How much does a Freelance journalist make

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Freelance journalist

44 800 kr

Journalists etc.

43 900 - 51 000 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Freelance journalist

Average salary 44 800 kr
Males 45 200 kr
Females 44 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 12 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Freelance Journalist do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A freelance journalist works independently to investigate, write, and publish articles, reports, and news for various media outlets. Tasks vary depending on the client and can include everything from news coverage and interviews to in-depth investigations and columns. The work often takes place remotely, at home or shared office spaces, but fieldwork and travel are also common. The digital development has expanded the work environment, as many assignments now include online publishing and social media, which requires flexibility and technical skills.

Salary development over time

The salary for freelance journalists has shown a slightly rising trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK per month, which decreased slightly to 42 500 SEK the following year. Despite this temporary dip, the salary increased again to 44 800 SEK in 2024, representing an increase of approximately 4.5% compared to the previous year. This development reflects an increased demand for flexible journalistic services, while competition within the profession remains high. Variations in salary can partly be explained by client budgets, changing media consumption habits, and the overall labor market trends for journalists.

Freelance Journalist salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 44 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 43,900 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 51,000 SEK/month (male, public sector, post-secondary education 3 years or more)
  • Highest salary (female): 48,500 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 269 SEK
  • Gender gap: Women earn 98% of what men do (45 200 SEK/month for men, 44 400 SEK/month for women)
  • Regional differences: Specific data is unavailable, but metropolitan regions tend to offer more and higher-paid assignments.

Education and qualifications

To work as a freelance journalist, a university or college-level journalism degree is usually required, but other academic qualifications can also be relevant, especially if combined with writing and media production experience. Practical experience and a strong network are often crucial for establishing oneself as a freelancer. Many supplement their education with courses in digital journalism, photography, or video production.

  • Formal degree: Journalism education, college/university (2–3 years)
  • Additional courses: Digital journalism, photography, video
  • Internships: Often through trainee positions or summer jobs at editorial offices
  • Prerequisites: High school diploma, good language skills
  • Self-study: Online courses and self-publishing can be advantageous

Many freelance journalists build niche expertise, for example in science, culture, or international reporting, which can lead to more specialized and better-paid assignments.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

As a freelance journalist, employment benefits are rare, but reimbursements for travel, materials, and sometimes fees for published articles occur. Some clients also offer bonuses for larger reports or longer engagements. Access to press cards and editorial networks can also be an important benefit to facilitate daily work.

Competition and challenges

The competition within freelance journalism is high, as many educated journalists seek freelance work for increased flexibility and independence. Clients often demand quick delivery, broad competence, and the ability to adapt to various publishing platforms. Uncertain income, irregular flow of assignments, and the need for continuous skill development are common challenges. Additionally, active networking is necessary to secure new assignments and maintain a stable workload. Digitalization offers both opportunities and threats, as competition is now global and assignments can be sought by journalists worldwide.

Tips for aspiring freelance journalists

To succeed as a freelance journalist, it is beneficial to combine curiosity with strong self-discipline, as the profession requires both creativity and structure in daily work. Building a broad network and actively seeking potential clients increases chances of more and better assignments, especially if one shows initiative and independence. Communication skills are crucial, both in contact with editors and during interviews, and it’s important to continuously develop digital skills to meet market demands. Specializing in a niche can be advantageous, while flexibility and adaptability facilitate handling different types of assignments. Finally, perseverance is essential, as the path to a stable income can be long, but opportunities are plentiful for those who are persistent and engaged.

Key facts about Freelance Journalist

  • Education level: Post-secondary education (usually 2–3 years)
  • Work environment: Remote, from home, or in the field
  • Typical employment: Self-employed or contractor
  • Demand: Approximately 620 available jobs within the profession
  • Gender salary distribution: Women earn 98% of men's salary

Career paths and future outlook

After 3–5 years as a freelance journalist, it is common to develop a specialized niche, for example in culture, science, or international reporting. Some move on to permanent editorial positions, while others establish themselves as experts and receive larger assignments or lead their own projects. According to the Employment Service, no clear forecast is made for freelance journalists specifically, but within the journalism profession, there were 620 available jobs in the latest survey. The digital transformation and changing media habits present both increased competition and new opportunities, especially for those skilled in digital publishing and multimedia storytelling.

Frequently asked questions about Freelance Journalist

  • What does a Freelance Journalist earn?
    - A freelance journalist has an average salary of 44 800 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a Freelance Journalist?
    - Typically, a university or college-level journalism education is required, often supplemented with practical experience.
  • What does the working environment look like for a Freelance Journalist?
    - The working environment is flexible and can be from home, in the field, or from shared office spaces.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Specific figures are unavailable, but metropolitan areas tend to offer more and sometimes higher-paid assignments.
  • What are the biggest challenges of the profession?
    - Intense competition, uncertain income, and the need for continuous skill development are common challenges.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - The Employment Service does not make a specific forecast, but there are about 620 available jobs within the journalism profession.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary?
    - The highest salary is 51,000 SEK/month, and the lowest is 43,900 SEK/month.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-11 03:26:16

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Freelance journalist is 51000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 48500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Freelance journalist is 43900 kr. Both men and women in this profession have the same lowest salary and work in the Multiple sectors.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 31500 kr 34000 kr
25-34 96% 38400 kr 40100 kr
35-44 102% 45400 kr 46500 kr
45-54 104% 45600 kr 46400 kr
55-64 97% 47400 kr 48600 kr
Snitt 98% 43500 kr 44800 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 Freelance journalist has the SSYK code 2642, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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