What does a city antiquarian do? – Tasks and work environment
A city antiquarian works to preserve, care for, and develop the cultural heritage within a municipality or city. Tasks include advising on planning and building permits, inventory of cultural environments, handling referrals, and coordinating between municipal and government agencies. The role often involves participating in investigations, writing opinions, and contributing to projects related to urban development, building conservation, and cultural environment issues. The work is primarily office-based, but site visits and meetings in the city environment are common. Collaboration with other professionals in urban planning and community development is a central part of the work environment.
Salary development over time
The salary of a city antiquarian has shown a steady increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,700 SEK per month, which increased to 37 600 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary continues to rise and is now 38 900 SEK per month. This represents a total salary increase of just over 6% during this period, slightly above the general salary level for similar professions within the cultural sector. Factors driving this development include increased demand for specialist competence in cultural heritage preservation, higher educational requirements, and a greater focus on sustainable urban development. Salary growth for city antiquarians may also be affected by regional differences and employer sector, with government jobs sometimes offering higher salary ranges for highly qualified candidates.
City antiquarian salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 38 900 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 26,600 SEK/month (woman, public sector, pre-secondary education)
- Highest salary: 47,000 SEK/month (man, public sector, doctoral degree)
- Hourly wage: 234 SEK
- Women: 38 300 SEK/month (96% of men's salary)
- Men: 40 100 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Salary variations occur depending on location and sector
Education and qualifications
To work as a city antiquarian, a university degree in cultural heritage, archaeology, art history, building conservation, or similar fields is usually required. Many employers also seek experience in investigations, knowledge of planning and building laws, and the ability to work across sectors within urban development. Practical experience from cultural environment work, internships, or traineeships in the public sector can be advantageous.
- Bachelor's degree: 3 years in cultural heritage, archaeology, art history, or building conservation
- Master's degree: 1–2 years, often advantageous for qualified positions
- Courses and certifications: Building conservation, planning and building laws, GIS systems
- Internship/traineeship: Experience from municipality, county administrative board, or museum recommended
- Prerequisites: Good Swedish, analytical skills, interest in cultural environments
Many city antiquarians have the opportunity to influence the urban landscape in the long term and help shape future cultural environments. This makes the profession particularly attractive for those who want to combine community engagement with cultural heritage.
Common benefits and compensations
City antiquarians are often offered benefits such as extra vacation days, wellness allowances, professional development, and opportunities for remote work. In some cases, pension contributions beyond statutory levels and work tools like mobile phones and computers are included. Occupational pensions and insurance packages are standard within municipal and government sectors.
Competition and challenges
The profession of city antiquarian is characterized by competition for positions, especially in larger cities where many seek work in cultural heritage. The supply of positions is limited, and recruitment often occurs infrequently, making relevant education and experience important. At the same time, digitalization and increased demands for cross-sector collaboration are changing the role. Challenges may also include limited resources, political influence on cultural heritage issues, and the need to balance preservation with urban development demands. For flexible individuals who can work broadly, there are good opportunities to establish oneself in the profession.
Tips for aspiring city antiquarians
To succeed as a city antiquarian, it is beneficial to combine thoroughness with a genuine interest in cultural history and urban planning. Building broad competence in both theory and practice provides a competitive edge, especially with experience from municipal or government work. Good collaboration skills are essential, as the role often involves interaction with various stakeholders, while analytical ability helps in investigations and assessments. Being communicative and able to express oneself well orally and in writing facilitates dialogues with colleagues and the public. Lastly, initiative and independence are important qualities for leading projects and influencing urban development sustainably.
Key facts about city antiquarians
- Salary range: 26,600–47,000 SEK/month
- Gender salary gap: Women earn 96% of what men do
- Education level: Bachelor's degree, often supplemented with a master's
- Work environment: Office, site visits, collaboration with various actors
- Available jobs in the profession: 620 (2024)
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years of experience, a city antiquarian can advance to more qualified roles such as project manager for larger cultural heritage projects, head of a cultural environment unit, or advisor within regional or national administration. There are also opportunities to specialize in areas such as building conservation, archaeology, or urban planning. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, it is difficult to give an exact assessment for city antiquarians, as the profession is part of a broader group with varying job availability depending on region and sector. Currently, within the professions of museum curators and others, there are 620 available jobs, indicating a certain demand, especially for those with the right education and specialized skills. Future outlooks are influenced by societal focus on sustainability and cultural heritage, but recruitment situations can change rapidly based on political priorities and economic conditions.
Frequently asked questions about city antiquarians
- What does a city antiquarian earn?
- A city antiquarian has an average salary of 38 900 SEK per month. The salary range varies from 26,600 SEK to 47,000 SEK depending on experience, education, and sector.
- What education is required to become a city antiquarian?
- Usually, a bachelor's degree in cultural heritage, archaeology, or similar, often supplemented with a master's degree or relevant courses.
- Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn an average of 38 300 SEK per month, which corresponds to 96% of men's average salary of 40 100 SEK.
- What is the job market like for city antiquarians?
- There are 620 available jobs within the professions of museum curators and others, but competition for positions can be high and availability varies regionally.
- What are the job responsibilities of a city antiquarian?
- Common tasks include advising on building permits, inventory of cultural environments, writing opinions, and participating in urban development projects.
- What benefits are offered to city antiquarians?
- Benefits include extra vacation days, wellness allowances, occupational pension, and opportunities for professional development.
- What experience is needed for a higher salary?
- Higher salaries are often linked to longer experience, further education, and work within the public sector, where salaries may be higher for specialists.
