How much does a Crossword editor make

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  2. Crossword editor
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Crossword editor

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 editor

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

A crossword editor works on creating, reviewing, and editing crosswords for publication in newspapers, magazines, or digital platforms. Tasks include designing challenging clues and ensuring that the crosswords are linguistically correct and engaging for the target audience. The profession often requires close collaboration with graphic designers and other editors to achieve a clear and appealing layout. The work is primarily office-based, but remote work is increasingly common, especially when the employer is a digital company. The environment is characterized by deadlines and high demands for accuracy, creativity, and linguistic precision.

Salary development over time

The salary for crossword editors has shown stable and positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 40,000 SEK per month. In 2023, it increased to 42 100, representing an increase of approximately 5.25%. In 2024, the average salary has reached 44,500 SEK, a further increase of about 5.7% from the previous year. This salary trend reflects a growing demand for qualified language reviewers and creative content producers, alongside increased competition for well-educated editors. The salary increase can also be linked to the digitalization of the industry, where new platforms and publishing formats require specialized skills.

Creating engaging crosswords requires not only creativity but also the ability to understand and adapt to different audiences' language levels. Many editors use test panels or collaborate with readers to ensure the difficulty level is appropriately challenging.

– statsskuld.se

Crossword editor salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 44,500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 44,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 45,200 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 268 SEK
  • Women: 44,200 SEK (98% of men's salary)
  • Men: 45 100 SEK
  • Regional differences: Small to none, some variation between urban and rural areas

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a crossword editor is often individual, but high language proficiency and good knowledge of Swedish are fundamental. Many have backgrounds in journalism, publishing, or linguistics. Formal education is not always required but increases chances of securing permanent positions with larger publishers or media companies. Practical experience, such as internships, freelance assignments, or creating your own crosswords, is highly valued.

  • Bachelor's degree: Journalism, Swedish, or linguistics (3 years)
  • Courses: Creative writing, editorial work, language technology
  • Internships: Editorial internships or trainee programs at publishers
  • Prerequisites: Very good Swedish language skills and creative problem-solving ability
  • Self-study: Creating crosswords and participating in crossword competitions

Common benefits and compensation

Crossword editors are often offered benefits such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and wellness allowances. Some employers also provide professional development, subsidized lunches, and access to industry-specific networks. Pensions and insurance coverage are common components of employment conditions, especially with larger employers.

Competition and challenges

The competition for permanent positions as a crossword editor is relatively high, as the number of full-time roles is limited and many are attracted to the creative aspects of the profession. Digitalization has expanded the job market but has also increased demands for technical skills and adaptability. Challenges include constantly delivering new ideas, adapting to changing reader preferences, and maintaining high quality under time pressure. New technology and AI tools influence job tasks, but personal creativity and language skills remain crucial for success in the role.

Tips for aspiring crossword editors

To succeed as a crossword editor, it is beneficial to combine linguistic accuracy with creativity and curiosity. Actively expanding your vocabulary by reading broadly and solving various types of crosswords builds a solid foundation. Accuracy is central, so practicing proofreading and critically reviewing texts is advisable. Being willing to try new ideas and quickly adapt to industry changes is important, especially with digital platforms. Networking with others in the industry and continuously learning about language and layout enhances competitiveness. Finally, showing initiative by submitting your own crosswords to editors or participating in competitions can provide valuable practical experience, which is highly regarded during recruitment.

Key facts about Crossword Editor

  • Educational level: Often a bachelor's degree in language or journalism
  • Work environment: Office-based or remote, with deadlines
  • Employment type: Permanent employee, freelancer, or project-based
  • Demand: 620 job openings in the field
  • Gender distribution: Women earn 98% of men's salary

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a crossword editor, career opportunities include more senior editorial roles, responsibility for larger projects, or moving into editor-in-chief positions within publishing houses and media companies. Some choose to specialize in digital crosswords or transition to content production in other parts of the media industry. Forecasts from the Swedish Employment Service indicate that the demand for skilled editors remains stable, especially in digital publishing. With 620 job openings in the field, the job market is relatively good, though competition for permanent roles is noticeable. Specializing in language, technology, or pedagogy can provide additional career advantages.

Frequently asked questions about Crossword Editor

  • What does a Crossword Editor earn?
    - The average salary is 44,500 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience and employment type.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn on average 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • What education is required to become a crossword editor?
    - A bachelor's degree in Swedish, journalism, or similar is often required, but practical experience and language skills are highly valued.
  • What does the job market look like for crossword editors?
    - There are approximately 620 job openings in the field, but competition for permanent positions is high.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Creativity, accuracy, curiosity, and a good sense of language are crucial for success.
  • What are the regional salary differences?
    - Salary differences are small, but some variation may occur between urban and rural areas.
  • Is remote work possible?
    - Yes, many employers offer remote work, especially for freelancers and digital editorial roles.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 06:37:32

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Crossword editor 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 editor 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
* 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 Crossword editor has the SSYK code 2641, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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