How much does a Theater director, with chief hierarchy make

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  2. Theater director, with chief hierarchy

Theater director, with chief hierarchy

92 100 kr

Chief executive officers etc.

59 400 - 117 000 kr / month

Women earn 104% of what men do.

Chefer & ledare

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Theater director, with chief hierarchy

Average salary 92 100 kr
Males 91 400 kr
Females 95 500 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 21 Vacant jobs ->

What does a theater director in a managerial position do? – Tasks and work environment

A theater director with managerial responsibility has overall accountability for a theater’s artistic and financial operations. The role includes leading staff, budget management, strategic planning and development of repertoire, as well as collaborating with other cultural institutions and external partners. The work environment is often characterized by a fast pace, many stakeholders, and demands for both creativity and business acumen. A theater director is at the top of the management structure and usually reports to a board or principal, while the management team coordinates the daily operations and long-term goals of the organization.

Salary development over time

Salaries for theater directors with managerial responsibility have shown some variation in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 90,100 SEK per month. In 2023, it decreased slightly to 87 800 SEK, then increased sharply to 92 100 SEK in 2024. This represents a percentage increase of approximately 4.9% from 2023 to 2024, after a slight decline the year before. Salary trends are often influenced by the availability of qualified candidates, competition for leadership roles in the cultural sector, and changes in public and private funding models. The recent increase indicates that the market values the role of the theater director more highly, especially as demands for artistic and financial expertise grow.

Theater Director, with managerial hierarchy salary – full overview

  • Average salary: 92 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 59,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 117,000 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 554 SEK
  • Women: 95,500 SEK/month (104% of men’s salary)
  • Men: 91 400 SEK/month

A theater director is often expected to combine artistic vision with business-minded thinking. The ability to build and maintain relationships with artists, sponsors, and audiences is crucial for the theater’s long-term success.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

To work as a theater director with managerial responsibility, higher education in culture, economics, leadership, or performing arts is usually required. Many have backgrounds in theater production, directing, or other artistic fields, combined with experience in personnel management and budget responsibility. Practical experience is highly valued, especially when combined with relevant education and networks within the cultural sector.

  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in, for example, performing arts, cultural management, or economics (3–5 years)
  • Experience in leadership and personnel management
  • Courses in project management, law, or cultural policy
  • Internships or trainee programs at major cultural institutions
  • Strong references and documented ability to lead development projects

Common benefits and compensations

Theater directors with managerial responsibility are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowances, generous vacation policies, and opportunities for professional development. Flexible working hours and access to cultural events are also common, and sometimes performance-based bonuses linked to organizational results.

Competition and challenges

The competition for roles as theater director with managerial responsibility is high, especially at larger institutions and in metropolitan areas. Success requires a unique combination of artistic understanding and business leadership. Challenges include balancing economic constraints with artistic visions, managing personnel issues, and meeting changing audience expectations. Changes in public funding and increasing demands for digitalization also affect working conditions, requiring continuous adaptation and strategic thinking.

Tips for aspiring theater directors in managerial roles

To succeed as a theater director with managerial responsibility, it’s beneficial to combine strategic thinking with a genuine interest in culture and performing arts. Developing strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire others is crucial for leading both artistic and administrative teams. Networking within the industry and experience in managing projects from idea to implementation provide a significant advantage. An analytical understanding of economic processes and budgeting is important, as is effective communication to handle various stakeholders. The ability to make decisions under pressure while maintaining creativity are qualities often associated with successful theater directors.

Key facts about Theater Director, with managerial hierarchy

  • Average salary: 92 100 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 59,400–117,000 SEK/month
  • Gender difference: Women earn 104% of men’s salary
  • Education level: University degree, often master’s or doctoral level
  • Job market: 175 available jobs in the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years as a theater director, there are opportunities to advance to senior roles within larger cultural institutions, such as CEO of national stages or heads of cultural administrations. Some choose to specialize in cultural policy, education, or international collaborations. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that the demand for qualified cultural managers remains stable, although the number of available positions is limited to around 175 nationwide. For those combining artistic skills with strong leadership and economic understanding, the outlook is promising, especially in larger cities and established institutions.

Frequently asked questions about Theater Director, with managerial hierarchy

  • What does a Theater Director, with managerial hierarchy earn?
    - The average salary is 92 100 SEK per month, with a range from 59,400 SEK to 117,000 SEK.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Women earn an average of 95,500 SEK while men earn 91 400 SEK, meaning women have 104% of men's salary.
  • What education is required to become a theater director?
    - Higher education, often at master’s or doctoral level, in performing arts, cultural management, or economics is common.
  • What does the job market look like for theater directors?
    - There are approximately 175 available jobs in the profession according to the latest data.
  • What influences the salary of a theater director?
    - Factors such as education level, experience, employer, and geographic location play a significant role.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Salary variations occur, especially between large cities and rural areas, as well as between different types of theater operations.
  • What are the biggest challenges in the profession?
    - Balancing artistic ambitions with financial responsibilities and navigating changing political and public landscapes.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-06 06:47:19

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Theater director, with chief hierarchy is 117000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Privately employed workers with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 115400 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Theater director, with chief hierarchy is 59400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 95500 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 55400 kr 56700 kr
35-44 79800 kr 82800 kr
45-54 91600 kr 95400 kr
55-64 104% 100500 kr 104600 kr
Snitt 104% 88600 kr 92100 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 Theater director, with chief hierarchy has the SSYK code 1120, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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