- Salary statistics
- Gilder, wood
Gilder, wood
31 823 - 31 823 kr / month
Hantverksyrken
Salary progression Gilder, wood
What does a wood gilder do? – Tasks and work environment
A wood gilder works with applying gold or other metals to wooden surfaces, often to create exclusive and decorative details on furniture, art objects, and interiors. Tasks include everything from base preparation and sanding to applying gold leaf and sealing the surface to ensure durability and luster. Typically, the work is carried out in a workshop, but assignments can also take place on-site at clients’ locations, such as during restoration of churches, castles, or other cultural heritage sites. The profession requires great precision, aesthetic sense, and patience, as each step must be performed accurately to achieve a durable and beautiful result.
Salary development over time
Wood gilders have experienced steady salary growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,435 SEK per month, which increased slightly to 31 691 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the trend continued with an average salary of 31 823 SEK. The total increase between 2022 and 2024 is approximately 1.2%, reflecting a low but steady salary change. The development can partly be explained by consistent demand for skilled gilders and stable employment conditions within the industry. Since the profession is niche and requires specialized knowledge, salary increases are often linked to experience and project complexity rather than market fluctuations.
Wood Gilder, wood salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 31 823 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data unavailable
- Hourly wage: 191 SEK
- Gender differences: Not specified
- Regional differences: Not available
Education and qualifications
The path to becoming a wood gilder often involves craft education focusing on surface treatment and decoration, sometimes supplemented with specialized courses in gilding. Practical experience is crucial, and many learn the trade through apprenticeships or internships with established gilders. Combining formal education with self-study and workshops helps develop technical skills and artistic sensibility.
- Vocational training: Craft programs or equivalent (3 years)
- Special courses: Gilding and surface treatment, often 1–2 semesters
- Internship: Apprenticeship or practical period with a gilder
- Prerequisites: Interest in art, design, and meticulous craftsmanship
- Self-study: Workshops and online courses can complement training
Many wood gilders have the opportunity to work on cultural heritage projects, where their craftsmanship contributes to preserving unique environments and buildings. Assignments can range from small decorative details to extensive restorations of churches and castles, making the profession both varied and socially significant.
Common benefits and compensations
Wood gilders often have access to collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowances, and insurance. Larger companies may also offer opportunities for skills development and training support, while self-employed practitioners can influence working hours and project choices more freely. Holiday pay and overtime premiums are common for project-based work.
Competition and challenges
The profession of wood gilding is a narrow and specialized craft niche where competition for permanent positions can be high, especially in larger cities. Challenges often involve finding enough assignments to fill a full-time position, particularly for self-employed workers. The need for continuous updating of techniques and material knowledge is significant, as restoration projects may require adaptation to new methods and environmental standards. Digitalization and new surface treatment products also influence the profession's development. At the same time, demand for skilled gilders remains relatively stable, especially in cultural conservation.
Tips for aspiring wood gilders
To succeed as a wood gilder, it’s beneficial to have a keen eye for detail and patience, as the work often demands precision at every stage. Creativity and flexibility facilitate problem-solving when unexpected challenges arise. Being communicative and cooperative is also advantageous, especially when working in teams on larger restoration projects. Continual education and staying updated on new techniques provide competitive advantages. Self-motivation and responsibility for personal development are important qualities, especially for those working independently. Building a network within the industry can open doors to more and more challenging assignments.
Key facts about Wood Gilder, wood
- Education level: Vocational training in craftsmanship (3 years), supplemented with specialized courses
- Work environment: Workshop, client sites, and cultural heritage buildings
- Common employment: Project employment or self-employed
- Demand: 341 available jobs within the profession according to current data
- Special skills: Gilding techniques and material knowledge
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a wood gilder can advance to more specialized roles, such as project manager for restoration projects or trainer in craft subjects. The demand for skilled gilders remains stable, especially within cultural heritage preservation and restoration of historic buildings. According to the Employment Service, the availability of vacancies is moderate, but niche expertise and experience with larger projects increase employment opportunities. Self-employment is common and can offer greater freedom but also higher demands on marketing and networking. Related professions include conservator, furniture maker, or decorative painter.
Frequently asked questions about Wood Gilder, wood
- What does a wood gilder earn?
- The average salary for a wood gilder is 31 823 SEK per month. - How to become a wood gilder?
- Vocational training in craftsmanship, supplemented with specialized courses in gilding and practical experience, is the most common pathway. - What work environments are common for wood gilders?
- Workshops, client sites, and cultural heritage buildings are the most common workplaces. - Are there many job opportunities in the profession?
- There are approximately 341 available jobs within the profession according to current figures. - Is certification required to work as a wood gilder?
- Formal certification is rarely required, but specialized courses and documented experience are advantageous. - What qualities are important in the profession?
- Attention to detail, patience, creativity, and teamwork skills are especially important.
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 Gilder, wood has the SSYK code 7521, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
-
Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest
Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35 -
The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden
Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00