How much does a Theater decorator make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Theater decorator

Theater decorator

41 100 kr

Interior designers, decorators and scenographers etc.

36 200 - 45 600 kr / month

Women earn 91% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Theater decorator

Average salary 41 100 kr
Males 44 400 kr
Females 40 200 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 7 Vacant jobs ->

What does a theater decorator do? – Tasks and work environment

A theater decorator works on creating and designing stage environments for theater productions, musicals, and other stage shows. Tasks can include sketching and planning scenery, building, painting, and decorating backdrops and props. The profession requires close collaboration with directors, set designers, lighting technicians, and other theater professionals. Work is often performed in workshops, on stage, and sometimes on location during performances, involving both physical labor and working under time pressure before premieres or rehearsals. The environment is creative but also demanding, with irregular hours depending on production needs.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salaries for theater decorators have shown steady growth. In 2022, the average salary was 38,300 SEK per month. This increased to 39100 SEK in 2023, representing an approximate 2.1% increase. Between 2023 and 2024, the average salary further increased to 41 100 SEK, a rise of just over 5%. This salary trend reflects an increased demand for creative and technically skilled decorators in the performing arts but is also influenced by general salary adjustments within the cultural sector. Despite some uncertainty in future forecasts, the profession continues to attract individuals with artistic and practical skills, which may contribute to continued salary development in the future.

Theater decorator salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 41 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 36,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 45,600 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 247 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 91% of what men do (men: 44,400 SEK, women: 40 200 SEK)
  • Regional differences: No specific data available

Education and qualifications

To work as a theater decorator, a typical requirement is an artistic education specializing in scenography, decoration, or design. Many have completed high school art programs or higher education in performing arts, visual arts, or design. Practical experience from theater or film production is often advantageous, and work samples carry significant weight during hiring. Specialized courses and internships can improve employment opportunities.

  • High school education: Artistic programs, 3 years
  • Higher education: Scenography, decoration, or design, 3–5 years
  • Internships: Common during education and highly valued
  • Work samples: Often required during applications
  • Courses and certifications: For example, in theater technology, color theory, or carpentry

Many theater decorators have backgrounds in art or craftsmanship and often work with both traditional techniques and modern materials. The profession offers a unique opportunity to combine artistic expression with practical problem-solving at a high level.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Theater decorators are often covered by collective agreements that provide access to occupational pensions, holiday pay, and insurance. Other common benefits may include wellness allowances, opportunities for skills development, and sometimes flexible working hours depending on the project. Overtime compensation (OB) may apply for work evenings and weekends.

Competition and challenges

The job market for theater decorators is relatively limited, and competition for permanent positions can be fierce. Job availability largely depends on the finances of theater institutions, the scope of productions, and cultural policy initiatives. Most positions are found in larger cities with major venues. The profession requires flexibility, the ability to work under time pressure, and sometimes irregular hours. Staying updated on new materials and techniques is crucial to remain attractive on the job market.

Tips for aspiring theater decorators

To succeed as a theater decorator, it’s good to combine creativity with practical problem-solving skills and high precision. Early collection of work samples and experience from stage productions, such as internships or volunteer work, increase employment chances. Collaboration skills are essential, as work is done in teams with many different roles and often under tight deadlines. Flexibility and the ability to handle rapid changes in project plans are also important. An interest in craftsmanship and material knowledge provides a solid foundation, and continuously developing skills through courses and networking enhances marketability.

Key facts about Theater Decorator

  • Average salary: 41 100 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 36,200–45,600 SEK/month
  • Gender difference: Women earn 91% of men’s salary
  • Education level: High school or higher education in art/design
  • Job market: About 620 available jobs within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After gaining experience, theater decorators can advance to leading roles such as atelier manager, set designer, or project manager for larger productions. Opportunities also exist to work in related fields like film, television, or exhibitions. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, no specific forecast exists for theater decorators due to limited data, but within related professions such as interior designers, decorators, and set designers, there are around 620 available jobs, indicating some demand. Future prospects are influenced by funding and development in the cultural sector, but creative and technical skills are broadly valued in the industry.

Frequently asked questions about Theater Decorator

  • What is the average salary of a theater decorator?
    - A theater decorator has an average salary of 41 100 SEK per month.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for a theater decorator?
    - The highest salary is 45,600 SEK and the lowest is 36,200 SEK per month.
  • Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
    - Yes, women earn approximately 91% of what men do in the profession.
  • What education is required to become a theater decorator?
    - Typically, a high school or higher education in art, design, or scenography is required.
  • What is the job market like for theater decorators?
    - There are about 620 available jobs within the profession, but competition for permanent positions can be high.
  • What are the tasks of a theater decorator?
    - The work involves creating and building stage environments as well as decorating scenery and props.
  • What is the hourly wage of a theater decorator?
    - The average hourly wage is 247 SEK.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 06:20:37

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Theater decorator is 45600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 45100 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Theater decorator is 36200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Private sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 44400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 33800 kr 34900 kr
35-44 39900 kr 40700 kr
45-54 43900 kr 45000 kr
55-64 44900 kr 45300 kr
Snitt 91% 40200 kr 41100 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

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 decorator has the SSYK code 3432, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Public Opinion

    Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    National Debt

    The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes

Explore more topics