How much does a Composer, popular music make

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Composer, popular music

48 300 kr

Musicians, singers and composers

42 200 - 51 900 kr / month

Women earn 85% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Composer, popular music

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

What does a composer in popular music do? – Tasks and work environment

A composer in popular music works on creating and arranging music pieces that are often aimed at a broad audience. Tasks include composing melodies, writing lyrics, arranging music for different instruments, and sometimes producing recordings in a studio. Many work project-based, often in collaboration with artists, producers, and record labels. The work environment varies from home studios to professional recording studios and occasionally live performances or workshops. Flexible working hours and deadlines are common, as are periods of intense creative work before productions or releases.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salary development for composers in popular music has shown both stability and a noticeable increase. In 2022, the average salary was 45,200 SEK per month, which decreased slightly to 44 300 SEK in 2023. However, there was a sharp increase to 48 300 SEK in 2024, representing a salary increase of approximately 9% over the past year. This positive trend can partly be explained by increased demand for original music in streaming, advertising, and digital media, as well as a higher level of professionalism in the industry. Variations between years may also be due to economic conditions, project-based income, and changes in rights royalties.

Composer in popular music salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 48 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 42,200 SEK/month (female, post-secondary education shorter than 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 51,900 SEK/month (male, private sector employee, unspecified education)
  • Hourly rate (average): 290 SEK
  • Women: 44,200 SEK/month
  • Men: 51,900 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 85% of what men do

Many composers in popular music work in small, creative teams where collaboration with artists and producers is crucial for the final result. International collaborations have increased significantly in recent years, opening up for global contacts and influences. Technological developments have also enabled more people to produce professional music from their home studios.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a composer in popular music varies, but a combination of musical foundational education, technical understanding, and practical experience is often essential. Many have post-secondary education in music, but it is also common to supplement with courses in music production, sound engineering, and songwriting. Self-study and networking are central components, especially since the industry values portfolios and collaborations highly.

  • Post-secondary education: Typically 2–4 years in music, composition, or music production
  • Courses and certifications: Music production, songwriting, sound engineering
  • Internship or traineeship: Often through collaborations with artists or producers
  • Prerequisites: Musical skills and digital competence
  • Self-study/online: Common for developing technical and creative skills

Common benefits and compensations

Composers in popular music often have opportunities for royalties and rights-based compensation beyond base salary. Other common benefits may include access to professional studios, flexible working hours, remote work options, and sometimes further education or participation in industry events. Compensation models vary depending on whether the work is as an employee, consultant, or freelancer.

Competition and challenges

The competition in the profession is high, as many aspire to a career as a composer in popular music. The industry is characterized by fast-changing trends, requiring constant renewal to stay relevant. Uncertain income, project-based work, and reliance on networks are some of the major challenges. Additionally, technological development demands technical knowledge and the ability to handle new tools and platforms. Success requires both creativity and business acumen.

Tips for aspiring composers in popular music

To succeed as a composer in popular music, it’s good to be both creative and persistent, as the path to success is often long and requires patience. Building a strong network in the industry is crucial, so social skills and collaboration ability are important qualities. It’s recommended to continuously develop technical skills by learning new software and production methods, as digitalization and new tools are transforming workflows. Self-discipline is also essential, especially for those working independently or freelance. Being curious about new genres and trends helps keep the music current and interesting. Finally, documenting and showcasing your work through a professional portfolio or online presence can open doors to projects and collaborations.

Key facts about Composer in popular music

  • Education level: Post-secondary education in music (2–4 years common)
  • Work environment: Studio, home studio, or project-based
  • Work form: Often freelance, but employment also occurs
  • Demand: 620 job openings in 2024
  • Gender differences: Women earn 85% of men's salaries

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a composer in popular music can take on larger projects, work with established artists, or develop a niche in areas such as film music, advertising, or digital platforms. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast for musicians, singers, and composers, job opportunities are considered good nationally, although the recruitment situation is characterized by high demand and high turnover. Over five years, demand is expected to remain unchanged, meaning competition will continue, but skilled and flexible composers still have many opportunities. The number of job openings in the profession is 620.

Common questions about Composer in popular music

  • What does a composer in popular music earn?
    - The average salary for a composer in popular music is 48 300 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a composer in popular music?
    - Post-secondary education in music is common, but self-study and courses in music production are also important.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 85% of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the job market like for composers in popular music?
    - Opportunities are considered good, with 620 job openings in 2024.
  • What are the most common work environments?
    - Composers often work in studios, home studios, or project-based environments.
  • What influences the salary of a composer in popular music?
    - Experience, gender, education, type of employment, and project scope influence the salary.
  • Can you work internationally as a composer?
    - Yes, international collaborations and digital distribution make it possible to work globally.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 09:04:22

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Composer, popular music 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 Composer, popular music 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 Composer, popular music has the SSYK code 2652, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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