Salary progression Darkroom workers

Average salary 42 600 kr
Males 42 700 kr
Females 42 000 kr

What does a Darkroom Worker do? – Tasks and Work Environment

Darkroom workers primarily work with developing and copying photographic material, as well as processing images in industrial manufacturing or specialized laboratories. Tasks include handling chemicals, adjusting machines, and monitoring the production process to ensure the highest quality of the final product. The work often takes place in dark, controlled environments where precision and patience are crucial to avoid mistakes that could affect image quality. Both manual and automated processes are used, requiring technical understanding and attention to detail.

Salary development over time

The salary for Darkroom Workers has shown a clear upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 32,600 SEK per month, increasing to 38 100 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has reached 42 600 SEK, which corresponds to an increase of approximately 16.8 % over the three-year period. This salary increase can be linked to increased demand for skilled personnel in image and chemical technical processes, as well as a general appreciation of technically specialized roles. At the same time, salary development is influenced by changes in the labor market and technological shifts, where digitalization has raised the requirements for competence and adaptability.

Darkroom Worker salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 42 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 36,000 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 39,800 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 229 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 36,900 SEK/month, men earn 38,500 SEK/month (women 98 % of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Limited information, but variations may occur depending on labor market and industrial presence

Education and qualifications

To work as a Darkroom Worker, a high school education with a focus on technical or scientific subjects is usually required, sometimes supplemented with courses in photography or chemical technology. Practical experience is often advantageous, and many employers view previous work in image production or machine handling positively. Specialized certifications and internships can provide advantages during employment.

  • High school diploma: Technical or scientific focus (3 years)
  • Post-secondary courses: Photographic techniques, chemical technology (less than 3 years)
  • Internship: Practical experience in darkroom work is often meritorious
  • Certifications: Specialized training in image production and chemical handling can give a competitive edge
  • Prerequisites: Basic technical understanding and accuracy

Darkroom workers often develop a unique ability to work systematically in total or partial darkness, which requires not only technical skill but also a developed memory for environmental details and routines. This ability can be beneficial in other precision professions where visual cues are limited and a sense of structure is crucial.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Darkroom workers are often offered benefits such as extra vacation days, wellness contributions, and sometimes reduced working hours. Since the work may involve exposure to chemicals and irregular hours, compensations for inconvenient working times and protective equipment are common. Some employers also offer further training or opportunities for skill development.

Competition and challenges

The profession of Darkroom Worker has been affected by digital development in photography and image processing, leading to decreased demand for traditional tasks. Competition for remaining positions is relatively high, especially in regions where industry presence is limited. At the same time, roles that remain often require specialized skills and experience, making it difficult for newcomers to enter the labor market. Challenges such as chemical handling, ergonomic risks, and work environment aspects are also central within the profession.

Tips for those who want to become a Darkroom Worker

To succeed as a Darkroom Worker, it is good to combine technical interest with accuracy and patience. Developing a good understanding of chemical processes and machine techniques makes it easier to quickly solve problems that may arise during production. An analytical mindset and ability to work systematically are important qualities, especially when tasks are performed in dark environments where each step must be executed correctly. Being flexible and willing to learn new methods is an advantage, as technology and work tools evolve over time. Social skills and teamwork contribute to creating a safe and efficient work environment. It is also valuable to seek internships or summer jobs in the field early on to build experience and networks. Finally, good physical health is helpful, as the work can involve standing and some strain.

Key facts about Darkroom Workers

  • Educational level: High school diploma with a technical or scientific focus
  • Work environment: Dark, chemical-intensive, and controlled environments
  • Typical work form: Full-time, sometimes shift work
  • Demand: Limited but stable within specific industrial sectors
  • Special skills: Handling chemicals and photographic techniques

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, Darkroom Workers can advance to roles such as production manager, technical specialist, or quality manager within image production and chemical technical manufacturing. There are also opportunities for further education in related areas such as laboratory technology or digital image management, which can broaden career options. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, however, no specific outlook assessment is made for the profession, largely because it is a niche role within a larger occupational group. Overall, there are 1,437 job openings in the machine operators group for chemical and photographic products, indicating that employment opportunities exist, although competition for specific darkroom positions may be high.

Frequently asked questions about Darkroom Workers

  • What does a Darkroom Worker earn?
    - A Darkroom Worker has an average monthly salary of 42 600 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a Darkroom Worker?
    - Usually, a high school diploma with a technical or scientific focus and practical experience are required.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, men earn on average 38,500 SEK and women 36,900 SEK, which means women earn 98 % of men's salary.
  • What is the working environment like for Darkroom Workers?
    - The work often takes place in dark, chemical-intensive environments with demands for accuracy and safety.
  • What career opportunities are there within the profession?
    - After a few years, one can advance to roles such as production manager or technical specialist.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - No specific forecast exists, but there are available jobs within the occupational group.
  • What is the lowest and highest salary for a Darkroom Worker?
    - The lowest salary is 36,000 SEK and the highest is 39,800 SEK.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Darkroom workers is 45700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 42000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Darkroom workers is 41400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 42500 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 36100 kr 41900 kr
35-44 37300 kr 42900 kr
45-54 37800 kr 43400 kr
55-64 37900 kr 44000 kr
Snitt 98% 36900 kr 42600 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 Darkroom workers has the SSYK code 8132, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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