What’s the average salary in Sweden

The average salary in Sweden is around SEK 481,200 per year or SEK 40,100 per month. However, this figure isn’t a one-size-fits-all figure. The amount you can potentially earn is heavily influenced by your particular circumstances and the field you have chosen to pursue.

‍

What’s a good salary in Sweden? 

Unfortunately, there's no simple answer, as it depends on several factors:

• Your living expenses: Costs vary greatly depending on factors like location (Stockholm is more expensive than smaller towns), family size, housing type, and desired lifestyle.
  
  
• Your needs and priorities: Do you prioritise saving, travel, dining out, or owning a car? This will influence what income level feels "good" for you
  
  
• Your field and experience: Certain industries like IT, finance, and medicine offer higher salaries on average. Experienced professionals typically earn more than those starting out.
  
  
• Your job type: Public sector jobs tend to offer slightly higher salaries than private sector jobs. Full-time employment pays more than part-time.

However, with all that said, looking at the data in Numbeo, it looks like a good salary for a Swedish employee is around 53,832 EUR gross and 39,588 EUR net per month.

The average salary in Sweden by city

When it comes to the average salary in Sweden, it’s important to remember the variations across different cities. For example, In vibrant Stockholm, the capital city, the average salary tends to be higher, reflecting its bustling economy and thriving business scene. Meanwhile, Gothenburg, located on the west coast, boasts a slightly lower average salary but compensates with a dynamic job market and exceptional work-life balance. Here’s a quick breakdown: 

‍

Source: PayScale

The average salary in Sweden by occupation

Below are the average monthly salaries per occupation sector. 

Source: SCB

The average salary in Sweden by governmental sector

Sweden is renowned for its strong welfare system and emphasis on public services, which naturally translates to competitive salaries in this sector. Government employees in Sweden enjoy a range of benefits and a high level of job security. Here’s a quick breakdown: 

Source: SCB

The average salary in Sweden by highest-paid occupations

When it comes to the highest-paid occupations in the country, several fields stand out. In the tech industry, professionals such as software engineers and data scientists enjoy handsome compensation packages, thanks to the country's thriving IT sector. Meanwhile, healthcare professionals, including specialists and surgeons, are highly valued for their expertise, which reflects their compensation. 

Source: PayScale

The average salary in Sweden by education level

Source: Statista

It’s quite fascinating to observe that the disparity in the average monthly pay between individuals with a Primary education and those with a Tertiary education is only 14.05%. Basically, going to college or pursuing higher education doesn't always guarantee a significant increase in earnings as many people might assume.

The average salary in Sweden by age

According to the graph, it appears that there is a noticeable increase in the gender pay gap as individuals age. This suggests that the disparity between male and female earnings becomes more pronounced as people progress further into their careers.

Why move to Sweden? 

From stunning nature and a strong social safety net to thriving job opportunities and a vibrant culture, Sweden offers a compelling draw for those seeking a high quality of life. However, it’s important to note that Sweden's cost of living sits somewhere between the American Midwest and major European cities like London. It's also generally higher than countries in Eastern Europe but cheaper than its immediate Nordic neighbours. Here’s a quick breakdown: 

Country	Average Annual Salary (Euros)
Switzerland	€84,159
Norway	€56,810
Denmark	€49,850
Germany	€49,260
Finland	€47,688
Sweden	€43,690
Netherlands	€42,236
France	€39,800
Italy	€35,561
Austria	€31,407
United Kingdom	€30,031
Spain	€29,113
Slovenia	€27,350
Estonia	€22,850
Portugal	€22,000
Poland	€20,390
Czechia	€19,200
Hungary	€18,807
Croatia	€16,440
Greece	€15,335