Publishing assistant

What does a publishing assistant do? – tasks and work environment

A publishing assistant works with administrative and coordinating tasks at a publishing house, newspaper company, or other media organization. The responsibilities vary but often include assisting editors, handling correspondence, booking meetings, organizing manuscript workflows, and maintaining contact with authors and illustrators. The role also involves managing simpler financial tasks, archiving documents, and supporting marketing and production. Publishing assistants typically work in an office environment with a computer as the primary tool, where the pace can fluctuate between calm periods and intense deadlines before book launches or fairs.

Salary development over time

The salary for publishing assistants has shown stable and positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,000 SEK per month, which increased to 34 300 SEK in 2023, and then reached 35 600 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total increase of approximately 7.9% over the three-year period. The salary increase can be linked to a rising demand for administrative skills within the publishing industry, while digitalization and efficiency improvements demand higher flexibility and technical knowledge. Despite this increase, salary levels still depend on factors such as experience, education level, and sector. The trend shows that the profession continues to be valued as job tasks expand and become more complex.

Publishing assistant salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 35 600 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 27,100 SEK/month
• Highest salary: 54,200 SEK/month
• Hourly wage: 214 SEK/hour
• Gender differences: Women earn 99% of what men do (women: 35 500 SEK, men: 35 900 SEK)
• Regional differences: No data available on regional differences for this profession

Education and qualifications

To work as a publishing assistant, a high school diploma with a focus on economics, administration, or media is usually required. Many employers also prefer post-secondary education, such as in publishing studies, literature, or communication. Practical experience from administrative roles, good computer skills, and strong communication abilities are often advantageous. It is also common to supplement with short courses or certificates in project management and digital tools.

• High school diploma: Economics, administration, or media (3 years)
• Post-secondary education: Publishing studies, literature, or communication (1–3 years)
• Certifications/courses: Project management, digital work tools
• Internship/trainee: Meritorious for application
• Prerequisites: Good administrative skills and computer literacy

Common benefits and compensations

Publishing assistants often have access to benefits such as flexible working hours, wellness allowances, remote work options, and professional development opportunities. Company pension schemes, subsidized lunches, or staff discounts on books are also common. Many employers also offer participation in book fairs and industry events as part of employment.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a publishing assistant is relatively high, especially in metropolitan areas where many seek to work in media and publishing. Lack of clear career paths and a limited number of permanent positions can make it difficult to establish oneself long-term. At the same time, digitalization increases demands for technical skills and adaptability as job tasks evolve with new tools. Another challenge is that workload can be uneven at times, especially before deadlines and book releases. Success often requires initiative, good organizational skills, and an interest in the industry.

Tips for aspiring publishing assistants

To succeed as a publishing assistant, it’s good to combine attention to detail with a strong sense of service and teamwork. Being communicative facilitates contact with colleagues and external partners, while flexibility helps handle changing tasks and rapid shifts in production. Practical experience in administration, preferably from publishing or media, is a clear advantage and can be gained through internships or part-time jobs. An active interest in literature and digital tools increases both job satisfaction and employability. Showing initiative and being solution-oriented are highly valued by employers. Finally, it’s important to enjoy working in a structured manner and to be able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Key facts about publishing assistants

• Education level: High school or post-secondary education recommended
• Work environment: Office-based, often in teams
• Work arrangement: Usually full-time, but part-time and hourly positions also occur
• Demand: Moderate, but decreasing over five years
• Special skills: Computer literacy, communication, project support

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a publishing assistant, it is common to move into roles such as editor, project manager, or marketing coordinator within publishing and media companies. Experience in the role provides a broad understanding of book production and publishing operations, which is valuable for future career steps. According to the Employment Service’s forecast for office assistants and secretaries, job opportunities are considered moderate nationally, with a balanced recruitment situation. Over five years, however, demand is expected to decline in line with increased digitalization and efficiency in administration. Currently, there are 758 job openings in the profession, indicating that the job market still offers opportunities for those with the right skills and commitment.

Frequently asked questions about publishing assistants

• What does a publishing assistant earn?
  - The average salary for a publishing assistant is 35 600 SEK per month.
• What are the gender differences in publishing assistant salaries?
  - Women earn 35 500 SEK and men 35 900 SEK, meaning women earn 99% of what men do.
• What education is required to become a publishing assistant?
  - High school diploma with a focus on administration or media, along with preferably post-secondary education or courses in publishing studies or communication.
• What are the future prospects for publishing assistants?
  - Job opportunities are moderate today but are expected to decrease slightly over five years according to the Employment Service.
• What are the most common tasks for a publishing assistant?
  - Administrative support, manuscript and document handling, scheduling meetings, and contact with authors and partners.
• Are there opportunities for career development as a publishing assistant?
  - Yes, many advance to roles such as editor, project manager, or marketing coordinator after a few years of experience.
• How big is the salary range between the lowest and highest?
  - The lowest salary is 27,100 SEK and the highest 54,200 SEK per month, depending on education, sector, and experience.