Sound designer salary

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Sound designer salary

39 700 SEK

Lighting, sound and stage technicians

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

37 700 - 43 000 SEK / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

Average salary 39 700 SEK/month Monthly gross salary
Salary range 37 700 - 43 000 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does a sound designer do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Sound designer salary – complete overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Sound designer

Average salary 39 700 kr
Males 40 000 kr
Females 37 800 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 27 Vacant jobs ->

What does a sound designer do? – Tasks and work environment

A sound designer works with creating, editing, and integrating sound into various productions such as film, TV, stage art, video games, and advertising. Tasks include everything from sound recording and editing to mixing and mastering finished soundscapes. The role often involves collaboration with directors, producers, and other creative professionals to ensure the sound enhances the story and mood of the production. The work environment varies between studio settings, live events, and on-location recordings, presenting both technical and creative challenges. Flexibility and the ability to work under time pressure are key qualities for the profession.

Salary development over time

The salary of a sound designer has shown stable and positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 35,100 SEK per month, which increased to 38 600 SEK in 2023. Between 2023 and 2024, the salary rose significantly to 39 700 SEK, representing an increase of about 8.7% in one year. This salary increase can partly be explained by increased demand for audio skills within digital media, video games, and streaming services, where sound design has become increasingly important for user experience. Industry technological developments and the need for specialized knowledge have also contributed to a higher valuation of the profession. Gender differences are relatively small but persistent, with women earning on average 94% of what men do within the field.

Sound designers often have the opportunity to work on everything from theater and film to games and interactive installations. The creative breadth of the profession means many sound designers collaborate with technicians, directors, and artists, resulting in a dynamic and varied workday.

– statsskuld.se

Sound designer salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 39 700 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 33,600 SEK/month (female), 36,100 SEK/month (male)
  • Highest salary: 40,300 SEK/month (female), 43,700 SEK/month (male)
  • Hourly rate: 232 SEK/hour
  • Gender difference: Women earn 94% of what men do (37 800 SEK vs 40 000 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salary variations occur, but no clear regional statistics are available for the profession

Education and qualifications

To work as a sound designer, a post-secondary education in audio engineering, sound production, or equivalent creative fields is usually required. Many combine formal education with practical experience from internships, freelance work, or personal projects. Self-study and specialized online courses have become increasingly common, especially within new technical areas. Employers often value technical skills, creativity, and the ability to collaborate in teams.

  • Post-secondary education: Vocational or university programs in audio engineering (1–3 years)
  • Certifications: Courses in software such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro, or similar
  • Internships/Traineeships: Common during education or as an entry point into the industry
  • Prerequisites: Basic technical understanding and interest in sound production
  • Self-study: Online courses and personal projects are common

Common benefits and compensations

Sound designers are often offered benefits such as flexible working hours, remote work options, wellness allowances, and access to modern technical equipment. Larger productions may also provide compensation for unsociable hours and overtime, especially for live events or recordings outside regular working hours.

Competition and challenges

Competition for roles as a sound designer is relatively high, especially in popular industries like film, gaming, and advertising. Many employers require documented experience and specialized technical skills, making portfolios and networks crucial for establishing oneself. Technological changes demand continuous professional development and adaptability. Another challenge is that the job market often consists of project-based employment and freelance assignments, which can impact income and job security. Women are underrepresented in the profession, which can pose challenges related to equality and representation.

Tips for aspiring sound designers

To succeed as a sound designer, it's good to be curious and receptive to new techniques and methods. Building a broad portfolio through personal projects and internships provides valuable experience and strengthens your position in the job market. Precision is important, especially in editing and mixing, where small details can significantly affect the final result. Creativity and problem-solving skills help when unexpected challenges arise during productions. Collaboration skills are essential, as the profession often involves close work with other creatives and technicians. Staying updated on new software and industry trends gives an advantage, and taking initiative can lead to exciting opportunities. Finally, patience and perseverance are key qualities in an industry where project timelines and working conditions can vary.

Key facts about the Sound Designer

  • Education level: Post-secondary education (1–3 years)
  • Work environment: Studio, live events, and on location
  • Typical employment type: Project employment or freelance
  • Demand: Approximately 620 job openings in the field
  • Gender distribution: Women earn 94% of what men do

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, many sound designers develop specialized expertise in areas such as film, gaming, or stage production. It is common to advance to roles like sound technician project manager, sound director, or specialized sound editor. Some choose to start their own business and work as consultants in various parts of the industry. According to the Swedish Employment Agency's forecasts, no specific assessment is made for sound designers, but the field of lighting, sound, and stage technicians currently has 620 job openings. Digitalization and increased production in gaming, film, and streaming services are expected to maintain demand, although the job market remains project-based and may fluctuate over time.

Frequently asked questions about Sound Designer

  • What is the average salary of a Sound Designer?
    - The average salary is 39 700 SEK per month.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for a sound designer?
    - The highest is 43,700 SEK and the lowest is 33,600 SEK per month, depending on gender and sector.
  • What education is required to become a sound designer?
    - Post-secondary education in audio engineering or sound production, often 1–3 years long.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 94% of what men do within the profession.
  • What does the job market look like for sound designers?
    - There are approximately 620 job openings, but competition for attractive positions is high.
  • What are the most common work environments?
    - Studios, live events, and on-location recordings are most common for sound designers.
  • Can I work as a freelance sound designer?
    - Yes, many work as freelancers or on a project basis.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 17:15:40

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Sound designer is 43000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 40100 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Sound designer is 37700 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 38400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 34800 kr 35500 kr
35-44 37300 kr 38100 kr
45-54 44000 kr 45100 kr
55-64 43500 kr 43900 kr
Snitt 94% 38900 kr 39700 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 Sound designer has the SSYK code 3522, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 390
Net salary
31 390
Taxes
11 718
Fees
12 582

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

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* Updated with 2026 taxes

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