Antiquities inventory

What does a Fornminnesinventerare do? – Tasks and work environment

A Fornminnesinventerare works with identifying, documenting, and mapping ancient monuments and other cultural heritage sites in the landscape. Tasks include fieldwork involving inventory of land, buildings, and environments, often in collaboration with archaeologists and other specialists. Documentation is carried out using GPS, maps, and digital tools, with results often reported to authorities, museums, or research projects. The work environment is varied—much time is spent outdoors in changing weather conditions, but office work with report writing and data analysis also occurs regularly.

Salary development over time

The profession of Fornminnesinventerare has shown steady salary growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 28,400 SEK per month, which increased to 28 900 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has reached 30 000 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 5.6% since 2022. This positive trend can be linked to increased awareness of the importance of cultural heritage preservation and demand for documentation during development projects. However, salary growth has been slow, reflecting the limited size of the job market and the fact that the profession is often linked to public sector employers with fixed salary structures.

Fornminnesinventerare salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 30 000 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 26,800 SEK/month (female, public sector, pre-secondary education)
• Highest salary: 32,400 SEK/month (female, public sector, post-secondary education shorter than 3 years)
• Hourly wage: 180 SEK/hour
• Gender differences: Women and men earn equal wages in this profession
• Regional differences: Limited, as salary is mainly determined by sector and education level

Education and qualifications

To work as a Fornminnesinventerare, a relevant post-secondary education in archaeology, cultural heritage management, or related fields is usually required. Practical fieldwork experience is highly meritorious, as are skills in digital documentation and GIS. Employers often require good collaboration skills and the ability to work independently under varying conditions.

• Formal education: Post-secondary education in archaeology or cultural heritage management (2–3 years)
• Certifications: Courses in GIS, documentation, and field methodology
• Internship: Field internships or trainee positions are highly recommended
• Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of physical and cultural geography
• Tips for choosing: Combine theoretical studies with practical experience to increase employability

Common benefits and compensations

Common benefits for Fornminnesinventerare include wellness allowances, compensation for fieldwork, and flexible working hours. Employment in the public sector often includes occupational pensions, insurance, and holiday benefits. Project-based employment may also include per diems and travel allowances.

Competition and challenges

Competition for positions as Fornminnesinventerare is described as relatively high, as the number of permanent positions is limited and many jobs are project-based. Challenges in the profession often involve working under time pressure, especially when inventories must be completed before development or construction projects. Seasonal variations affect workload, and physically demanding fieldwork in sometimes difficult terrain requires endurance and accuracy. Digital development also necessitates staying updated on new tools and methods for documentation.

Tips for aspiring Fornminnesinventerare

To succeed as a Fornminnesinventerare, it’s good to combine curiosity with precision and a strong eye for detail. Practical field experience is invaluable, so take the opportunity to participate in inventories, internships, or summer jobs during your studies. Good physical condition facilitates long days outdoors, especially in varied terrain. Analytical skills are needed to interpret and document findings accurately, and flexibility and teamwork are important. Staying updated on digital tools and new methods in cultural heritage management also provides an advantage in the job market.

Key facts about Fornminnesinventerare

• Education level: Post-secondary education in archaeology or cultural heritage management
• Work environment: Combined field and office work, often project-based
• Typical employment: Project or fixed-term employment with public employers
• Demand: 758 available jobs within the profession (May 2024)
• Gender distribution: Equal wages between women and men

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a Fornminnesinventerare can advance to more qualified roles such as project manager, investigator, or specialist in cultural heritage management. There are also opportunities for further education, for example in GIS or archaeological methodology, which can lead to supervisory or consulting positions. The future outlook for the profession is difficult to assess, as the Swedish Public Employment Service does not provide specific forecasts, but the overall demand within the profession remains stable with 758 available jobs reported in 2024. Since the profession is often linked to public projects and development activities, demand may vary over time.

Frequently asked questions about Fornminnesinventerare

• What does a Fornminnesinventerare earn per month?
  - The average salary is 30 000 SEK per month.
• Are there salary differences between women and men?
  - Women and men earn equal wages in this profession.
• How has the salary development been for Fornminnesinventerare?
  - Salaries have increased from 28,400 SEK (2022) to 30 000 SEK (2024).
• What education is required to become a Fornminnesinventerare?
  - Usually a post-secondary education in archaeology or cultural heritage management is required.
• Which employers hire Fornminnesinventerare?
  - Mainly government agencies, municipalities, museums, and consulting firms within cultural heritage.
• What is the job market outlook for this profession?
  - There are 758 available jobs within the profession (May 2024).
• What are the highest and lowest salaries for a Fornminnesinventerare?
  - The highest salary is 32,400 SEK, and the lowest is 26,800 SEK per month.