- Salary statistics
- Opera singer salary
Opera singer salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
44 400 - 46 400 SEK / month
Kultur, media, design
Related tools
Salary progression Opera singer
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 48 300 SEK in 2023. Subsequently, there was a significant rise to 47 400 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: 47 400 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 (0% 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.
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 0% 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 47 400 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 0% 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.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 42200 kr | 43000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 104% | 43700 kr | 44400 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 44600 kr | 46000 kr |
| Snitt | 46400 kr | 47400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 42200 kr | 43000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 104% | 43700 kr | 44400 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 44600 kr | 46000 kr |
| Snitt | 46400 kr | 47400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 42200 kr | 43000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 104% | 43700 kr | 44400 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 44600 kr | 46000 kr |
| Snitt | 46400 kr | 47400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 104% | 42800 kr | 43500 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 44400 kr | 45500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 104% | 42800 kr | 43500 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 44400 kr | 45500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 104% | 42800 kr | 43500 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 44400 kr | 45500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 43000 kr | 44100 kr | |
| 35-44 | 45800 kr | 46900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 104% | 44300 kr | 45100 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 44700 kr | 46300 kr |
| Snitt | 44300 kr | 45500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 43000 kr | 44100 kr | |
| 35-44 | 45800 kr | 46900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 104% | 44300 kr | 45100 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 44700 kr | 46300 kr |
| Snitt | 44300 kr | 45500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 43000 kr | 44100 kr | |
| 35-44 | 45800 kr | 46900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 104% | 44300 kr | 45100 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 44700 kr | 46300 kr |
| Snitt | 44300 kr | 45500 kr |
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.
-
First Violinist (Tutti) – Norrköping Symphony Orchestra
Musicians, singers and composers
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 01:08 -
Alternating Principal Trombone – Norrköping Symphony Orchestra
Musicians, singers and composers
Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 22:33 -
Church Musician with a Heart for Children and Youth – Oskarshamns Parish
Musicians, singers and composers
Thu, 18 Jun 2026 - 10:11 -
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra seeks 1st violin tutti (2 positions)
Musicians, singers and composers
Thu, 18 Jun 2026 - 08:06 -
Kantor (Church Musician) for Ekhagskyrkan in Jönköping
Musicians, singers and composers
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 - 23:32
Compare salary, work tasks and job outlook in adjacent occupations to find roles with similar skills or pay levels.
-
Singer, classical music salary
Average salary: 47 400 SEK/month • Kultur, media, design
Musicians, singers and composers
Compare with Opera singer
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 22:35 -
Conductor, classical music salary
Average salary: 47 400 SEK/month • Kultur, media, design
Musicians, singers and composers
Compare with Opera singer
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 19:40 -
Average salary: 47 400 SEK/month • Kultur, media, design
Musicians, singers and composers
Compare with Opera singer
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 23:12 -
Average salary: 51 000 SEK/month • Kultur, media, design
Directors and producers of film, theater etc.
Compare with Opera singer
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 03:07 -
Home staging consultant salary
Average salary: 39 900 SEK/month • Kultur, media, design
Interior designers, decorators and scenographers etc.
Compare with Opera singer
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 22:09 -
Average salary: 41 986 SEK/month • Kultur, media, design
Visual artists etc.
Compare with Opera singer
Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 16:29
