How much does a Literary agent make

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  2. Literary agent
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Literary agent

42 200 kr

Other intermediaries

41 600 - 54 400 kr / month

Women earn 103% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Literary agent

Average salary 42 200 kr
Males 41 600 kr
Females 42 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 134 Vacant jobs ->

What does a literary agent do? – Tasks and work environment

A literary agent acts as an intermediary between authors and publishers, responsible for negotiating contracts, selling book rights, and ensuring the best possible terms for their clients. Tasks include reading manuscripts, assessing literary quality, drafting agreements, and handling international rights sales. The role often also involves providing guidance to authors on manuscript development and marketing. The daily work environment is largely office-based but may also include travel to book fairs, publisher meetings, and industry events. Literary agents need strong legal knowledge, a broad network, and the ability to keep up with trends in the publishing industry.

Salary development over time

The salary of a literary agent has shown some variation over the past three years but generally an upward trend. In 2022, the average salary was 39,400 SEK per month, increasing the following year to 42 800 SEK, which corresponds to an increase of approximately 8.6%. In 2024, the average salary has stabilized at 42 200 SEK per month, indicating a slight decrease compared to the previous year but still a clear increase compared to two years earlier. Salary development is mainly influenced by demand for qualified agents, increased requirements for international rights transactions, and a growing need for legal expertise. Industry trends and digitalization have also contributed to the role becoming more specialized, reflected in salary trends.

Literary agent salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 42 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 41,600 SEK/month (men), 42,400 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 54,400 SEK/month (men), 42,900 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 254 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 103% of men's salaries
  • Regional differences: Data unavailable

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a literary agent usually involves higher education in literature, law, or marketing, often supplemented with experience in the publishing industry. Formal requirements may vary, but the profession generally requires a good understanding of copyright, contracts, and international business. Practical experience and networking are often crucial for establishing oneself in the industry.

  • Post-secondary education: Bachelor's or master's degree in literature, law, or economics (3–5 years)
  • Certifications: Courses in copyright, contracts, and publishing law
  • Internships: Internships at publishers, agencies, or similar organizations
  • Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of English and Swedish, good communication skills
  • Self-study: Opportunities for online courses in publishing and literary agency work

Working as a literary agent often involves building long-term relationships with both authors and publishers, requiring high social skills and the ability to build trust. Many agents become specialists in a certain type of literature, making it easier to find the right market for each book and author.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In addition to base salary, agents often receive commissions on sales, bonuses for successful rights deals, and sometimes participation in international book fairs. Other common benefits include flexible working hours, remote work options, and further training in industry-specific areas. Some employers also offer wellness allowances and occupational pensions.

Competition and challenges

Competition for attractive clients and profitable book deals is fierce, especially among established agencies and larger publishers. Success requires constant market monitoring and the ability to quickly adapt to changes in the publishing industry. Digitalization has transformed both working methods and distribution channels, demanding technical skills and innovative thinking. Managing complex contract negotiations and international rights issues also pose significant challenges, not least considering different regulations and market conditions.

Tips for aspiring literary agents

To succeed as a literary agent, it is important to have a genuine interest in literature and the ability to build relationships. A strong business sense and negotiation skills are crucial when finalizing agreements with publishers and rights buyers. Patience and thoroughness are also vital, as processes can be lengthy and detailed. Networking is key to success, as well as maintaining high integrity and trustworthiness. Being curious and following trends in both literature and technology helps identify new opportunities for clients. Finally, initiative and independence are important for driving projects and business forward in a changing industry.

Key facts about Literary Agent

  • Education level: Post-secondary degree (3–5 years)
  • Work environment: Office-based with travel and remote work elements
  • Work form: Often commission-based salary with bonus opportunities
  • Demand: 550 available jobs in the profession
  • Special skills: Law, copyright, and publishing agreements

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as a literary agent, opportunities exist to advance to senior agent, team leader, or start one's own agency. Many develop specialized expertise in areas such as international rights or children's and youth literature. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate continued stable demand within the profession, with 550 available jobs in the database. Digitalization and changing consumption patterns may lead to new roles, such as digital agent or rights strategist. Experience from the publishing industry and strong language skills are advantageous for further career development.

Common questions about Literary Agent

  • What does a literary agent earn?
    - The average salary for a literary agent is 42 200 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a literary agent?
    - A post-secondary education in literature, law, or economics is most common, often supplemented with industry experience.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn on average 103% of men's salaries in the profession.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - The outlook is stable with 550 available jobs and continued demand for skills.
  • What are the tasks of a literary agent?
    - Tasks include negotiating contracts, selling rights, guiding authors, and following industry trends.
  • What is the highest salary for a literary agent?
    - The highest salary is 54,400 SEK per month and applies to a man with post-secondary education employed as a private-sector employee.
  • What is the lowest salary for a literary agent?
    - The lowest salary is 41,600 SEK per month for men and 42,400 SEK for women.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 21:28:04

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Literary agent is 54400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 42900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Literary agent is 41600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 42400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 108% 42000 kr 42100 kr
35-44 42600 kr 43000 kr
Snitt 103% 42000 kr 42200 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 Literary agent has the SSYK code 3339, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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