- Salary statistics
- Stonemason
Stonemason
37 700 - 38 000 kr / month
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Stonemason
What does a stonemason do? – Tasks and working environment
A stonemason works with processing and shaping natural stone for various purposes, such as building details, gravestones, artworks, or restoring cultural heritage sites. The profession involves both traditional craftsmanship and the use of modern machinery for sawing, grinding, and polishing stone materials. The work is often performed outdoors or in specialized workshops, where the environment can be noisy and dusty. Protective equipment is a natural part of daily work, and both physical strength and great precision are required for success in the profession.
Salary development over time
The salary for stonemasons has shown a clear increase in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,500 SEK per month, which increased slightly to 33 800 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the salary has taken a larger step upward and now stands at 38 000 SEK per month, representing an increase of approximately 12.4% over three years. This positive trend can be partly explained by increased demand for specialized craftsmanship and the fact that many experienced professionals are approaching retirement age, creating a greater need for new recruits. Additionally, the general wage development within the construction and industrial sectors has contributed to raising salary levels for stonemasons. Despite variations between employers and regions, there is a general improvement in the economic conditions of the profession.
Stonemason salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 38 000 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data not available, but variation occurs based on experience and location
- Hourly wage: 228 SEK/hour (based on 166 hours/month)
- Gender differences: Men earn 38 300 SEK, data on women is not available
- Regional differences: Salary levels may vary between counties and employers
Education and qualifications
To work as a stonemason, a vocational high school education within construction or craftsmanship is usually required, often supplemented with practical training. Knowledge of material science, reading drawings, and machinery operation are central parts of the education. The industry highly values experience, and many learn the trade through an apprenticeship period. Some choose to further their education through specialized courses or certifications to broaden their skills and increase employability.
- High school education: Construction and civil engineering program, specializing in stone or similar (3 years)
- Apprenticeship: Common, often 1–2 years
- Special courses/certifications: Possible in stone processing and safety
- Practical training: Periods of internship or traineeships provide valuable experience
- Prerequisites: Good physical condition, technical interest, and attention to detail
A stonemason's work has a strong connection to cultural heritage and history. Many projects involve restoring old buildings or monuments, which requires both a sense of tradition and innovation in material choices and techniques.
Common benefits and compensations
Stonemasons are often covered by collective agreements that provide holiday pay, occupational pensions, and insurance. Other benefits can include work clothing, wellness allowances, and sometimes opportunities for skills development through courses or training paid for by the employer. Some employers also offer bonuses for particularly successful projects or long-term employment.
Competition and challenges
The profession of stonemason is relatively niche, and competition for jobs can vary depending on region and economic conditions. Since there are a limited number of training places and employers, initiative and flexibility are often required to find employment. The industry is also influenced by the construction cycle and demand for the restoration of cultural sites. Automation and new machinery may change work tasks, but traditional craftsmanship remains highly valued for specialized projects. Challenges may also include physically demanding environments and the need for continuous skills development.
Tips for those wanting to become a stonemason
To succeed as a stonemason, it is good to have a genuine interest in craftsmanship and materials. Attention to detail is crucial, as small mistakes can affect the result on expensive materials, and good physical condition facilitates the physically demanding work. Curiosity and willingness to learn new techniques are valuable qualities, especially as the industry evolves with new machinery and methods. Creativity can open doors to more artistic assignments, while patience helps manage long and detailed projects. Being solution-oriented and having good teamwork skills are also important, since the work is often performed in teams or in collaboration with other construction and restoration specialists.
Key facts about stonemasons
- Education level: High school education with possible apprenticeship period
- Work environment: Workshop and outdoors, often noisy and dusty
- Typical employment: Full-time, sometimes project-based
- Demand: 1,437 available jobs in 2024
- Special skills: Material knowledge and machinery operation
Career paths and future prospects
After gaining a few years of experience, opportunities may exist to specialize in areas such as restoration of historic buildings, artistic stone processing, or supervisory roles. Some choose to start their own business and take on assignments in contracting or artistic decoration. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, no specific assessment is made for stonemasons due to limited statistical data, but the number of available jobs indicates stable demand. With the right skills and a willingness to develop, there are good opportunities for a long and diverse career in the field.
Frequently asked questions about stonemasons
- What does a stonemason earn?
- A stonemason has an average salary of 38 000 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience and region. - How does one become a stonemason?
- The most common path is to attend the construction and civil engineering program at high school with a specialization in stone, supplemented with an apprenticeship period and practical training. - What tasks does a stonemason perform?
- The tasks include processing natural stone, creating building details, restoration work, and artistic projects. - Are there many job opportunities for stonemasons?
- In 2024, there were 1,437 available jobs within the profession, indicating good demand. - What personal qualities are important for a stonemason?
- Attention to detail, good physical condition, patience, and creativity are important qualities for success in the profession. - What benefits are common in the profession?
- Common benefits include holiday pay, occupational pension, work clothing, and sometimes wellness allowances.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 37700 kr | 38000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 37700 kr | 38000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 37700 kr | 38000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 38100 kr | 38300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 38100 kr | 38300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 38100 kr | 38300 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 Stonemason has the SSYK code 8116, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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