- Salary statistics
- Piano builder
Piano builder
30 400 - 30 900 kr / month
Hantverksyrken
Salary progression Piano builder
What does a piano builder do? – Tasks and work environment
Piano builders are specialists in musical instrument manufacturing with a focus on pianos. Their tasks include building, repairing, adjusting, and maintaining pianos to ensure optimal sound quality and playability. The profession requires precision and good manual skills in a workshop environment often well-lit and with stable temperatures to handle delicate wood and metal components.
Salary development over time
The salary for piano builders has shown a slight downward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 34,382 SEK per month, then decreased to 34 662 SEK 2023 and further to 30 900 SEK in 2024. This decline may be due to changes in demand within the musical instrument industry or variations in the number of professionals in the field. Despite this, the salary remains relatively stable and reflects the specialized nature and craftsmanship skills of the profession. Since piano builders often work in small companies or as self-employed, their income can be affected by market fluctuations and regional differences. Education level and experience also influence salary development, with more experienced builders likely earning higher compensation.
The piano building profession combines traditional craftsmanship with technical precision, which often leads practitioners to develop a deep understanding of both mechanics and music.
Piano builder salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 30 900 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data unavailable
- Hourly rate: 186 SEK/hour (based on 166 working hours/month)
- Gender differences: Data for men and women unavailable
- Regional differences: Information unavailable
Education and qualifications
The educational path for piano builders is often vocational and practical, focusing on musical instruments and woodwork. Formal education can be supplemented with apprenticeships or internships to acquire specialized skills in piano construction and repair.
- Formal qualifications: Vocational training in musical instrument manufacturing or carpentry, often 1–3 years
- Certifications/courses: Specialized courses in piano technique and repair
- Internships/traineeships: Apprenticeships with established piano builders are common
- Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of woodworking and mechanics
- Self-study/online: Knowledge of piano construction can be deepened through literature and instructional materials
- Tips for choosing: Practical interest and patience are important factors for success
Common benefits and compensations
Piano builders are often offered benefits such as collective pension schemes, holiday pay, and sometimes wellness allowances. Compensation can vary depending on employment type, where permanent employees have more secure conditions, while self-employed individuals may experience greater financial variability. Some workplaces also provide tools and materials as part of employment.
Competition and challenges
The piano building profession is relatively niche, and competition can be limited, but demand is influenced by the popularity of musical instruments and economic factors. Challenges include the need for high precision and patience, as well as staying updated with technological innovations in instrument manufacturing. The profession can also involve periods of varying workload depending on the season and market development.
Tips for those wanting to become a piano builder
To succeed as a piano builder, having a strong interest in both music and craftsmanship is beneficial. Attention to detail is crucial to ensure high quality work, so developing good skills early on is important. Patience is essential for performing complex and time-consuming tasks without losing focus. Good problem-solving skills are also helpful when unexpected technical challenges arise. Being curious and willing to learn new techniques contributes to continuously improving skills and adapting to industry requirements.
Key facts about piano builders
- Average salary: 30 900 SEK/month
- Hourly rate: 186 SEK/hour
- Education level: Vocational training in musical instrument manufacturing or carpentry
- Work environment: Workshop environment focused on precision and craftsmanship
- Demand: 341 job openings within the profession according to current database
Career paths and future prospects
After 3–5 years in the profession, a piano builder can advance to become a specialist in repair or adjustment of pianos, or choose to become self-employed. There are also opportunities to work as an instructor or consultant in instrument care. The future outlook is considered stable, with steady demand for qualified craftsmen in the musical instrument sector, although the market is relatively small. Data from the Employment Service shows 341 job openings within this profession, indicating opportunities for employment for skilled practitioners.
Frequently asked questions about piano builders
- What does a piano builder earn?
- The average salary is approximately 30 900 SEK per month with an hourly rate of 186 SEK. - What education is required to become a piano builder?
- A vocational training in musical instrument manufacturing or carpentry, often combined with apprenticeships. - What is the work environment like for a piano builder?
- Work is mainly conducted in workshop environments focused on precision and craftsmanship. - Are there regional differences in salary for piano builders?
- Limited data is available, but regional differences may occur depending on demand. - What are the future prospects for piano builders?
- Stable demand with approximately 341 job openings within the profession according to current data. - Is it difficult to find a job as a piano builder?
- The profession is niche, but with specialized skills, good opportunities exist. - What personal qualities are important?
- Attention to detail, patience, and problem-solving skills are central qualities.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30400 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30400 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30400 kr | 30900 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 Piano builder has the SSYK code 7319, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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