TAKU’s Salary Survey: Salaries of Arts and Culture Professionals on the Rise

The results of TAKU’s latest salary survey show that the salary level of professionals in the arts and culture sector has increased by 9.8 percent over the past three years. The largest increase has been among those in full-time salaried employment, whose pay has risen by 11.5 percent between 2022 and 2025.

The current median monthly salary for full-time, university-educated arts and culture professionals is €3,449. The table below breaks down median salary levels by education level.

Municipal Sector Shows the Strongest Relative Growth

In particular, salaries in the municipal sector of the arts and culture field – previously lagging significantly behind – appear to have finally caught up. The median monthly salary for university-educated arts and culture professionals working in the municipal sector is now €3,368. This represents a remarkable 17.5 percent increase over three years.

Salary levels in the non-profit sector remain slightly lower than in other sectors, although salary development there has followed the general trend.

General Increases the Main Reason for Salary Growth

Of the respondents, 79 percent reported receiving a salary increase during the past three years. Even within the past year alone, 70 percent said their salary had increased.

The most important reason for rising salary levels has been general pay increases negotiated by trade unions as part of collective agreements. Nearly half (49 %) of respondents cited these general increases as the reason for their salary raise. In addition, salaries have been raised due to the introduction of the municipalities’ job-level pay system, seniority increments, and role-specific salary adjustments.

Respondents whose salary had decreased during the review period reported that the decline was due to factors such as changing jobs, changes in working hours, or becoming unemployed.

Over 50% Say Salary Does Not Match Job Demands

Although salary levels have generally increased, the pay of university-educated arts and culture professionals remains low relative to the required level of education and the responsibilities involved. Indeed, 51 percent of arts and culture professionals believe that their salary does not correspond to the demands of their job

– Unfortunately, the salary survey shows that additional responsibilities are barely reflected in our members’ pay. For example, supervisory or budget responsibility is only minimally visible in salaries, says Nea Leo, Executive Director of TAKU.

The median salary for full-time managers and supervisors is €4,064 per month, while the corresponding median salary for senior salaried employees is €4,011.

According to the survey, disparities are also evident in the situation of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and multi-job workers who combine several income sources. The median monthly income of full-time self-employed professionals, independent practitioners, and entrepreneurs is €2,900, which is 15 percent lower than that of salaried employees.