Image that illustrates Chorister

Chorister

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 Chorister

Average salary 48 300 kr
Males 51 900 kr
Females 44 200 kr

What does a Korist do? – Tasks and work environment

A Korist is a professional singer who works in a choir, often within opera houses, theaters, churches, or independent ensembles. The main tasks involve performing singing in groups but can also include individual parts or solo segments depending on the production requirements. The work demands high musical precision, good vocal health, and the ability to collaborate with conductors, colleagues, and other performing arts professionals. The work environment varies from rehearsal rooms and studios to stages in front of audiences, often involving both fixed and irregular hours, sometimes in evenings and on weekends.

Salary development over time

The salary for a Korist has changed significantly over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 45,200 SEK per month, which slightly decreased to 44 300 SEK in 2023. However, in 2024, a clear increase has been observed, with the average salary now at 48 300 SEK. This represents a salary increase of approximately 9% from the previous year. The salary trend can partly be explained by increased demand for qualified choir singers, adjustments in collective agreements, and a general salary improvement within the cultural sector. Fluctuations between years may also be due to temporary projects, seasonal variations, and differences in employment forms.

Korist salary – comprehensive overview

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

Working as a Korist often requires quickly adapting to different musical styles and ensembles. Many choirs work project-based, providing opportunities to participate in everything from classical oratorios to new stage music and collaborations with other art forms.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a Korist typically involves formal music education, where singing technique and sight-reading are thoroughly trained. In addition to education, experience in advanced choir singing, auditions, and sometimes specific tests are often required. Self-study and ongoing vocal training are crucial to maintaining professional competence. Many choose to deepen their skills through masterclasses, short courses, or working with vocal coaches.

  • Higher education: Music college or equivalent, 3–5 years
  • Auditions: Often required for employment in professional choirs
  • Internship/experience: Participation in choir during studies is recommended
  • Further training: Masterclasses, workshops, and voice training
  • Prerequisites: Good sight-reading and vocal health

Common benefits and compensations

Koristers often have benefits such as collective agreement-based pension schemes, insurance, wellness allowances, and sometimes access to voice care or singing teachers at the workplace. Some employers also offer subsidized lunches, tickets to performances, and opportunities for professional development through internal courses and workshops.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a Korist is competitive, especially in larger cities where demand for permanent positions is high. Many work project-based or as freelancers, which requires flexibility and networking. Challenges include uneven workload, vocal strain, and the need for continuous musical development. Salary differences between genders persist, and opportunities for full-time employment vary across regions and employers. Despite these challenges, there are good opportunities for those who are well-educated and have established contacts in the industry.

Tips for aspiring Koristers

To succeed as a Korist, it is important to combine musical precision with a strong commitment to choir singing. Good collaboration skills are essential, as the work always involves working with other singers and under the direction of conductors. Being flexible and able to quickly adapt to different musical styles and ensembles opens more doors to projects and permanent positions. Vocal care and endurance are important qualities, as workload can vary and rehearsals are often intensive. Actively seeking further training and participating in masterclasses can provide new contacts and deepen knowledge. Finally, a professional network and good discipline facilitate invitations to auditions and new collaborations.

Key facts about Korist

  • Education level: Music college or equivalent, 3–5 years
  • Work environment: Theaters, opera houses, churches, and studios
  • Employment type: Permanent or project-based
  • Demand: 620 available jobs within the profession
  • Special skills: Sight-reading and advanced singing technique

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Korist, there may be opportunities to advance to more prominent roles, such as section leader or soloist in larger productions. Some choose to further their education as singing teachers or conductors, while others combine choir singing with freelance work in the music industry. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, job opportunities nationally are large, although competition for permanent positions can be high, and the recruitment situation paradoxically involves both shortages and high turnover. The demand for the profession is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. Regional variations may occur, but generally, experienced and well-educated Korists have good chances to establish themselves within the profession of Musicians, Singers, and Composers.

Frequently asked questions about Korist

  • What does a Korist earn per month?
    - A Korist has an average salary of 48 300 SEK per month, with variations depending on gender and employment type.
  • Are there large salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn an average of 44,200 SEK while men earn 51,900 SEK, which means women earn approximately 85% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a Korist?
    - Usually, a music college education in singing lasting 3–5 years and experience in advanced choir singing are required.
  • What is the job market like for Koristers?
    - There are 620 available jobs within the profession, and nationally, employment opportunities are considered to be good.
  • What is the work environment like for a Korist?
    - The work environment varies between theaters, opera houses, churches, and studios, often with both fixed and irregular hours.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for a Korist?
    - The highest salary is 51,900 SEK (male, private sector), and the lowest is 42,200 SEK (female, shorter post-secondary education).

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

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