How much does a Technical illustrator make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Technical illustrator

Technical illustrator

40 400 kr

GIS and mapping engineers

34 900 - 50 600 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Tekniskt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Technical illustrator

Average salary 40 400 kr
Males 40 700 kr
Females 40 100 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 4 Vacant jobs ->

What does a technical illustrator do? – Tasks and work environment

A technical illustrator works on visualizing technical processes, products, and systems through detailed illustrations and graphic presentations. Tasks include creating manuals and instruction books, as well as illustrating advanced technical solutions for educational materials, advertising, or product development. The technology behind the illustrations varies, using both traditional drawing tools and advanced digital software. The work environment is usually office-based, either at design or engineering firms, but remote work or consulting is also common. Collaborations often occur with engineers, designers, and marketing departments to ensure that the technical images are accurate and pedagogically designed.

Salary development over time

The salary for a technical illustrator has shown steady growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 39,300 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 40 400 in 2023. This level has remained stable into 2024, representing a total increase of approximately 2.8 % over three years. The salary development reflects stable demand for the role, with digitalization and increased technical complexity contributing to maintaining salaries. Despite some slowdown in wage growth recently, the profession remains competitive within the tech sector, especially considering specialization and requirements for technical and graphic skills.

Technical illustrator salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 40 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,900 SEK/month (female, public sector, post-secondary education shorter than 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 50,600 SEK/month (female, government sector, research education)
  • Average male salary: 40 700 SEK/month (lowest 35,900 SEK, highest 42,200 SEK)
  • Average female salary: 40 100 SEK/month (lowest 34,900 SEK, highest 50,600 SEK)
  • Women earn: 98 % of what men do
  • Hourly wage: 243 SEK (calculated on 166 hours/month)
  • Regional differences: Data unavailable

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a technical illustrator often involves post-secondary education in technical design, graphic illustration, or engineering subjects focused on visualization. Many employers require experience with digital drawing software and understanding of technical processes and constructions. Internships, project work, and a portfolio of personal illustrations are highly meritorious.

  • Post-secondary education: YH training, college, or university (2–4 years)
  • Courses/certifications: CAD, 3D modeling, technical drawing
  • Internships: Often included in the education through internships or project work
  • Prerequisites: Basic technical and graphic understanding
  • Online courses/self-study: Complement education and provide competitive advantages

Many technical illustrators work closely with engineers and product developers, making communication skills and understanding of technical terminology crucial for success in the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Common benefits for technical illustrators include wellness allowances, flexible working hours, remote work options, and opportunities for professional development through courses and conferences. In addition to base salary, bonuses or project-based compensation may also be offered, especially for consulting assignments or larger projects.

Competition and challenges

The competition for roles as a technical illustrator is at a moderate level, where specialized skills and experience with advanced graphics tools are often key to standing out in recruitment processes. Challenges include staying updated with rapid technological developments and balancing technical accuracy with pedagogical clarity in illustrations. Digitalization and automation are also transforming the profession, increasing demands for adaptability and lifelong learning. The ability to interpret complex technical data is central to delivering high-quality images that meet client and user needs.

Tips for aspiring technical illustrators

To succeed as a technical illustrator, it’s beneficial to combine technical interest with creativity and precision. Building a strong portfolio of personal illustrations, especially focused on technical subjects and digital tools, is a good first step. Clear communication skills and staying updated on new programs and methods are important. Initiative and independence are valued qualities, especially as many assignments require managing projects from concept to completion. Being organized and skilled at interpreting technical drawings will help both in studies and in professional work. Finally, internships and networking provide valuable opportunities to make contacts and find your first job in the field.

Key facts about technical illustrators

  • Average salary: 40 400 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 34,900–50,600 SEK/month
  • Gender distribution: Women earn 98 % of what men do
  • Education level: Post-secondary education, often 2–4 years
  • Job market: 564 job openings within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After gaining several years of experience, a technical illustrator can advance to roles such as senior illustrator, project manager within technical communication, or specialist in a specific technical field, e.g., medical technology or automotive industry. Opportunities also exist to develop into more overarching roles within design management or product development. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts for the GIS and cartography engineers, including technical illustrators, the job market is currently balanced but demand is expected to increase over the next five years. This indicates good future prospects for those pursuing the profession, especially in industries where technical visualization becomes increasingly important. Digitalization and higher requirements for pedagogical communication drive demand, making the role both relevant and expandable.

Frequently asked questions about technical illustrators

  • What is the average salary of a technical illustrator?
    - A technical illustrator has an average salary of 40 400 SEK per month.
  • What does the salary range look like for a technical illustrator?
    - The salary range goes from 34,900 SEK to 50,600 SEK per month depending on experience, education, and sector.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn 98 % of what men do within the profession.
  • What education is required to become a technical illustrator?
    - Post-secondary education in technical design, graphic illustration, or related fields is recommended.
  • What is the job market like for technical illustrators?
    - There are 564 job openings in the profession, and demand is expected to increase over the next five years.
  • How does the salary differ between men and women?
    - Men have an average salary of 40 700 SEK, women 40 100 SEK per month.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, remote work, and professional development are common.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 06:33:58

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Technical illustrator is 50600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Government sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 42200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Technical illustrator is 34900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 35900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 97% 38300 kr 38500 kr
35-44 100% 40600 kr 40800 kr
45-54 99% 41300 kr 41400 kr
55-64 98% 40600 kr 40800 kr
Snitt 98% 40200 kr 40400 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 illustrator has the SSYK code 3117, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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