How much does a Sword-eater make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Sword-eater

Sword-eater

35 200 kr

Other professions in culture and entertainment

35 200 - 35 300 kr / month

Women earn 100% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Sword-eater

Average salary 35 200 kr
Males 35 200 kr
Females 35 300 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 9 Vacant jobs ->

What does a sword swallower do? – Tasks and work environment

A sword swallower works to entertain an audience by performing the spectacular and risky act of inserting a sword into the throat. The profession belongs to the broad group of other occupations within culture and entertainment, mainly appearing at circuses, variety shows, festivals, and special events. The work environment is characterized by variation, travel, and performances at different locations, often in settings with many people, noise, and lights. Safety, precision, and physical control are crucial factors during each performance, as the profession involves real risks. Many sword swallowers work as self-employed or freelancers, which means responsibility for marketing and bookings in addition to the stage performance.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for sword swallowers has shown a slight downward trend. In 2022, the average salary was 36,200 SEK per month, decreasing to 36 000 SEK in 2023 and further down to 35,200 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total decrease of about 5.5 percent over the period. A possible explanation for this development is increased competition from other entertainment forms and digital events, which may have affected demand for traditional variety artists. However, the salary level has stabilized over the past year, and the pay gap between genders is essentially negligible. The market for sword swallowers is limited, but the specialized skills and risk-taking mean that salaries still remain above many other creative professions.

Sword swallower salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 35,200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 35,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 35,300 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 212 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn the same as men
  • Regional differences: No significant differences reported

Education and qualifications

There is no formal educational path to become a sword swallower, as the profession is built on practical skills often learned through master-apprentice models or self-study. Most start with basic circus training or performing arts and then deepen their skills through training, supervision, and careful safety knowledge. Physical control, anatomy, and risk assessment are central qualifications.

  • Performing arts or circus school: 1–3 years (voluntary, not mandatory)
  • Internship with an established sword swallower: Highly recommended
  • Self-study and continuous practice: Necessary for skill development
  • Good physical and mental health: A basic requirement
  • First aid certification: For increased safety

Many sword swallowers combine their artistry with other circus disciplines or performing arts to broaden their range and increase their booking frequency. It is common to have multiple specialties to stand out in a competitive market.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Benefits for sword swallowers often include travel allowances, per diems during tours, free costumes or stage props, and access to rehearsal spaces. Some employers offer accident insurance, but many freelance artists are responsible for their own insurance coverage. Bonuses or extra payments sometimes occur for particularly risky performances.

Competition and challenges

The profession of sword swallowing is niche, and competition for assignments is fierce, especially at larger events and festivals. Since the number of practitioners is limited but demand is relatively low, performers need to be skilled at marketing themselves and adapting their acts to different audiences. Safety risks and physical strain pose additional challenges, as does the need for continuous skill development and staying current in a rapidly changing entertainment industry. Uncertain employment forms and fluctuating workload are common for most in the profession.

Tips for those who want to become a sword swallower

To succeed as a sword swallower, it is good to have a strong desire to train and develop, as endurance is required to master the technique and build a safe routine. Precision is crucial, as each performance involves risk and requires full control over body and mind. Creativity helps to create unique acts that capture the audience's interest and increase bookings. Being communicative and social facilitates marketing and contact with organizers, which is important for gaining more assignments. Courage is an obvious trait, as the work involves challenging both physical and mental limits. Finally, it is important to be open to feedback and constantly seek to improve both technique and stage presence.

Key facts about sword swallowers

  • Education level: No formal education required
  • Work environment: Circus, festivals, and events
  • Common employment type: Freelance or self-employed
  • Demand: Limited but stable within the entertainment industry
  • Special skills: Physical control and safety awareness

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a sword swallower, many practitioners can expand their work scope and develop their own shows, combine sword swallowing with other performing arts, or become instructors in circus training. There are also opportunities to work as an artist agent, booker, or event organizer within entertainment. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the future outlook for this group is relatively stable, with a total of 620 job openings reported in Sweden. Digitalization and new media formats may influence demand, but traditional variety artists continue to be sought after at live events.

Frequently asked questions about sword swallowers

  • What does a sword swallower earn?
    - A sword swallower has an average salary of 35,200 SEK per month.
  • How do gender differences look within the profession?
    - Women and men earn approximately the same; women 35,300 SEK, men 35,200 SEK.
  • What is required to become a sword swallower?
    - Practical training, supervision, and good safety awareness are essential. No formal education is required.
  • What does the job market look like for sword swallowers?
    - The profession is niche with limited opportunities, but there are approximately 620 job openings within the trade.
  • What is the highest salary for a sword swallower?
    - The highest salary is 35,300 SEK, held by a woman employed privately.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - No significant regional differences have been reported for sword swallowers.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Endurance, precision, courage, and creativity are important qualities for success.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 08:36:46

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Sword-eater is 35300 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 35200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Sword-eater is 35200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 35300 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 32700 kr
Snitt 100% 34900 kr 35200 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 Sword-eater has the SSYK code 3439, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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