How much does a Opera singer make

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  2. Opera singer
Image that illustrates Opera singer

Opera 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 Opera singer

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

What does an opera singer do? – Tasks and work environment

An opera singer works on interpreting and performing roles in opera productions, often on larger stages such as opera houses and concert halls. Responsibilities include practicing singing parts, rehearsing with the orchestra, director, and other singers, as well as performing for audiences. The role requires the ability to express emotions both musically and theatrically, often in multiple languages. The work environment can be very varied, with intensive periods of rehearsals and performances, often during evenings and sometimes at different locations within the country or abroad.

Salary development over time

The salary for opera singers has shown a clear increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 45,200 SEK, which decreased slightly to 44 300 SEK in 2023. Subsequently, there was a significant rise to 48 300 SEK in 2024, representing an increase of approximately 9% compared to the previous year. This trend reflects a growing demand for qualified singers within the profession, while competition for permanent positions remains fierce. Variations in salary can also depend on assignments, employment type, and employer, with private sector and freelance singers sometimes able to negotiate higher compensation for larger productions.

Opera singer salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 48 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 42,200 SEK/month (female, post-secondary education less than 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 51,900 SEK/month (male, private sector employee)
  • Hourly wage: 290 SEK
  • Women earn: 44,200 SEK (85% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 51,900 SEK

Education and qualifications

To work as an opera singer, a high artistic education in singing is usually required, often from a music college or opera school. The educational path is long and includes singing technique, stage presentation, music theory, and language studies. Besides formal degrees, practical experience, master classes, and stage work are crucial for developing technique and expression.

  • Bachelor’s degree in classical singing/opera: 3 years
  • Master’s program in opera: 2 years
  • Auditions and entrance exams: often required for education and employment
  • Language skills: Italian, German, French, and English are common
  • Practical experience: through student productions and summer opera programs
  • Continued professional development: courses, workshops, and private lessons

Many opera singers combine their stage careers with teaching or concert activities to broaden their professional life and create financial stability. The profession thus offers great variation and personal development opportunities.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Opera singers are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, health insurance, and holiday pay. Freelancers can sometimes negotiate additional benefits, such as travel allowances, accommodation, or per diems for productions elsewhere. Permanent positions also offer opportunities for skills development and subsidized health services.

Competition and challenges

The competition within the opera singing profession is very high, as the number of trained singers exceeds the number of permanent positions at opera houses and institutions. Many work as freelancers and must constantly seek new assignments, requiring a strong network and self-promotion skills. Language and stage requirements are extensive, and the job often involves long and irregular working hours. The risk of vocal problems and the need for ongoing training place high demands on discipline and self-awareness. Despite strong demand within the profession, opportunities vary depending on location and specialization.

Tips for aspiring opera singers

To succeed as an opera singer, it’s good to combine talent with perseverance and self-discipline. Starting early with singing technique and stage presence builds a solid foundation, while curiosity and openness to different genres and languages broaden your opportunities. Creativity and collaboration skills are important, especially when shaping roles in cooperation with directors and orchestras. Building a network in the industry and being prepared to work internationally is also wise. Self-awareness and the ability to handle criticism help you develop and thrive long-term in the profession.

Key facts about opera singers

  • Salary range: 42,200–51,900 SEK/month
  • Education level: Bachelor’s or master’s in classical singing/opera
  • Typical employment: Freelance or project-based
  • Gender salary difference: Women earn 85% of men’s salaries
  • Number of job openings (profession group): 620

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as an opera singer, an established artist may land larger roles, work internationally, or combine performances with teaching. Many choose to further specialize in areas such as baroque opera or contemporary music, or transition into roles such as director, producer, or singing teacher. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast for musicians, singers, and composers, the job market is expected to remain stable over the next five years, with unchanged demand but continued competition for permanent positions. Opportunities for work are considered large nationally, but challenges include many leaving the profession or working part-time due to income insecurity.

Common questions about opera singers

  • What does an opera singer earn?
    - The average salary for an opera singer is 48 300 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salaries for opera singers?
    - Men earn an average of 51,900 SEK and women 44,200 SEK, which means women earn 85% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become an opera singer?
    - A bachelor's or master's degree in classical singing/opera is most common, often supplemented with auditions and stage experience.
  • Are there permanent positions as an opera singer?
    - Most work as freelancers or project-based employees, but some have permanent positions at larger opera houses or institutions.
  • What are the future prospects for opera singers?
    - Demand is expected to be unchanged over the next five years, but competition for positions remains high.
  • What benefits are common in the profession?
    - Common benefits include collective agreements, occupational pension, health insurance, and sometimes travel allowances and accommodation for performances elsewhere.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 15:42:28

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Opera 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 Opera 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 Opera 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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