr
Females 47 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 5 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Filmmaker do? – tasks and work environment

A Filmmaker works on developing, planning, executing, and completing film productions. Tasks include everything from scriptwriting, directing, and production to budgeting, filming, and post-production. The role may involve coordinating teams, liaising with actors and technical staff, and ensuring the project adheres to artistic and financial constraints. The work is often project-based with varying environments—from offices and studios to outdoor locations under sometimes tight deadlines. Collaboration with other creative professionals is central, and workload can fluctuate depending on the size and phase of the project.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, Filmmakers have experienced a relatively stable but slightly declining salary trend. In 2022, the average salary was 43,400 SEK per month, increasing to 47 000 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has been adjusted downward slightly to 45 700 SEK, representing a decrease of approximately 2.8% compared to the previous year. This change can partly be explained by increased market competition and a surplus of qualified candidates in the field. Meanwhile, demand for Filmmakers, according to the Employment Service, has remained unchanged, contributing to salary stabilization rather than growth. Salary fluctuations may also be influenced by project-based employment and variations in production volume.

Filmmaker salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 45 700 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 39,600 SEK/month (female, public sector, post-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 54,000 SEK/month (male, private sector, post-secondary education)
  • Hourly wage: 275 SEK
  • Women: 47 400 SEK/month
  • Men: 44 100 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 107% of what men do

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a Filmmaker often involves post-secondary education focused on film, media, or directing. Many combine formal education with practical experience in the industry, such as internships or projects. Self-study, networking, and participation in short film productions are common steps toward the profession, and additional skills can be gained through courses and workshops.

  • Post-secondary education: YH or university programs in film, media, or directing (2–4 years)
  • Internships: Common during studies and valuable for networking and experience
  • Self-study: Online courses and self-produced short films deepen understanding
  • Prerequisites: High school diploma, often with an artistic or media focus
  • Certifications: Rarely mandatory, but advantageous for certain positions

Many Filmmakers build their careers by engaging early in smaller productions and networking actively within the industry. Creativity and technical skills are important, but the ability to collaborate and lead projects is often crucial for long-term success.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Filmmakers often have collective agreement-based benefits such as occupational pension, insurance, and holiday pay. In project-based employment, additional compensations like variable pay, overtime premiums, and opportunities for further training may also be available. Flexible working hours and remote work options are sometimes possible, depending on the production and employer.

Competition and challenges

Competition in the film industry is intense, especially in larger cities and for high-profile projects. The Employment Service's forecasts indicate an oversupply of qualified candidates, meaning more applicants than available positions. Project-based employment and uncertain working conditions can lead to periods of unemployment or side activities. Success requires a strong network and a willingness to continually develop skills, as technological and creative demands evolve rapidly in the industry.

Tips for aspiring Filmmakers

To succeed as a Filmmaker, it’s beneficial to combine creativity with structured problem-solving and a strong drive. Building a professional network early increases job prospects, and curiosity about new technology and storytelling methods is a big advantage. Initiative can be demonstrated through personal film projects or involvement in smaller productions, where teamwork and leadership skills are also developed. Being resilient under stressful shooting schedules and flexible when conditions change quickly is important. Good communication skills facilitate teamwork and help in presenting ideas to producers or financiers. Finally, patience and perseverance are essential, as establishing oneself in the field often takes time and requires courage and determination.

Key facts about Filmmakers

  • Education level: Post-secondary education of 2–4 years is most common
  • Work form: Project-based employment or freelance
  • Work environment: Varies from studio to outdoor locations
  • Demand: Limited opportunities, oversupply of candidates
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn on average 107% of men's salaries

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years in the profession, a Filmmaker can advance to more responsible roles such as lead director, producer, screenwriter, or project manager for larger productions. Specialization in documentary, advertising, or digital media is also possible. The forecasts from the Employment Service indicate limited job opportunities, with a recruitment situation characterized by an oversupply of qualified candidates. Over a five-year horizon, demand is expected to remain unchanged, maintaining a competitive environment. To improve future prospects, building a strong network and staying updated on technological and creative industry trends are recommended.

Frequently asked questions about Filmmakers

  • What does a Filmmaker earn?
    - The average salary is 45 700 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience, gender, and sector.
  • Are there gender differences in Filmmakers' salaries?
    - Yes, women earn on average 47 400 SEK while men earn 44 100 SEK per month.
  • What is the job market like for Filmmakers?
    - The competition is fierce and job opportunities are considered limited according to the Employment Service.
  • What education is required to become a Filmmaker?
    - Post-secondary education in film, media, or directing is most common, often 2–4 years long.
  • What work environments do Filmmakers work in?
    - The work environment varies between offices, studios, and various filming locations, both indoors and outdoors.
  • How much does the highest-paid Filmmaker earn?
    - The highest salary is 54,000 SEK for a man in the private sector with post-secondary education.
  • How much does the lowest-paid Filmmaker earn?
    - The lowest salary is 39,600 SEK for a woman in the public sector with post-secondary education.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 17:37:59

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Filmmaker is 54000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 53600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Filmmaker is 39600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 39800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 38500 kr 38600 kr
35-44 45100 kr 45300 kr
45-54 50200 kr 50500 kr
55-64 53400 kr 54100 kr
Snitt 107% 45500 kr 45700 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Filmmaker has the SSYK code 2654, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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