How much does a Press photographer make

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Image that illustrates Press photographer

Press photographer

37 300 kr

Photographers

36 100 - 39 600 kr / month

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Press photographer

Average salary 37 300 kr
Males 39 500 kr
Females 0 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 10 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Press Photographer do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Press Photographer works on documenting news events, reports, and societal phenomena through images. The role involves quickly capturing moments and delivering images to newspapers, news agencies, or digital media. The work environment is often dynamic and can range from stressful emergency calls to longer reports requiring patience and creativity. Irregular working hours and travel are common, especially when covering major events on location.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary for a Press Photographer has shown a steady and stable development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,400 SEK per month, which increased to 37 000 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary was 37 300 SEK, representing a total increase of about 5% over three years. This trend reflects a somewhat increased demand for visual content in digital media and a continued need for experienced photographers in the news industry. Despite the digital transition, the profession has maintained its salary structure, although competition for permanent positions has increased. The salary increase is somewhat lower than in some other media professions, which can be explained by the industry's tight margins and a high proportion of freelance assignments.

Press Photographer Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 37 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 36,100 SEK/month (male), 37,100 SEK/month (female)
  • Highest salary: 39,600 SEK/month (male), 39,000 SEK/month (female)
  • Hourly wage (average): 224 SEK
  • Gender differences: Men earn an average of 39 500 SEK, specific figures for women are not available
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Education and Qualifications

The path to becoming a Press Photographer can vary, but a combination of formal education and practical experience is often essential. Many choose to study photography or journalism at university or folk high schools, while others build their skills through internships and freelance work. Creativity, technical skill, and the ability to work under pressure are key qualities.

  • Education: Photography or journalism, 1–3 years (university/folk high school)
  • Courses and certifications: Specialization in image editing and digital publishing
  • Internships: Recommended at editorial offices or media houses
  • Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of photography and image management
  • Self-study: Common via online courses and workshops

Building a strong network among journalists and editors can be crucial for securing assignments as a Press Photographer. Quick deliveries and reliability are highly valued in the industry, where competition for the most interesting jobs is fierce. Many successful photographers started with smaller assignments and built their reputation over time.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Press Photographers are often offered compensation for inconvenient working hours, travel allowances, and sometimes access to equipment such as cameras and computers. Benefits may vary depending on the employer, but health benefits and opportunities for skills development are also common.

Competition and Challenges

The profession as a Press Photographer is characterized by tough competition, especially for permanent positions within larger media companies. Many work as freelancers, which can mean uncertain income and the need for a broad network of contacts. Technological developments have lowered the barriers to working with images but have also increased competition from amateur photographers and automated image solutions. The ability to deliver unique, storytelling images under time pressure is critical for success. The industry's shift toward digital publishing also demands continuous skills development and adaptation to new workflows.

Tips for Aspiring Press Photographers

To succeed as a Press Photographer, it is beneficial to combine technical skills with curiosity and a strong sense of visual storytelling. Flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to different work environments are crucial, as is building a network within the media industry. Patience helps when waiting for the right moment, while initiative and drive facilitate covering unexpected news. Staying updated on technological advances in photography and image editing is also important. Good communication skills make it easier to collaborate with journalists and editors, and handling stressful situations professionally is a significant asset.

Key Facts about Press Photographer

  • Education level: Photography/journalism, 1–3 years
  • Work type: Freelance or employed at media companies
  • Number of job openings: 620 within the profession of photographers
  • Work environment: Irregular hours, varied workplaces

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years in the profession, a Press Photographer can advance to more specialized roles, such as picture editor or project manager for larger reports. Many also choose to broaden their skills toward moving images and multimedia production, which is in demand as digital media grows. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, there is no detailed assessment for the profession, but competition for permanent positions remains. Job opportunities are relatively good within the field, with 620 job openings noted. Flexibility, specialization, and a strong network can increase chances of secure employment or attractive freelance assignments.

Frequently Asked Questions about Press Photographer

  • What is the average salary of a Press Photographer?
    - The average salary is 37 300 SEK per month.
  • What is the highest salary for a Press Photographer?
    - The highest salary is 39,600 SEK per month for men and 39,000 SEK for women.
  • What education is required to become a Press Photographer?
    - Typically, education in photography or journalism, 1–3 years.
  • What are the future prospects for a Press Photographer?
    - No forecasts are available, but there are approximately 620 job openings within the profession.
  • What are the gender differences in salaries for a Press Photographer?
    - Men earn an average of 39 500 SEK, specific figures for women are not available.
  • What is the typical hourly wage for a Press Photographer?
    - The hourly wage averages at 224 SEK.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 19:19:39

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Press photographer is 39600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 39000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Press photographer is 36100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 37100 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 33800 kr 34200 kr
35-44 41200 kr 41700 kr
45-54 42400 kr 43800 kr
55-64 45500 kr 47900 kr
Snitt 36500 kr 37300 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 Press photographer has the SSYK code 3431, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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