Understanding what you can make in Stockholm is key, especially if you’re thinking about working or living here.

This is why I’m diving into the average salary, what life costs from rent to a night out, and how different jobs stack up salary-wise.

We’ll go through everything from what a typical salary looks like, to living expenses, and even peek into what people in various jobs make.

Ready to find out more? Let’s jump right into it.

Salaries in Stockholm

The average salary in Stockholm varies widely, but most people earn between 30,000 and 40,000 SEK per month after taxes (38,300 SEK per month to be exact).

So, unless you want to resign and start looking for a high-paying job, this is what you’ll have to get used to earning in Sweden.

This is a general figure and actual salaries can be higher or lower depending on the job and the amount of working hours they do (remember, extra hours are paid at a higher rate).

But.. is this enough to live in Stockholm?

Monthly Cost of Living in Stockholm

Living in Stockholm isn’t cheap, and your wallet will definitely feel it. I mean, just look at these costs:

• Rent: For a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, you’re looking at about 12,000 to 15,000 SEK. Outside the center, it might drop to 8,000 to 12,000 SEK.
• Food: Groceries for one can run you about 2,500 to 3,500 SEK a month, depending on how fancy you get with your meals.
• Transportation: A monthly public transport pass is around 890 SEK.
• Utilities: For a cozy apartment, expect to pay around 800 to 1,200 SEK monthly.
• Entertainment: Going out and enjoying what Stockholm has to offer? Set aside at least 10,000 SEK for some fun.

That amounts to about 20,000 SEK to 30,000 SEK a month, depending on how much you like to spend (and that’s not including any planned vacation costs!).

So, expect to spend more than 60% of your salary in just living (to say the least), and that’s if you’re lucky because I’ve seen people that spend at least 80% of their salary in living in Stockholm (particularly if they like to go out!)

Salary Distribution in Stockholm

In Stockholm, not everyone’s job contracts and, thus, paychecks look the same.

High earners, like those in tech or management, can see salaries well above 60,000 SEK a month. On the flip side, entry-level positions or service jobs might bring in less than 25,000 SEK.

Let’s look at a simple table showing how salaries are spread out across the workforce in Stockholm:

Percentage of Employees	Average Annual Salary Range in SEK
Bottom 10%	Up to 300,000 SEK
25%	Up to 344,000 SEK
50%	Up to 410,000 SEK
75%	Up to 511,000 SEK
90%	Up to 660,000 SEK

Salaries by Profession in Stockholm

In Stockholm, professionals can check their industry-specific salaries using online tools provide salary data based on job title, experience, and location such as:

• The official Statistics Sweden (SCB) website
• Glassdoor
• PayScale. These.

Here’s a summarized table with examples of professions and their corresponding average annual salaries:

Profession Name	Average Annual Salary in SEK
Specialist Physicians	Up to 1,042,800
Nurses	Up to 460,800
IT System Analysts	Up to 531,600
Primary School Teachers	Up to 408,000
Civil Engineers	Up to 540,000
Product Managers	Up to 900,000*
Engineering Managers	Up to 1,050,000*
Project Managers	Up to 816,000*
Software Developers	Up to 772,800*
Marketing and Sales Managers	Up to 660,000

You might be interested in: How to negotiate a salary in Sweden?

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What is a Good Salary in Stockholm?

I’m a firm believer that a good salary in Stockholm is one that comfortably covers the cost of living while allowing for both savings and discretionary spending.

I mean, that’s what you work for, right?

Considering that the average salary is around 38,300 SEK per month, a good salary would be one that is above this average.

I mean, for a single person, a salary that allows you to cover all expenses, including rent, transportation, food, and utilities, and still save a bit, would be around 40,000 to 50,000 SEK per month.

For families, a good salary in Stockholm would likely need to start from around 50,000 SEK per month and upwards. This would better accommodate additional costs such as childcare, which can be significant, extra food, larger housing, healthcare, schooling, and various activities that are part of family life.

My conclusion?

Living in Stockholm can be costly, so it’s crucial to negotiate the best salary possible. I’d also recommend you to take proactive steps by regularly updating your CV and cover letters, seeking to hopefully secure a few job interviews for positions with higher pay.

You might be interested in: Can I get a job in Sweden without speaking Swedish?

Average Salary in Stockholm by Age and Education

Generally, the rule is that earnings increase with age and peak during mid-career, as individuals gain experience and seniority.

Also, higher education typically correlates with higher pay because advanced degrees often lead to jobs requiring specialized skills, which are in higher demand. This demand translates into higher salaries as employers are willing to pay more for the advanced competencies.

For a conceptual understanding, here’s a simplified representation:

By Age:

Age Range	Average Annual Salary in SEK
16-24	200,000 – 300,000
25-34	300,000 – 400,000
35-44	400,000 – 500,000
45-54	450,000 – 550,000
55-64	450,000 – 600,000

By Education:

Education Level	Average Annual Salary in SEK
Less than high school	250,000 – 350,000
High school graduate	300,000 – 400,000
Vocational training	350,000 – 450,000
Bachelor’s degree	400,000 – 500,000
Master’s degree	450,000 – 600,000
PhD	500,000 – 700,000+

Average Salary in Other Swedish Cities

City	Average Annual Salary in SEK
Stockholm	450,000 – 600,000
Gothenburg	430,000 – 580,000
Malmö	420,000 – 570,000
Uppsala	420,000 – 560,000
Linköping	410,000 – 560,000
Västerås	400,000 – 550,000
Örebro	400,000 – 550,000
Norrköping	400,000 – 550,000
Helsingborg	400,000 – 550,000
Jönköping	400,000 – 550,000

Salary Bonuses in Stockholm

Bonuses are often given as a reward for employees’ efforts in reaching organizational objectives or for embracing additional responsibilities rather than choosing to depart and seek new opportunities by resigning.

In Stockholm, bonuses are a common part of compensation packages, particularly in sectors like finance, technology, and sales.

The percentage of these bonuses compared to salaries varies widely, often ranging from 5% to 30% or more, depending on the role, industry, and individual performance.

These can include:

• Performance-based bonuses: might range from 5% to 15% of the annual salary, reflecting individual or team achievements.
• Year-end bonuses: often seen in profitable years, could be around 10% to 20%, based on company performance.
• New job bonuses: for signing on typically offer a one-time payment, which can vary widely.
• Relocation bonuses: also vary, designed to cover moving costs, potentially a few thousand SEK to more, depending on the distance and family situation.

When are Salaries Paid in Stockholm?

In Stockholm, salaries are typically paid once a month, and the common practice is to pay employees at the end of the month, though the exact date can vary by employer.

Some companies may choose to pay salaries on the 25th of each month, while others might do so on the last banking day of the month.

The payment frequency and date don’t usually depend on the profession but rather on the company’s payroll policies.

Taxes for Salaries in Stockholm

In Stockholm, individuals pay income tax comprising both municipal and national tax rates which are based on income, with higher earners paying a progressively higher rate.

You might be interested in: Full guide to taxes in Sweden?

As you’ll see next, on average, salaried workers might pay between 30% to 50% of their income in taxes, depending on their earnings and deductions.

Salary Range (SEK per year)	Total Tax Rate (Municipal + National)
Up to 500,000	Approx. 30%
500,001 – 1,000,000	Approx. 40%
Over 1,000,000	Approx. 50%

This table is an approximation and is designed to give you a basic understanding of how tax rates progress with higher earnings in Stockholm.