Image that illustrates Catalog designer

Catalog designer

46 600 kr

Information officers, communicators and PR specialists

39 900 - 51 900 kr / month

Women earn 93% of what men do.

Administration, ekonomi

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Catalog designer

Average salary 46 600 kr
Males 49 100 kr
Females 45 700 kr

What does a catalog designer do? – Tasks and work environment

Catalog designers work on designing and structuring catalogs, both in print and digital formats, for companies, organizations, and authorities. The role includes planning layouts, choosing typography and color schemes, and collaborating with photographers, copywriters, and marketers to create visually appealing and user-friendly catalogs. The work environment is often office-based and characterized by project work with clear deadlines and sometimes high tempo, especially before major launches or campaigns. Advanced design software is often used, and precision as well as the ability to handle feedback from various stakeholders are required.

Salary development over time

The salary for catalog designers has seen steady growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,800 SEK per month, increasing to 45 100 in 2023 and reaching 46 600 in 2024. This corresponds to a total salary increase of about 6.4% over three years, which is slightly above the average for similar creative roles. Drivers behind this development include increased demand for qualified design skills in digital media and a general appreciation of the profession's contribution to brand building. Despite this positive trend, statistics still show a gender pay gap, where women earn on average 93% of what men do in the profession.

Catalog designer salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 46 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 39,900 SEK/month (women, public sector, upper secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 51,900 SEK/month (women, public sector, pre-secondary education)
  • Hourly wage: 280 SEK (average, based on 166 hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn 45 700 SEK, men 49 100 SEK (women = 93% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: No specific regional statistics available, but variations occur between urban and rural areas.

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a catalog designer usually involves education in graphic design, visual communication, or similar fields. Formal requirements vary between employers, but higher education is common, sometimes combined with experience working in design or marketing teams. Practical experience and a portfolio are often crucial for employment and career development.

  • Formal education: Bachelor's program in graphic design or visual communication (3 years)
  • Courses/certifications: For example in InDesign, Photoshop, and other design tools
  • Internship: Commonly undertaken during or after education
  • Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of image and form as well as digital tools
  • Self-study/online: Many supplement with online courses or personal portfolio development

Catalog designers often work closely with marketing departments and product teams, making communication skills and understanding business goals important success factors in the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Catalog designers are often offered benefits such as well-being allowances, flexible working hours, remote work, and opportunities for further training in digital tools. In some cases, bonuses, pension contributions, and staff discounts may also be included depending on the employer and sector.

Competition and challenges

The job market for catalog designers is characterized by moderate competition, with about 758 available positions within the group of communicators, public relations, and PR specialists. Challenges include rapid technological changes, increased demands for digital skills, and the ability to adapt to changing customer needs. Additionally, the role often requires multitasking and good project management, as several catalog projects may run in parallel. It is also important to continuously update your portfolio and skills to remain attractive on the job market.

Tips for aspiring catalog designers

To succeed as a catalog designer, it is good to have a developed sense of color and form, while analytical skills help in structuring large amounts of information. Being curious and staying updated on new digital tools gives an advantage, as does building a strong portfolio that demonstrates both creativity and technical skill. Attention to detail is crucial when layout and typography details must align, and good collaboration skills aid in projects with marketing and product teams. Flexibility and resilience under stress are important qualities, especially when facing tight deadlines. Finally, networking within the industry and seeking internships can provide valuable contacts and experiences.

Key facts about Catalog Designers

  • Education level: Higher education (usually 3 years)
  • Work environment: Office-based, often project-oriented
  • Work form: Usually full-time, sometimes with remote options
  • Demand: Moderate, approximately 758 available jobs nationally within the group
  • Special skills: Advanced digital design and layout

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a catalog designer, opportunities often arise to advance to roles such as art director, marketing project manager, or digital publishing specialist. Some choose to become freelance designers or move into more strategic roles within communication and brand development. According to the Employment Service's forecasts for communicators, public relations, and PR specialists, demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, with a balanced recruitment situation. The job market is thus considered stable, but competition for the most attractive positions can be high.

Frequently asked questions about Catalog Designers

  • What does a Catalog Designer earn?
    - The average salary is 46 600 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, gender, and sector.
  • What education is required to become a catalog designer?
    - Typically, higher education in graphic design or visual communication, often complemented by practical experience.
  • Are there gender differences in salary for catalog designers?
    - Yes, women earn on average 93% of what men do within the profession.
  • What are the future prospects for catalog designers?
    - Demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years according to the Employment Service.
  • Who are the most common employers for catalog designers?
    - Larger companies, authorities, advertising agencies, and organizations with extensive catalog needs.
  • What are common benefits for catalog designers?
    - Well-being allowances, flexible working hours, remote work, and opportunities for further training are common.
  • What is the work environment like for catalog designers?
    - The work environment is usually office-based and project-oriented, with periods of high tempo and tight deadlines.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Catalog designer is 51900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a pre-secondary education, 9 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 51300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Catalog designer is 39900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 41800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 28200 kr 28300 kr
25-34 93% 39600 kr 39800 kr
35-44 93% 47500 kr 47900 kr
45-54 97% 50800 kr 51300 kr
55-64 92% 50100 kr 50600 kr
65-68 50500 kr 50900 kr
Snitt 93% 46200 kr 46600 kr
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 Catalog designer has the SSYK code 2432, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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