How much does a Church singer make

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  2. Church singer
Image that illustrates Church singer

Church singer

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 Church singer

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

What does a church singer do? – Tasks and work environment

A church singer is responsible for singing during church services, religious holidays, and other ceremonies within the church's activities. The tasks often include both solo singing and participation in choirs, and sometimes leading smaller vocal groups or choirs. The church singer works closely with organists, cantors, and other musicians to create a moodful and musical setting for church events. The work primarily takes place in churches and community halls, where acoustics and environment place special demands on vocal technique and presence. Irregular working hours are common, as many assignments occur in the evenings, on weekends, and during holidays.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the average monthly salary of church singers has shown a clear increase. In 2022, the average was 45,200 SEK, followed by a slight dip to 44 300 SEK in 2023, representing about a 2% decrease. Between 2023 and 2024, the salary rose sharply to 48 300 SEK, an increase of nearly 9%. This positive salary trend can be linked to increased demand for qualified church musicians and a growing recognition of the profession's skill requirements. Salary variations may also be influenced by employment type, regional demand, and the overall salary development within the cultural sector.

Church singer salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 48 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 42,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 51,900 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 290 SEK
  • Women earn: 85% of men's salary (44,200 SEK vs. 51,900 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Not specified, but variations may occur

Education and qualifications

To work as a church singer, a music education focusing on singing is usually required, preferably supplemented with experience in church music and choir activities. Many employers view higher education in music positively, but there are also pathways via folk high schools and the church's own training programs. Practical experience in leading singing and participating in choirs is advantageous, as is good knowledge of church music tradition and liturgy.

  • Higher education in music (3–5 years)
  • Folk high school programs with church music specialization
  • Courses in singing technique and choir conducting
  • Internships within churches or congregations
  • Prerequisites: Sight-reading, ear training, and good vocal health

Many church singers have the opportunity to develop a broad musical network, as the work often involves collaboration with both amateurs and professional musicians. It provides unique opportunities for artistic development and experience exchange within a strong community.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Church singers often have access to collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness grants, and insurance. Opportunities for further training, flexible working hours, and compensation for unsocial hours are also common within the profession. The work may sometimes include extra pay during special holidays or major musical projects.

Competition and challenges

The profession of church singer is characterized by a paradoxical labor market: while there is a certain recruitment need, the proportion of part-time workers and those leaving the profession is relatively high. Competition for permanent positions can be intense, especially in larger cities and popular congregations, whereas in smaller towns it can be difficult to find qualified singers. Challenges also include physical demands on the voice, the need for constant development, and meeting the congregation's musical expectations. Flexibility and the ability to work irregular hours are crucial for success and satisfaction in the role.

Tips for aspiring church singers

To succeed as a church singer, it is good to combine musical skill with strong engagement and good teamwork abilities. Continuously developing your singing technique and caring for your voice is important, as is being attentive to the congregation's needs and wishes. Showing initiative, such as taking responsibility for your own projects or choirs, can create more employment opportunities. An openness to working at different times and in various musical genres is also valuable. Social competence and the ability to create a sense of security within the group facilitate collaboration with colleagues and congregation members. Finally, patience and perseverance are important, as the path to a permanent position can be long and competitive.

Key facts about church singers

  • Educational level: Higher education or folk high school education in music, often a requirement
  • Work environment: Churches, community halls, and event venues
  • Demand: Great opportunities for work nationwide
  • Common employment form: Part-time or project-based
  • Special skills: Choir conducting and liturgical music

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a church singer can develop into roles such as choir conductor, soloist at major church music events, or music educator within the congregation. Some choose to further train as a cantor or organist to broaden their employment options. The employment agency’s forecast shows that opportunities within the group of musicians, singers, and composers are large, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. Despite good future prospects, recruitment can be challenging, as many positions are part-time or project-based. For those flexible and willing to work in multiple locations, there are good chances of employment. Recently, there were 620 available jobs in the profession, indicating a certain shortage of qualified church musicians.

Frequently asked questions about church singers

  • What is the average salary of a church singer?
    - A church singer has an average salary of 48 300 SEK per month.
  • How does the salary differ between women and men?
    - Women earn on average 44,200 SEK while men earn 51,900 SEK, which means women earn 85% of men's salary.
  • What education is required to become a church singer?
    - A university or folk high school education in music with a focus on singing is often required, preferably supplemented with courses in choir conducting and liturgical music.
  • What does the job market look like for church singers?
    - Opportunities for work are good nationwide, but many positions are part-time or project-based.
  • What personal qualities are important for a church singer?
    - Musical skill, teamwork ability, flexibility, and social competence are important qualities in the profession.
  • Are there regional salary differences for church singers?
    - Regional differences may occur, but specific data is lacking.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 19:42:14

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

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