How much does a Popular musician make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Popular musician
Image that illustrates Popular musician

Popular musician

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 Popular musician

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

What does a Popular Musician do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Popular Musician works with performing, creating, and sometimes producing music within genres such as pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, or electronic music. Tasks may include rehearsals, live performances, studio recordings, songwriting, and collaboration with other musicians and technicians. Much of the work takes place on stage, in music studios, or during tours, which involves irregular hours and often travel. The work environment is characterized by creativity, a fast pace, and a strong focus on teamwork both on and off stage.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary for a Popular Musician has shown some variation over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 45,200 SEK per month, while it decreased slightly to 44 300 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the salary has increased again and now stands at 48 300 SEK, which is about a 9% increase from the previous year. This fluctuation can partly be explained by changes in demand for live music, digital revenue models, and the availability of gigs after the pandemic. At the same time, competition and the high proportion of freelancers influence salary levels, which can vary depending on experience, network, and genre.

Popular Musician Salary – Complete 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
  • Gender gap: Women earn 85% of what men do (men: 51,900 SEK, women: 44,200 SEK)
  • Regional differences: No specific data available

Education and Qualifications

To work as a Popular Musician, formal education is not required, but many choose to attend aesthetic high schools, folk high schools, or music colleges. Practical experience, networking, and personal artistry are highly valued when establishing oneself in the industry. Self-study, online courses, and continuous development of instrumental skills are also common.

  • Aesthetic high school program: 3 years
  • Folk high school music program: 1–2 years
  • Higher education (music college): 3–4 years
  • Courses/certificates: Sound engineering, music production, songwriting
  • Internships/traineeships: Commonly through gigs, tours, or assistant roles
  • Self-study and online courses: Important for staying current and developing style

Many Popular Musicians combine their performing with other roles in the industry, such as music teachers, producers, or songwriters. This versatility can both broaden career opportunities and contribute to increased financial stability.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Popular Musicians often have access to travel allowances, per diems during tours, and sometimes collective agreement-based insurances. Freelancers can also negotiate royalties and rights payments for recorded music. In some cases, support is offered for instrument purchases, studio sessions, and training through industry funds or employers.

Competition and Challenges

The competition in the profession of Popular Musician is high, as many aspire to break through in various genres of popular music. Continuous development and the ability to adapt to changing trends and audience demands are required. Uncertain income, irregular hours, and the need to maintain a strong personal brand are common challenges. Many musicians work freelance and handle marketing, bookings, and finances themselves. Besides musical skill, networking and entrepreneurship are crucial for long-term success. The industry is also affected by rapid digital transformation, which demands technical competence and flexibility.

Tips for Aspiring Popular Musicians

To succeed as a Popular Musician, it is good to be persistent and passionate, as the path to a stable career is often long and filled with challenges. Building a strong network and collaborating with others in the industry increases chances of getting gigs and new collaborations, which requires social skills and openness. A creative streak is important to stand out, but discipline and regular practice are also essential for technical development. Self-leadership and initiative are needed to manage one's own marketing and finances. Finally, being flexible and adaptable is valuable, as the industry changes rapidly and new opportunities can arise unexpectedly.

Key Facts about Popular Musicians

  • Salary range: 42,200–51,900 SEK/month
  • Average salary: 48 300 SEK/month
  • Gender difference: Women earn 85% of men's salaries
  • Work form: Freelance, project-based, and task-oriented
  • Demand: 620 available jobs within the profession

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years in the profession, Popular Musicians can develop into established artists, songwriters, or producers. Some choose to deepen their skills in pedagogy and work as music teachers or coaches. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast for musicians, singers, and composers, the job market is expected to be stable with unchanged demand over the next five years. However, recruitment difficulties and a high proportion of part-time workers or those leaving the profession are common. Those who are driven and seek opportunities in different areas of the music industry, such as production or teaching, have good prospects for a long-term career.

Common Questions about Popular Musicians

  • What is the average salary of a Popular Musician?
    - The average salary for a Popular Musician is 48 300 SEK per month.
  • What is the highest salary for a Popular Musician?
    - The highest salary is 51,900 SEK per month and belongs to a male private sector employee.
  • How big is the salary gap between men and women?
    - Women earn on average 85% of what men do within the profession.
  • Is formal education necessary to become a Popular Musician?
    - Formal education is not required, but many choose to attend high school, folk high schools, or music colleges.
  • What does the job market look like for Popular Musicians?
    - There are about 620 job openings in the profession, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What common benefits are available for Popular Musicians?
    - Common benefits include travel allowances, per diems, and royalties and rights payments.
  • What personal qualities are important for the profession?
    - Endurance, creativity, flexibility, and social skills are key qualities for success as a Popular Musician.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 18:34:51

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Popular musician 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 Popular musician 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
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

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 Popular musician has the SSYK code 2652, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Public Opinion

    Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    National Debt

    The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

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

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes

Explore more topics