How much does a Technical manager, theater make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Technical manager, theater

Technical manager, theater

38 600 kr

Lighting, sound and stage technicians

33 600 - 43 700 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Technical manager, theater

Average salary 38 600 kr
Males 38 800 kr
Females 37 300 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 6 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Technical Director in theater do? – Tasks and work environment

A Technical Director in theater is responsible for leading and coordinating the technical work behind the scenes. Tasks include planning, budgeting, and executing stage productions, ensuring that lighting, sound, set design, and machinery work together seamlessly. The role also involves managing technical staff, collaborating with directors and designers, and ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. The work environment is characterized by creative teamwork, varied working hours, and sometimes high-paced periods before premieres and major events.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salary development for a Technical Director in theater has been clearly positive. In 2022, the average salary was 35,100 SEK per month, increasing to 35 500 in 2023. The most significant increase occurred in the last year, when the average salary rose to 38 600 SEK in 2024, representing an increase of just over 8% from 2022 to 2024. This trend reflects a growing demand for skilled technical expertise in the cultural sector and a general trend of valuing technical leadership roles higher. The salary range has also widened, indicating that experience and further training have a clear impact on salary levels.

Technical Director in theater salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 38 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 33,600 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 43,700 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 232 SEK
  • Women earn: 37 300 SEK/month (96% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 38 800 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: No data available on regional variations

Education and qualifications

To work as a Technical Director in theater, a post-secondary education in technology, stage arts, or related fields is usually required, often combined with industry experience in theater or events. Practical experience and leadership skills are essential, as well as knowledge of work environment and safety regulations. Many have also completed specialized courses in lighting, sound, or stage technology.

  • Post-secondary education: Typically 2–3 years in technology, stage arts, or event production
  • Certifications: Courses in work environment, safety, electrical work, or machinery are recommended
  • Practical experience: Early career experience as a technician or supervisor in theater is common
  • Leadership: Documented experience in personnel responsibility and project management
  • Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of lighting, sound, and stage machinery required

A Technical Director in theater often needs the ability to quickly solve unexpected problems during a performance. Flexibility and calm leadership are essential when technology faces challenges in real-time – sometimes with an audience waiting for the show to continue.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Common benefits for a Technical Director in theater typically include wellness allowances, opportunities for professional development, flexible working hours, and sometimes access to performances. Some employers also offer pension contributions, extra vacation days, and favorable insurance solutions. Compensation for unsociable hours may also be provided, especially for evening and weekend work.

Challenges and competition

Competition for positions as a Technical Director in theater is relatively high, especially at larger institutions and in major cities. The industry demands high technical expertise and leadership skills, while the work environment can be pressurized with tight deadlines and large productions. Staying updated with rapid technological developments in lighting, sound, and stage systems is a challenge. Additionally, the role requires balancing creative collaboration with strict safety responsibilities, demanding strong problem-solving skills and resilience under stress.

Tips for aspiring Technical Directors in theater

To succeed as a Technical Director in theater, it’s beneficial to combine technical curiosity with strong leadership. Gaining practical experience through internships or summer jobs in stage production provides valuable insights into the profession’s requirements. An analytical and organized personality helps when planning and executing complex technical solutions. Good communication and attentiveness to both technicians and artistic staff are crucial for building a functioning team. Flexibility and stress resilience are important, especially when unexpected problems arise during ongoing productions. Building a network within the industry and continuously updating technical knowledge enhances career prospects. Finally, a genuine interest in theater and stage arts is a key motivator for long-term commitment.

Key facts about a Technical Director in theater

  • Education level: Post-secondary education, often 2–3 years
  • Work environment: Creative, varied, and sometimes stressful
  • Work form: Project-based, often with evening and weekend work
  • Job openings in the profession: 620 (May 2024)
  • Gender salary distribution: Women earn 96% of men's salary

Career paths and outlook

After three to five years in the role of Technical Director in theater, there are opportunities to advance to larger institutions or take on overarching responsibilities for multiple venues. It is also common to move into roles such as technical project manager, stage manager, or production manager within theater, events, or TV production. According to the Employment Service’s job forecast for lighting, sound, and stage technicians, no precise assessment is made for this role due to limited data, but there are 620 job openings in the profession. Demand is influenced by the development of the theater industry and investments in the cultural sector, where technical competence is expected to remain important in the future.

Frequently asked questions about a Technical Director in theater

  • What does a Technical Director in theater earn?
    - The average salary is 38 600 SEK per month, with a range between 33,600 and 43,700 SEK.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 96% of what men do in the profession.
  • What education is required to become a Technical Director in theater?
    - Post-secondary education in technology, stage arts, or event production, often 2–3 years, plus industry experience.
  • What is the job market like?
    - There are approximately 620 job openings within the profession, but no precise forecast for this specific role.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Leadership, problem-solving skills, stress resilience, and good communication are essential.
  • What does a typical workday look like?
    - Days vary between technical planning, work management, and troubleshooting during performances.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Wellness allowances, professional development, flexible hours, and access to performances are often offered.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-08-08 23:28:50

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Technical manager, theater is 43700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 40300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Technical manager, theater is 33600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 36100 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 33800 kr
35-44 38000 kr 38900 kr
55-64 42400 kr 43100 kr
Snitt 96% 37500 kr 38600 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 Technical manager, theater has the SSYK code 3522, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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