- Salary statistics
- Comedian
Comedian
35 200 - 35 300 kr / month
Women earn 100% of what men do.
Kultur, media, design
Salary progression Comedian
What does a comedian do? – Tasks and work environment
A comedian works to entertain and engage an audience through humorous performances, sketches, stand-up, improvisation, or scriptwriting. Tasks can range from performing on stage in front of live audiences to participating in radio, TV, podcasts, or digital media. Many comedians combine stage performances with writing their own material, producing video content, and participating in panels or talk shows. The work environment is often varied and can include small club stages, large arenas, studio recordings, or home-based script work. The profession involves evening and weekend work and requires a high degree of self-discipline, creativity, and the ability to handle audience reactions in real-time.
Salary development over time
The salary development for comedians has shown a downward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,200 SEK per month, which decreased to 36 000 SEK in 2023 and then to 35,200 SEK in 2024. This change corresponds to a total decrease of approximately 5.5% over the period. The decline can partly be explained by increased competition within the entertainment industry, changing consumption patterns for humor content, and a higher proportion of freelance work where income levels can vary significantly. Despite some stagnation in salary development, there are still opportunities for stable income for established comedians, especially those who combine multiple areas within entertainment.
Comedian salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 35,200 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 35,200 SEK/month (men), 35,300 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 35,200 SEK/month (men), 35,300 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 212 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn as much as men in this profession
- Regional differences: No available data
Education and qualifications
To become a comedian, no formal education is required, but many have backgrounds in theater, media, writing, or rhetoric. Experience performing in front of audiences, whether through amateur theater, open mic nights, or sketch groups, is often crucial for building skills and networks. Self-study, workshops, and courses in humor and performing arts can also be very helpful.
- Formal education: None required, but drama or theater studies (1–3 years) are common
- Courses and workshops: Stand-up, improvisation, scriptwriting
- Practice: Open mic, amateur stages, local revues
- Prerequisites: Interest in humor, stage experience, and creativity
- Self-study: Online courses, podcasts, inspiration from established comedians
Many successful comedians started their careers at small clubs with open mic nights, where the opportunity to test new material and fail in front of a small audience is often seen as an important part of learning. Building your own network within the industry can be crucial for getting more gigs and developing your unique style.
Common benefits and compensations
In addition to the base salary, comedians may sometimes receive fees for specific performances, royalties from TV or radio programs, and compensation for travel and accommodation during tours. It is common for freelance comedians to negotiate their own contracts, which can affect benefits and security. Some employment within larger productions or companies may also include insurance and pension contributions.
Competition and challenges
The competition within the comedy profession is high, as many aspiring comedians compete for limited stage and media opportunities. The industry is characterized by insecure employment forms, where freelance assignments and project-based employment are more common than permanent positions. Building an audience and a strong personal brand is essential for long-term success. Many comedians face challenges such as irregular income, demands for constant renewal, and real-time feedback from the audience. The ability to handle criticism and failures is therefore central to the profession.
Tips for those who want to become comedians
To succeed as a comedian, it is good to have strong self-awareness and the courage to take risks in front of an audience. Creativity is an important trait, especially when it comes to writing your own material and finding new perspectives on everyday situations. Persistence is needed to handle setbacks and continue developing even when the response is lacking. It is also valuable to be communicative and open to collaborating with others in the industry, as networking often leads to more opportunities. Regular practice on stage and gaining experience from different types of audiences make a big difference in development. The ability to read the mood and adapt your performance is central, while it is also important to stay true to your own style and humor. Finally, curiosity and the desire to learn from others are crucial for continued growth as a comedian.
Key facts about Comedians
- Education level: No formal education required
- Work environment: Stage, studio, and digital platforms
- Typical work form: Freelance or project-based employment
- Demand: 620 available jobs within the profession (2024)
- Gender salary differences: None, women and men earn equally
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, many comedians have developed their own audience and can access broader opportunities within the entertainment industry, such as scriptwriting, hosting, or participating in TV and radio productions. Some establish themselves as producers of their own shows or digital formats, while others specialize in corporate events or educational contexts. The prognosis from the Employment Service shows that demand for comedians and similar roles remains relatively stable, with 620 available jobs reported for 2024. Digitalization and new distribution channels for humor content are expected to create more opportunities, especially for those who are innovative and adaptable.
Common questions about Comedians
- What does a comedian earn?
- A comedian has an average salary of 35,200 SEK per month. - Are there salary differences between women and men?
- No, women and men earn equally within this profession. - What education is required to become a comedian?
- No formal education is required, but experience in performing and creative writing is common. - What is the job market like for comedians?
- There are 620 available jobs within the profession according to current statistics. - What is the hourly wage for a comedian?
- The average hourly wage is 212 SEK. - What work environments are common for comedians?
- Comedians often work on stages, in studios, or with digital media. - How has the salary development looked?
- The average salary has decreased from 36,200 SEK (2022) to 35,200 SEK (2024).
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 32600 kr | 32700 kr | |
| Snitt | 100% | 34900 kr | 35200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 32600 kr | 32700 kr | |
| Snitt | 100% | 34900 kr | 35200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 32600 kr | 32700 kr | |
| Snitt | 100% | 34900 kr | 35200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 100% | 34900 kr | 35200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 100% | 34900 kr | 35200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 100% | 34900 kr | 35200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 34400 kr | 34600 kr | |
| Snitt | 100% | 34900 kr | 35300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 34400 kr | 34600 kr | |
| Snitt | 100% | 34900 kr | 35300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 34400 kr | 34600 kr | |
| Snitt | 100% | 34900 kr | 35300 kr |
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 Comedian has the SSYK code 3439, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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