Image that illustrates Reviewer

Reviewer

44 800 kr

Journalists etc.

43 900 - 51 000 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Reviewer

Average salary 44 800 kr
Males 45 200 kr
Females 44 400 kr

What does a Critic do? – Tasks and work environment

A Critic works with reviewing, analyzing, and assessing cultural and media works such as books, films, theater performances, music, or art exhibitions. The tasks involve delving into current works, compiling well-founded opinions, and communicating these to a broad audience through articles, features, or digital platforms. Critics often work within editorial environments, but freelance assignments and remote work are also common. The profession requires strong language skills, an analytical eye, and the ability to work under time pressure, especially during premieres or book launches when deadlines are tight.

Salary development over time

The salary for Critics has developed relatively steadily in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK per month, which decreased slightly to 42 500 SEK in 2023. However, in 2024, there was a significant increase to 44 800 SEK, corresponding to an approximate 5.4% increase from the previous year. This rise can partly be explained by increased demand for quality cultural journalism and a greater focus on digital publishing, which has broadened the job market. The salary trend also indicates that competition for experienced and prominent Critics has intensified as more media outlets invest in high-quality editorial content.

Critic salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 44 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 43,900 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 51,000 SEK/month (male, public sector, post-secondary education of 3 years or more)
  • Highest salary (female): 48,500 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 269 SEK
  • Men: 45 200 SEK/month
  • Women: 44 400 SEK/month (98% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Data unavailable

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a Critic usually involves a university degree in journalism, literature, film studies, or related cultural subjects. Practical experience in writing and publishing is crucial, as well as a broad cultural interest and good analytical skills. Many Critics build their competence through internships, freelance work, and networking within the cultural and media sectors.

  • University degree: Journalism, literature, or similar (3–4 years)
  • Courses: Specialized courses in cultural critique, media analysis, or film studies
  • Internship: Experience from editorial environments or freelance work
  • Prerequisites: Very good language skills and analytical ability
  • Self-study: Writing, blogging, and active participation in cultural life

Many Critics become experts within narrow niches and build strong personal brands through long-term networking and visibility in the industry. Specializing in areas such as film, literature, or music can open doors to panel assignments, jury work, and international collaborations.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Critics are often offered benefits such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and access to cultural premieres or exclusive events. Other common compensations include wellness allowances, occupational pensions, and sometimes educational support to enhance skills in areas like digital publishing tools or language development.

Competition and challenges

The profession of Critic is characterized by high competition, especially for permanent positions at larger cultural and media organizations. Many qualified candidates with similar educational backgrounds make portfolio and networking crucial in recruitment. Digitalization and changing consumption habits have also necessitated adaptation to new formats and platforms. Freelance work is common and can involve financial uncertainty. Staying updated on industry trends and developing a personal voice are essential for long-term success.

Tips for aspiring Critics

To succeed as a Critic, it is beneficial to combine curiosity with strong analytical skills and a passionate engagement with culture. Building a broad network and actively participating in cultural activities provide valuable insights and publishing opportunities. Being self-motivated and disciplined is helpful, especially in freelance work with self-imposed deadlines. Clear and creative writing skills are crucial to stand out in a competitive market. Developing a personal style and specializing in a specific area can also be advantageous. Finally, humility and the ability to accept constructive criticism are important traits, as the profession often involves public responses to one’s work.

Key facts about a Critic

  • Educational level: University degree in journalism or cultural studies
  • Work environment: Editorial office, remote, or freelance
  • Typical employment: Permanent or freelance assignments
  • Demand: 620 available jobs within the journalist profession
  • Special skills: Analytical ability and linguistic proficiency

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years as a Critic, there are opportunities to advance to more specialized roles such as culture editor, editor-in-chief, or expert commentator in their field. Many also choose to diversify into other journalistic roles or work in communication and PR within the cultural sector. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, no specific assessment is made for the Critic profession due to limited data, but within the journalist sector, there are 620 available jobs, indicating some demand. Digitalization and new media formats are expected to continue influencing the profession’s development, and those who are flexible and eager to develop have good prospects for a long and varied career.

Frequently asked questions about Critics

  • What does a Critic earn?
    - A Critic has an average salary of 44 800 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, men earn 45 200 SEK and women 44 400 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a Critic?
    - Usually, a university degree in journalism, literature, or similar fields is required.
  • What is the job market like for Critics?
    - There are 620 available jobs within the journalist profession, but competition is high.
  • What are the most common tasks for a Critic?
    - Reviewing, analyzing, and writing about cultural works such as books, movies, music, and theater.
  • What is the hourly wage for a Critic?
    - The hourly wage is 269 SEK.
  • What career opportunities are available for a Critic?
    - Opportunities include becoming a culture editor, editor-in-chief, or working in communication and PR.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Reviewer is 51000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 48500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Reviewer is 43900 kr. Both men and women in this profession have the same lowest salary and work in the Multiple sectors.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 31500 kr 34000 kr
25-34 96% 38400 kr 40100 kr
35-44 102% 45400 kr 46500 kr
45-54 104% 45600 kr 46400 kr
55-64 97% 47400 kr 48600 kr
Snitt 98% 43500 kr 44800 kr
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 Reviewer has the SSYK code 2642, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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