- Salary statistics
- Chimney sweep
Chimney sweep
35 055 - 35 304 kr / month
Sanering och renhållning
Salary progression Chimney sweep
What does a chimney sweep do? – Tasks and work environment
A chimney sweep primarily works with cleaning and inspecting chimneys, fireplaces, and ventilation systems in buildings. Tasks include both practical maintenance and preventive fire safety measures, where the chimney sweep ensures that installations and flues are safe and functioning correctly. The profession often involves working at heights and in confined spaces, requiring good physical condition and precision. Chimney sweeps also communicate with property owners, providing advice on heating, fire safety, and energy efficiency.
Salary development over time
Chimney sweeps have experienced stable salary growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 34,873 SEK per month, increasing to 35 157 SEK in 2023. For 2024, the average salary has reached 35 304 SEK. This represents a total increase of about 1.2% over three years, which can be seen as a relatively modest but steady increase. The development reflects a job market with steady demand, with the profession maintaining stable but not rapidly rising wages. This is often due to the profession being a niche service with specific educational and practical skill requirements, limited by structural factors such as property portfolios and legal regulations.
Chimney sweep salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 35 304 SEK/month
- Minimum/Maximum salary: No available data
- Hourly wage: 212 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: No available data
- Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on the region, but detailed figures are lacking
Education and qualifications
To work as a chimney sweep, a high school education in property or ventilation is usually required, followed by an apprenticeship or company-based training. The industry has clear requirements for both theoretical and practical competence, meaning certifications and approved training are important for employment. Practical training is a natural part of the education pathway and provides valuable experience in work environment and safety.
- Education: High school, preferably with specialization in property or ventilation
- Apprenticeship: Practical training or traineeship with an authorized chimney sweep company, often 1–2 years
- Certificates: Industry-specific courses and certifications may be required
- Prerequisites: Good physical condition and ability to work at heights
- Tips: Contact local chimney sweep companies for internships during training
Many chimney sweeps have opportunities to work with energy efficiency and advice on environmentally friendly heating, making the profession both varied and socially important. The close contact with property owners and technical installations means no two workdays are the same.
Common benefits and compensations
Chimney sweeps often have access to work clothing, protective equipment, and wellness allowances. Additional benefits may include company phones, further training, and compensation for unsociable working hours. In some cases, options such as company cars and bonuses based on work effort or number of tasks performed are also offered.
Competition and challenges
The competition within the chimney sweep profession is moderate, mainly because the supply of trained chimney sweeps is limited and demand is driven by legal requirements for fire safety. Challenges often involve physical work environments, such as working on roofs and in confined spaces, requiring good safety awareness. Technological changes in construction and ventilation can also mean that chimney sweeps need to update their skills to meet new requirements. Since the profession is relatively niche, it can sometimes be difficult to find available positions in smaller regions, but nationally, the job market remains stable.
Tips for those interested in becoming a chimney sweep
To succeed as a chimney sweep, it’s good to be both meticulous and service-minded, as the work requires precision and regular contact with customers. Good physical fitness is important because the work environment often involves heights and confined spaces. Showing responsibility and safety awareness is crucial, especially regarding fire safety and working with technical installations. Flexibility helps, as workdays can vary and unexpected assignments occur. Additionally, being curious about technical solutions and open to further education is an advantage, as the industry evolves with new regulations and techniques. Social skills and the ability to communicate clearly are valued by employers and clients alike.
Key facts about Chimney Sweeps
- Education level: High school with practical/apprenticeship period
- Work environment: Heights, confined spaces, varied environments
- Employment type: Usually permanent employment with chimney sweep companies
- Demand: Stable, approximately 123 available jobs in the profession (May 2024)
- Special skills: Fire safety, ventilation, energy and environmental advice
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a chimney sweep can advance to supervisory roles, such as team leader or responsible for fire safety inspections. There are also opportunities to specialize in energy efficiency or start their own business within the chimney sweeping industry. The Swedish Employment Service's forecasts show no exact assessment due to limited data, but the number of available jobs is stable, and demand is expected to remain good within the cleaning and maintenance sector. Technological advances and increased environmental requirements may create new niches for chimney sweeps with further training.
Frequently asked questions about Chimney Sweeps
- What does a Chimney Sweep earn per month?
- A chimney sweep has an average salary of 35 304 SEK per month according to 2024 statistics. - How does a Chimney Sweep's salary compare to other trades?
- A chimney sweep's salary is on par with or slightly above the average for trades within property services. - What education is required to become a chimney sweep?
- High school education in property or ventilation, along with an apprenticeship or company-based training, is usually required. - Are there many job opportunities for chimney sweeps?
- In May 2024, there were 123 available jobs within the profession, indicating a stable demand. - What does the work environment for a chimney sweep involve?
- The work environment often involves working on roofs, in confined spaces, and with some exposure to soot and dust. - Can a chimney sweep pursue further education?
- There are good opportunities for further training in fire safety, ventilation, and energy efficiency. - What are the future prospects for chimney sweeps?
- No exact forecasts are available, but the job market is considered stable due to legal requirements for fire safety.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 31700 kr | 31700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 33900 kr | 34000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 39100 kr | 39600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 33900 kr | 33900 kr | |
| Snitt | 35200 kr | 35300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 31700 kr | 31700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 33900 kr | 34000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 39100 kr | 39600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 33900 kr | 33900 kr | |
| Snitt | 35200 kr | 35300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 30700 kr | 30700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 34100 kr | 34200 kr | |
| 45-54 | 39100 kr | 39600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 33900 kr | 33900 kr | |
| Snitt | 35200 kr | 35400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 30700 kr | 30700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 34100 kr | 34200 kr | |
| 45-54 | 39100 kr | 39600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 33900 kr | 33900 kr | |
| Snitt | 35200 kr | 35400 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 Chimney sweep has the SSYK code 7133, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
-
Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest
Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35 -
The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden
Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00