How much does a Stage master make

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Stage master

38 600 kr

Lighting, sound and stage technicians

33 600 - 43 700 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Stage master

Average salary 38 600 kr
Males 38 800 kr
Females 37 300 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 6 Vacant jobs ->

What does a stage manager do? – Tasks and work environment

A stage manager has overall responsibility for the technical functions of the stage during theater performances, concerts, and other events. Tasks include leading and coordinating technical staff, ensuring that lighting, sound, and scenery operate according to production requirements, as well as planning and organizing scene changes and rehearsals. The role often involves close collaboration with directors, set designers, and other technical personnel. The work environment is dynamic and can vary from theater houses to arenas and temporary outdoor stages, where quick decision-making and problem-solving skills are crucial.

Salary development over time

Salaries for stage managers have shown a steady upward trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 35,100 SEK per month, increasing to 35 500 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 38 600 SEK, representing a total increase of approximately 10% over three years. This development reflects an increased demand for experienced stage managers as the event and cultural industries recover from periods of restrictions. Wage increases can also be explained by more complex technical requirements and leadership responsibilities, which raise the value of the profession’s skill profile.

Stage manager salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 38 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 33,600 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 43,700 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 232 SEK
  • Average salary for men: 38 800 SEK/month
  • Average salary for women: 37 300 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 96% of what men do

Education and qualifications

To work as a stage manager, a post-secondary education in stage or event technology is usually required, often supplemented with practical experience from theater or event productions. Many start as technical staff and advance to the stage manager role through internal training and mentorship. Formal education can vary in length and focus, but employers value both technical competence and leadership skills.

  • Post-secondary education: Stage or event technology, typically 1–3 years
  • Internship: Often mandatory during education
  • Courses/certifications: For example, in work environment and safety
  • Prerequisites: High school diploma, preferably with a technical focus
  • Career path: Common to start as technical staff and advance internally

Stage managers are often the first on site and the last to leave during a production. The role requires a unique blend of technical knowledge and the ability to handle rapid changes, making the profession both challenging and varied.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Stage managers often have access to benefits such as overtime pay for evening and weekend work, wellness allowances, and sometimes extra vacation days. Some employers also offer training support, work clothing, and insurance covering accidents and illness. Compensation for overtime and work during particularly intense periods is common.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a stage manager can be tough, especially within larger cultural institutions and at major events. Challenges in the profession include irregular working hours, high pace, and the need for continuous technical updates. Additionally, leadership responsibilities involve managing personnel and safety issues, which demand strong communication and flexibility. The industry is heavily influenced by economic conditions and seasonal variations, which can lead to periods of short-term assignments or intensive work periods.

Tips for aspiring stage managers

To succeed as a stage manager, it is beneficial to be technically curious and have good collaboration skills with both technicians and artistic teams. Strong organizational skills help in planning and managing quick scene changes, while stress resilience is crucial when solving unexpected problems during productions. Being communicative facilitates leadership and improves cooperation with different professional groups. Engagement in industry organizations or networks provides valuable contacts and insights into new technical solutions. Finally, being open to ongoing education is important, as new technologies and safety requirements continuously change the profession’s conditions.

Key facts about stage managers

  • Salary range: 33,600–43,700 SEK/month
  • Education level: Post-secondary education (1–3 years)
  • Work environment: Theater, arena, events
  • Typical employment: Full-time with irregular hours
  • Job openings in the profession: 620

Career paths and outlook

After three to five years as a stage manager, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as technical director, production manager, or project leader in larger events and theater productions. Some choose to specialize in lighting, sound, or set design, while others move into training or consulting roles within stage technology. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts for lighting, sound, and stage technicians, no precise outlook can be given due to limited data, but with 620 job openings in the group, there is some demand, especially in metropolitan areas and large events. However, the industry is sensitive to economic cycles and political investments in the cultural sector, which can influence the number of available positions over time.

Frequently asked questions about stage managers

  • What is the average salary of a stage manager?
    - A stage manager has an average salary of 38 600 SEK per month.
  • What is the salary range for stage managers?
    - Salaries range from 33,600 SEK to 43,700 SEK per month depending on experience and workplace.
  • Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
    - Yes, women earn 37 300 SEK on average, which is 96% of men's salary of 38 800 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a stage manager?
    - Post-secondary education in stage or event technology, often 1–3 years, plus practical experience.
  • What is the job market like for stage managers?
    - There are 620 job openings within the profession of lighting, sound, and stage technology.
  • What personal qualities are important for a stage manager?
    - Organizational skills, stress tolerance, and good communication are central qualities.
  • How is the profession affected by economic cycles?
    - The profession is vulnerable to economic fluctuations and political decisions regarding the cultural sector.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-07 23:41:58

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Stage master is 43700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 40300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Stage master is 33600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 36100 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 32600 kr 33800 kr
35-44 38000 kr 38900 kr
55-64 42400 kr 43100 kr
Snitt 96% 37500 kr 38600 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 Stage master has the SSYK code 3522, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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