Image that illustrates Crossword constructor

Crossword constructor

44 500 kr

Authors etc.

44 200 - 45 200 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Crossword constructor

Average salary 44 500 kr
Males 45 100 kr
Females 44 200 kr
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What does a crossword constructor do? – Tasks and work environment

A crossword constructor creates and designs crosswords for publication in newspapers, magazines, books, or digital platforms. Tasks include coming up with clues, composing grid structures, and adjusting difficulty levels for the target audience. The profession requires strong linguistic creativity and the ability to think logically and associatively. The work environment is often flexible, with many working from home or personal offices, but there are also positions at larger media companies or publishers.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salaries for crossword constructors have shown a clear upward trend. In 2022, the average salary was 40,000 SEK per month. It increased to 42 100 SEK in 2023 and has continued to rise to the current level of 44,500 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total salary increase of about 11% over the period, exceeding the average growth in many other creative professions. The increase can partly be explained by increased demand for digital crossword solutions and a growing interest in word puzzles across media. Specialized skills and experience are highly valued, positively influencing salary development.

Crossword constructor salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 44,500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 44,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 45,200 SEK/month
  • Hourly rate: 268 SEK
  • Women: 44,200 SEK/month (98% of men's salary)
  • Men: 45 100 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

Formal education is not strictly required to work as a crossword constructor, but a strong background in Swedish language and creative writing is highly advantageous. Many in the profession have university degrees in language, literature, or communication. Practical experience, such as through internships or freelance assignments, is often crucial for establishing oneself. Self-study and participation in online writing courses are also common pathways into the profession.

  • Relevant university degrees: Swedish, Literature, or Communication (3 years)
  • Special courses: Creative writing, logic, and problem solving
  • Internships/traineeships: Possible at publishers or newspaper editorial offices
  • Self-study: Online courses and creating crosswords independently
  • Prerequisites: Very good language sense and interest in word puzzles

Many crossword constructors report that inspiration often comes from everyday situations, travels, or unexpected conversations. The ability to see word plays and hidden connections in seemingly ordinary expressions is an important part of the profession's charm and challenge.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Common benefits for crossword constructors include flexible working hours and the possibility of remote work, especially for freelancers. Some employers offer wellness allowances and opportunities for skills development through courses in language or creative writing. Bonuses or royalty-based compensation may occur with larger publishing projects, particularly in book production or digital platforms.

Competition and challenges

Competition within the profession is relatively high, as the number of permanent positions is limited and many work freelance. Digitalization and automation have changed the market but have also opened new opportunities for creative and technically skilled constructors. Challenges include constantly finding new themes and clues, as well as adapting to changing reader habits. The ability to maintain high quality and deliver under time pressure is crucial for success and securing repeat assignments.

Tips for those wanting to become crossword constructors

To succeed as a crossword constructor, it’s good to combine creativity with precision and a genuine interest in language. Regularly solving and analyzing different types of crosswords trains vocabulary and logical thinking, which are essential for creating engaging puzzles. High self-discipline helps meet deadlines and manage multiple projects, especially for freelancers. Being curious and constantly seeking new ideas from literature, everyday life, and contemporary culture contributes to original and relevant crosswords. Collaboration skills are valuable when working in editorial teams, while digital skills are increasingly important to meet the growing demand for interactive crosswords. Patience and perseverance are key qualities, as it sometimes takes many revisions before a crossword is ready for publication.

Key facts about crossword constructors

  • Education level: University education in language or communication is common
  • Work environment: Flexible, often from home or remotely
  • Typical work form: Freelance or project-based assignments
  • Demand: 620 available jobs within the group of writers and others
  • Special skills: Creative writing, language sense, and logical thinking

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, many crossword constructors have the opportunity to take on larger assignments or transition into editorial roles within publishers and media companies. Some choose to specialize in digital crossword solutions or develop their own publishing platforms. The outlook for the profession is stable according to the Swedish Public Employment Service, with continued demand for creative writers and constructors in both traditional and digital media. Since the profession belongs to the group of writers and others, there are also opportunities to diversify into other writing roles or educational activities.

Common questions about crossword constructors

  • What does a crossword constructor earn?
    - The average salary is 44,500 SEK per month, with an hourly rate around 268 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a crossword constructor?
    - Formal education is not a requirement, but higher education in language or communication is common.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn approximately 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the job market like for crossword constructors?
    - There is continued demand, with 620 available jobs within the group of writers and others.
  • What personal qualities are important for a crossword constructor?
    - Creativity, language sense, patience, and analytical ability are central qualities.
  • Can you work from home as a crossword constructor?
    - Yes, many work from home or remotely, especially as freelancers.
  • Who are the most common employers?
    - Newspapers, magazines, publishers, and digital media companies are common employers.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Crossword constructor is 45200 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 44500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Crossword constructor is 44200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 44900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 37400 kr 37500 kr
35-44 43700 kr 43700 kr
45-54 47900 kr 48300 kr
55-64 48700 kr 48900 kr
Snitt 98% 44300 kr 44500 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 Crossword constructor has the SSYK code 2641, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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