How much does a Chamber musician make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Chamber musician
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Chamber musician

48 300 kr

Musicians, singers and composers

42 200 - 51 900 kr / month

Women earn 85% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Chamber musician

Average salary 48 300 kr
Males 51 900 kr
Females 44 200 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 6 Vacant jobs ->

What does a chamber musician do? – Tasks and work environment

A chamber musician works performing music in smaller ensembles, often in concert halls, churches, or at private events. Tasks include intensive collaboration with other musicians, repertoire selection, rehearsals, and regular concerts. The profession requires high artistic skill, the ability to listen attentively, and interpret musical works collaboratively. The work environment can vary between formal concert settings and more informal performances, and workweeks are often irregular with evening and weekend work.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, chamber musicians have seen a noticeable change in salary development. In 2022, the average salary was 45,200 SEK, which decreased slightly to 44 300 SEK in 2023. However, in 2024, salaries have risen significantly and are now recorded at 48 300 SEK. This increase represents about a 9% rise from the previous year. The trend indicates a growing demand for qualified musicians, positively impacting salary levels. Salaries are also influenced by competition within the industry, level of education, and employment opportunities across sectors. Generally, the profession offers relatively high salaries compared to other musician roles, but gender disparities remain evident.

Chamber musician salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 48 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 42,200 SEK/month (female, post-secondary education less than 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 51,900 SEK/month (male, private sector employee)
  • Hourly wage: 290 SEK
  • Gender differences: Men earn 51,900 SEK, women 44,200 SEK (85% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: No specific data available

Education and qualifications

To work as a chamber musician, a higher music education is generally required, often from a conservatory or equivalent. The education combines instrumental training, ensemble work, and music theory. Practical experience from various ensembles or orchestras is highly valuable, as is the ability to collaborate and develop artistically. Some employers may also require auditions or specific certifications.

  • Formal degree: Bachelor's degree in music (3 years), often followed by a master's program
  • Practical experience: Concerts, competitions, and collaborations
  • Prerequisites: Basic music and instrumental education
  • Certifications/courses: Participation in masterclasses and workshops
  • Tips for choosing: Early specialization and instrument focus can facilitate career start

Many chamber musicians combine performances with teaching, project management, or organization. This broadens networks and work opportunities within the music industry.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Chamber musicians often have access to benefits such as wellness allowances, travel reimbursements, and access to instruments or practice rooms. Longer engagements may include collective agreements, pension contributions, and insurance. Freelance musicians can sometimes negotiate fees, but job security varies depending on employer and assignment type.

Competition and challenges

The job market for chamber musicians is characterized by high competition, with many qualified musicians vying for a limited number of positions and engagements. The industry features insecure employment conditions and a constant need to maintain and develop artistic skills. Many combine different assignments, such as teaching and project management, for more stable income. Networking and visibility in the music scene are crucial for establishing oneself. The profession also demands strong personal drive and the ability to handle performance pressure and irregular hours.

Tips for aspiring chamber musicians

To succeed as a chamber musician, it is important to combine musical skill with perseverance and curiosity. Regular participation in ensemble projects and competitions develops listening skills and collaboration, essential in the profession. A strong personal drive helps build networks and create performance opportunities, while flexibility allows adaptation to various musical settings. The ability to accept constructive criticism and a desire for continuous improvement contribute to long-term development. Being open to new genres and collaborations broadens career options. Lastly, patience is key, as establishing oneself often takes time and discipline combined with passion.

Key facts about Chamber Musicians

  • Education level: Bachelor's or master's degree in music
  • Work form: Mostly freelance or project-based
  • Demand: 620 available jobs in 2024
  • Work environment: Concert halls, churches, and events
  • Gender differences: Women earn 85% of what men do

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a chamber musician, opportunities exist to advance to roles such as concertmaster, ensemble leader, or project manager within music production. Many combine their musician career with teaching at cultural or music colleges, providing more stable income and broader contacts. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast for musicians, singers, and composers, employment opportunities are promising, but the recruitment situation is paradoxical: while there is a shortage of certain skills, competition is intense, and many leave the profession or work part-time. Over five years, demand is expected to remain steady, requiring high competence and flexibility for long-term establishment in the field.

Frequently asked questions about Chamber Musicians

  • What does a chamber musician earn?
    - The average salary for a chamber musician is 48 300 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a chamber musician?
    - Typically, a bachelor's or master's degree in music from a conservatory is required.
  • What are the gender differences in salaries?
    - Women earn approximately 85% of what men do within the profession.
  • Are there many job openings for chamber musicians?
    - Currently, there are 620 available jobs within the profession.
  • What are common work environments for a chamber musician?
    - Concert halls, churches, and various events are the most common work environments.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - Demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a chamber musician?
    - The highest salary is 51,900 SEK and the lowest is 42,200 SEK per month.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-11 22:18:52

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Chamber musician is 51900 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 44200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Chamber musician is 42200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 49800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
35-44 88% 47600 kr 48100 kr
45-54 44100 kr 44900 kr
55-64 96% 46900 kr 48100 kr
65-68 45500 kr 46800 kr
Snitt 85% 47400 kr 48300 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 Chamber musician has the SSYK code 2652, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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