What is The Software Engineer Salary in Sweden

Software Engineer Salary in Sweden — ever Googled it at 2 a.m. and felt your heart drop?

You see crazy Silicon Valley numbers, then Swedish figures that look… modest. Taxes bite, rent in Stockholm hurts, and suddenly you wonder: “Is this really worth moving for?”

Here’s the truth most blogs skip: ”what is the salarly” Sweden doesn’t pay the highest raw salary, but the real take-home + lifestyle combo often beats many “high-salary” countries.

In this guide, we break down honest 2025–2026 numbers — junior to senior, Stockholm vs everywhere else, perks that save you thousands, and how to actually boost your pay fast.

Average Software Engineer Salary Overview

Thinking about a career as a software engineer in Sweden? Let’s get straight to the numbers that actually hit your bank account.

The average salary for software engineer in Sweden sits around SEK 520,000 to 760,000 per year (gross total comp, including bonuses and some stock in bigger roles).

Most reliable sources like Levels.fyi put the range from about SEK 540,000 to 761,000, with a solid median around SEK 650,000–656,000 when extras are included.

That breaks down to roughly SEK 43,000–63,000 per month before taxes.

Not bad for a country where you actually get to enjoy life outside work — free healthcare and long vacations help stretch it further.

Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Experience makes a big difference here. Sweden pays more as you level up, but it takes time.

• Junior/Entry-level — Newbies or under 3–4 years usually land SEK 380,000–500,000 per year. Levels.fyi shows entry around SEK 412,000 to 502,000. Monthly gross? About SEK 32,000–42,000. PayScale reports entry around SEK 384,000–387,000. Good start — enough to live while you learn.
• Mid-level — With 4–8 years? This is where most people settle. Expect SEK 520,000–700,000 annually, or SEK 43,000–58,000 monthly gross. Early career (1–4 years) often hits around SEK 450,000–467,000 according to PayScale data.
• Senior — 8+ years or proven skills? Senior software engineer salary in Sweden jumps to SEK 620,000–900,000+ per year. In Stockholm, Levels.fyi has seniors ranging SEK 662,000 to 919,000. Monthly gross often SEK 52,000–76,000. PayScale puts average senior around SEK 625,000.

Funny how a few more years (and probably some gray hairs) can add 30–50% to your pay — experience really does pay off.

Recently Submitted/Updated Salary Statistics (2024–2025)

Fresh data keeps it real. Here’s what’s coming in from 2024–early 2026 reports:

• Levels.fyi (updated as recent as January 2026) shows overall SEK 540,000–761,000 total comp in Sweden, with Stockholm higher at SEK 553,000–802,000 (average around SEK 671,000). Entry-level fresh from late 2025.
• PayScale (updates through late 2025) lists average SEK 521,000 for software engineers (Stockholm focus), with total pay up to SEK 701,000 including bonuses. Entry ~SEK 384,000, early career ~SEK 450,000–467,000, seniors around SEK 625,000.
• Unionen (Swedish union stats for 2024, still very relevant) puts systemutvecklare (software devs) monthly between SEK 35,500–70,500 depending on job difficulty — real average often around SEK 54,900–55,200 monthly gross. Growth was steady into 2025.

Salaries ticked up 4–8% in recent years thanks to tech demand. Crowd-sourced sites like Glassdoor show Stockholm ranges SEK 39,000–56,000 monthly for general roles (25th–75th percentile), seniors higher at SEK 55,000–73,000.

Bottom line: The average software engineer salary in Sweden gives a comfortable life, especially mid-level and up. Taxes bite (30–35% typical — plug into a Sweden salary tax calculator for your net), but the perks make up for it.

Salary by Location in Sweden

Where you work in Sweden makes a real difference in your paycheck. Big cities pay more, but rent and life costs bite harder too. Let’s look at the spots that matter most for software engineers.

Stockholm Salary Ranges

Stockholm is the king when it comes to software engineer salary in Stockholm.

Levels.fyi (fresh data from early 2026) shows total comp ranging from about SEK 553,000 to 802,000 per year — that’s roughly SEK 46,000–67,000 monthly gross.

Glassdoor puts monthly averages around SEK 47,000–56,000 (25th to 75th percentile), with top earners hitting SEK 90,000+.

PayScale has Stockholm averages near SEK 521,000 yearly, up to SEK 694,000 for the high end.

Stockholm boosts pay by 10–20% over the national average — tech giants like Spotify, Klarna, and Ericsson pull the numbers up.

Greater Stockholm Metropolitan Area

The Greater Stockholm area (including spots like Solna or Södertälje) stays pretty close to central Stockholm pay.

Levels.fyi examples show similar ranges — mid-level roles often SEK 550,000–800,000 total.

You might save a bit on rent if you live just outside the center, but the salary difference is small. Most companies still base pay on the Stockholm market.

Top Paying Cities and Regions Across Sweden

Stockholm leads, no contest.

Gothenburg comes next — solid tech scene (Volvo, gaming companies), but pay usually 10–15% lower than Stockholm. Expect mid-level around SEK 45,000–60,000 monthly gross (from Reddit real-talk and Unionen data).

Malmö/Lund area follows — closer to Copenhagen influence sometimes, but generally SEK 40,000–55,000 monthly for most roles.

Other regions (Linköping, Uppsala, smaller towns) pay closer to national average or a bit less — good if you want lower living costs.

Geographic Salary Comparisons

Quick

City / Area	Annual Total Comp Range (SEK, gross)	Key Notes / Factors
Stockholm	550,000–800,000+ (median around 650,000–750,000 from Levels.fyi)	Highest overall. Tech density (Spotify, King, Google/Amazon branches) drives premiums; seniors/staff easily hit 800k+ with bonuses/stock. Levels.fyi Greater Stockholm median ~SEK 665,000 total comp (25th–75th: ~547k–796k). High rent/taxes eat into take-home — many joke “Stockholm salary looks amazing… until you see the apartment prices!”
Gothenburg	500,000–700,000 (median around 590,000)	Solid middle ground. Strong in automotive/tech (Volvo Cars, Ericsson hubs); Levels.fyi Gothenburg average total comp ~SEK 590,749 (range ~489k–675k). Lower living costs than Stockholm make net savings better for many.
Malmö	480,000–650,000 (closer to 500,000–600,000 average)	A bit lower. Growing startup/medtech scene (near Copenhagen bridge helps cross-border roles); ERI/SalaryExpert shows developer averages ~SEK 725,000 but often base-heavy; general trends 10–15% below Gothenburg. Cheaper housing boosts affordability.
National average (Sweden)	520,000–760,000 (median ~600,000–650,000)	Pulls from all cities; Levels.fyi Sweden-wide medians hover in this ballpark, with Stockholm boosting the high end. Glassdoor/PayScale national averages ~SEK 520,000–550,000 base, total comp higher with bonuses. Outside big three cities, expect 10–20% less.

Salary by Seniority and Role Type

Experience level is what really moves the needle on your software engineer salary in Sweden.

The more years (and skills) you stack, the bigger the jump.

Let’s break it down simply — using fresh 2025-2026 data from places like Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, PayScale, and Unionen reports.

Entry-level/Junior Software Engineer Salaries

Just starting out? Or under 3-4 years?

Junior software engineer salaries usually range from SEK 380,000 to 500,000 per year gross (Levels.fyi shows entry around SEK 412,000–502,000 nationally, a bit higher in Stockholm at SEK 473,000–543,000).

That means monthly gross about SEK 32,000–42,000.

Some reports (like older Leverage Edu) put entry closer to SEK 300,000–400,000, but crowd data from 2025 leans toward the higher end.

It’s a solid start — enough to cover rent and fun while you build your portfolio. No one expects you to be a wizard yet!

Mid-level Software Developer Compensation

This is the sweet spot for most software engineers in Sweden — 4–8 years of experience.

Expect SEK 520,000–700,000 annually, or roughly SEK 43,000–58,000 per month gross.

Levels.fyi overall ranges fit here (national SEK 540,000–761,000 total comp), and Unionen stats for mid-difficulty roles often land SEK 45,000–60,000 monthly.

Stockholm mid-level? Often pushes toward the top of that range thanks to big tech.

Comfortable pay — weekends free, bills paid, maybe even a nice vacation abroad once a year.

Senior Software Engineer Pay Ranges

Aspect	Details / Explanation
Got 8+ years and solid impact?	Senior software engineer salary in Sweden typically hits SEK 620,000–900,000+ per year. Experience really pays the rent here — big jump from junior levels where ranges start much lower.
Stockholm specifics (Levels.fyi, late 2025/early 2026)	Stockholm seniors range SEK 662,000–919,000 total comp (updated data shows median SEK 746,612, 25th percentile SEK 662K, 75th SEK 925K, 90th up to SEK 1.09M). Tech hubs like Spotify, Klarna, King, and big tech branches drive the upper ends with bonuses and occasional equity.
National Sweden (Levels.fyi)	Seniors sit around SEK 631,000–884,000 total comp (median SEK 706,139, 25th SEK 641K, 75th SEK 843K). Outside Stockholm (e.g., Gothenburg, Malmö), expect 5–15% lower on average, though strong remote roles can match capital pay.
Monthly gross breakdown	SEK 52,000–76,000+ (based on annual ranges divided by 12; higher end reflects strong performers or bonuses).
Glassdoor Stockholm insight	Stockholm seniors in the SEK 60,000–77,000 monthly ballpark (25th–75th percentile, often base-focused with some bonuses/profit sharing). Aligns with Levels.fyi for mid-to-high seniors in competitive companies.

Highest and Lowest Pay Ranges by Seniority

Quick extremes (based on real 2025-2026 submissions):

• Junior/Entry: Lowest ~SEK 380,000 / year (some fresh grads lower), highest ~SEK 540,000 (Stockholm + strong offers).
• Mid-level: Lowest around SEK 450,000–500,000, highest pushing SEK 750,000–800,000 (with bonuses/stock).
• Senior: Lowest ~SEK 600,000–650,000, but top end can hit SEK 900,000–1M+ (especially at Google or big unicorns — Levels.fyi shows L5 up to SEK 1.39M in some cases).

Unionen data keeps it grounded: monthly from SEK 35,500 (lowest difficulty/entry) up to SEK 70,500 (high-responsibility senior).

Bottom line? Seniority = serious money in Sweden tech.

Salary by Company

Which company you pick can change your software engineer salary in Sweden a lot.

Big names and unicorns pay top dollar, especially with bonuses and stock.

Most data comes from fresh 2025-2026 reports on Levels.fyi and Glassdoor — real people sharing what they actually get.

Top Paying Companies in Sweden

Spotify sits at the top for software engineer salary in Sweden.

Levels.fyi shows average total comp around SEK 997,000 to 1,005,000 per year — that’s often SEK 80,000+ monthly gross for mid-to-senior roles.

They lead the pack nationally, with packages going up to SEK 1.49M for staff-level engineers.

Klarna follows close behind — strong fintech pay, with senior averages around SEK 698,000 total (Glassdoor monthly estimates SEK 44,000–65,000).

Ericsson is solid but usually lower — senior around SEK 588,000.

Other mentions like King (gaming) or Paradox Interactive pop up in popular lists, but they don’t hit the same highs as Spotify.

Stockholm-based unicorns push the ceiling — funny how a music app pays better than old-school telecom giants!

Top Paying Companies in Stockholm Specifically

Stockholm is where the money flows fastest.

Spotify again dominates — highest average SEK 1,002,663 total comp for software engineers in Greater Stockholm (Levels.fyi, updated early 2026).

Overall Stockholm range: SEK 553,000–802,000 average, but top spots like Spotify pull way higher.

Klarna keeps it competitive here too — monthly totals often SEK 47,000–65,000 (25th–75th percentile on Glassdoor).

Ericsson shows up in Stockholm listings, but pay stays more moderate (around SEK 50,000–60,000 monthly for many roles).

Popular Companies for Software Engineers and Their Compensation

Sweden’s tech scene has some real crowd-pleasers — places people actually want to work at.

• Spotify — Music streaming king. Super popular, great culture, and top pay (averages SEK 997K+ total, higher for seniors).
• Klarna — Fintech unicorn. Loved for innovation, solid comp (SEK 698K senior average, monthly around SEK 48K–65K).
• Ericsson — Telecom giant. Stable job, good benefits, but pay more traditional (SEK 500K–700K range).
• King — Candy Crush makers. Gaming fun, competitive but not always the highest.
• Paradox Interactive or Mojang (Minecraft folks) — Gaming scene favorites, great for creative types, pay solid mid-range.

These companies keep popping up in 2025-2026 “best places” lists — Spotify and Klarna win for pay + excitement.

Bottom line? Go for big unicorns if you want max salaries in Sweden for software engineers — stock and bonuses make a huge difference.

Taxes still bite (grab a Sweden salary tax calculator), but working at these spots feels like winning the lottery compared to average gigs.

Salary by Specialization and Technology

Your tech skills can seriously boost (or limit) your software engineer salary in Sweden.

Specializing in hot areas pays off — companies fight for talent in certain stacks.

Let’s look at the real differences using 2025-2026 data from Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, PayScale, and industry reports.

Remote Software Engineer Salaries in Sweden

Remote work is growing, but pay stays pretty close to on-site in Sweden.

Remote devs expect around $68,000 USD yearly (roughly SEK 700,000–750,000 depending on exchange rates) based on self-reported data from platforms like Arc.

That’s similar to national averages (SEK 540,000–761,000 total comp from Levels.fyi).

Many companies offer hybrid or full remote now, especially post-pandemic, but Stockholm-based roles still pull the highest numbers.

Pro tip: Remote gigs from international firms (even if you’re in Sweden) can sometimes pay more — but taxes and benefits stay Swedish.

Salary Breakdown by Technical Expertise/Technology Stack

Certain stacks command higher pay because demand outruns supply.

From Levels.fyi and other crowd data:

• Full-Stack — Very popular, averages around SEK 600,000–800,000 yearly (Glassdoor Stockholm full-stack often SEK 44,000–104,000 monthly range).
• Backend — Solid, similar to full-stack, around SEK 650,000–850,000 total comp.
• DevOps / Cloud — Hot right now — often 10–20% higher, pushing SEK 700,000–900,000+ (especially with AWS/Azure/Kubernetes certs).
• Data / Analytics — Good bump, averages SEK 650,000–850,000.
• Machine Learning / AI — Top tier — premiums of 10–15% over general roles, sometimes SEK 800,000+ for specialists.

Popular Skills That Affect Compensation

These skills make recruiters excited (and offers bigger):

• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• DevOps tools (Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD)
• AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Cybersecurity knowledge
• Modern languages like Go, Rust, or TypeScript

Reports show AI/ML and cloud specialists see the fastest growth — demand jumped big in 2025.

Certifications help too — AWS Certified Developer or similar can justify asking for more.

Salary Reports by Specific Technologies

Fresh breakdowns (Levels.fyi and similar 2025-2026):

• Full-Stack Software Engineer — Around SEK 71,000 USD equivalent (~SEK 730,000).
• Backend Software Engineer — Close behind at SEK 70,000 USD (~SEK 720,000).
• Machine Learning Engineer — SEK 70,000 USD average, but seniors higher.
• Security Software Engineer — Often highest, up to SEK 91,000 USD (~SEK 950,000+).
• Data Engineer — Strong, around SEK 700,000–850,000.

Specialized roles like blockchain or embedded systems pop up less, but pay well in niches (gaming, fintech).

Also read: What is The Software Engineer Salary in South Korea

Compensation and Benefits

Money isn’t just about the paycheck when you’re a software engineer in Sweden.

The real picture includes what you take home after taxes, plus all those extras that make life easier.

Let’s break it down honestly — using fresh 2025-2026 numbers from Levels.fyi and other reports.

Base Salary vs Total Compensation

Most people talk about total compensation (base + bonus + stock), not just base pay.

In Sweden, the average salary for software engineer in Sweden is around SEK 520,000–760,000 yearly total comp (Levels.fyi puts median near SEK 656,000).

Base salary usually makes up the bulk — often SEK 450,000–650,000 for mid-level roles.

Bonuses add 5–15%, and stock (RSUs) can push it higher, especially at places like Spotify (where total comp averages SEK 1M+).

Funny part? In smaller Swedish companies, stock might be tiny or nonexistent — so total comp feels closer to base.

At big tech or unicorns? Stock makes the difference between “good” and “wow” money.

Always ask for the full package breakdown in offers!

Common Health Benefits for Software Developers

Sweden takes care of you — literally.

Healthcare is mostly free through taxes (public system covers doctor visits, hospital stays, meds).

Many employers add extras: private health insurance for faster specialist access, dental plans (dental is not fully covered publicly), or wellness allowances (gym, massage, etc.).

Sick leave? Generous — up to 80–90% pay for long periods.

Parental leave is huge: 480 days shared per kid, with good pay.

It’s why people say the average salary in Sweden for software engineer goes further — no surprise medical bills!

Additional Perks and Benefits Packages

Swedish tech jobs love perks that boost work-life balance.

Common ones:

• 5–6 weeks paid vacation (law says minimum 25 days, many give more).
• Flexible hours + remote/hybrid options (post-pandemic standard).
• Pension contributions (employer adds 4–6% extra).
• Wellness budgets (gym, home office setup).
• Free lunches, snacks, or meal vouchers at many spots.
• At Spotify or Klarna? Think unlimited PTO vibes, learning budgets, or even sabbaticals.

Ericsson might offer more traditional stability perks.

Bottom line: Perks make the salaries in Sweden for software engineers feel richer than raw numbers show.

Labour Market Sector Comparisons (2024–2025)

Tech pays well compared to most sectors.

In 2024–2025, IT/software roles average higher than national figures — around SEK 50,000–60,000 monthly gross vs overall average salary in Sweden (~SEK 38,000–45,000).

Finance and healthcare specialists can match or beat it, but tech wins for growth and demand.

Unionen data shows steady 4–6% rises in IT, thanks to shortages.

Other sectors (retail, manufacturing) lag behind.

Tech’s the place if you want upward movement fast.

Career Development and Salary Growth

Want more money as a software engineer in Sweden?

It’s doable — but it takes smart moves.

Experience and skills are your best friends here.

How Software Engineers Can Increase Their Salary

Best way? Switch companies every 2–4 years.

Job-hoppers often see 15–30% jumps (Levels.fyi and PayScale confirm this).

Negotiate hard — use competing offers.

Internal promotions help too, but slower (5–10% bumps).

Get certified or learn hot stuff — it justifies asking for more.

Many people double their pay in 5–7 years by moving strategically.

Popular Career Paths for Advancement

Start junior → mid-level (4–8 years) → senior (8+).

From there:

• Tech lead / engineering manager (management track, higher pay).
• Staff/principal engineer (deep technical, big impact).
• Specialist roles (AI/ML, cloud architect).
• Consultant or freelance (higher rates, but less security).

Big companies like Spotify offer clear ladders — switch to them for faster growth.

Skills That Impact Earning Potential

Hot skills = bigger checks:

• Cloud (AWS, Azure, Kubernetes) — 10–20% premium.
• AI/ML (TensorFlow, PyTorch) — top earners often here.
• DevOps tools (Docker, CI/CD).
• Modern languages (Go, Rust, TypeScript).
• Cybersecurity basics.

Learn these, and your senior software engineer salary in Sweden can hit SEK 800,000–1M+.

Market Insights

The software engineer world in Sweden isn’t just about numbers — it’s also about who gets hired, where, and how fair things feel.

Let’s look at the real picture from recent 2024-2025 data. Sweden leads in equality, but gaps still exist.

Gender Breakdown and Pay Equity Statistics

Sweden ranks high in gender equality worldwide, but tech isn’t perfect yet.

In the overall job market, women earn about 95% of what men do (Statista 2022-2023 data, still relevant).

Unadjusted gender pay gap sits around 10-17% (Ravio and other reports 2025), with tech showing similar patterns.

In European tech, Sweden has one of the lower unadjusted gaps at ~17%, but adjusted (same role/level) it’s around 2.5%.

Women make up less in leadership — only about 17% in Swedish tech companies (Ravio 2025).

That means fewer women in high-paying senior spots, which widens the overall gap.

Good news? Laws push transparency hard — EU Pay Transparency Directive means more reporting soon (full rules by 2026-2027).

Companies with 5%+ unexplained gap must fix it.

It’s progress, but tech still feels male-heavy. Many folks joke: “Sweden’s equal… except when counting senior devs!”

English Proficiency Requirements and Impact on Salary

Most software engineer jobs in Sweden need good English — it’s the main language in tech.

Big companies like Spotify or Klarna run everything in English.

Swedish helps for smaller local firms or daily life, but it’s not a must for salary.

No strong data shows big pay difference based on language alone — pay ties more to skills, experience, and location.

International talent floods in because English is enough.

If you’re fluent in English, you’re set — many non-Swedes earn top software engineer salary in Stockholm without perfect Swedish.

Funny how a global language opens doors without extra krona!

Hiring Market Trends by Location

Aspect / Statistic	Details / Explanation
Stockholm rules the tech hiring game	Around 56-69% of software engineer job openings land there (Agency Partners and other 2025 reports). Highest concentration of companies (Spotify, Klarna, King, Ericsson, big tech branches).
Gothenburg	Follows with 19-26% of postings. Strong in automotive/tech (Volvo Cars, Zenseact), gaming, and industrial software. Growing steadily.
Malmö	At 9-11%. Benefits from proximity to Copenhagen (cross-border talent pool), medtech/startup scene, and lower living costs. Fast growth in recent years.
Demand by experience level	Stays strong for mid-senior roles (66% of postings target 3+ years experience). Juniors/entry-level harder to land without standout portfolios or bootcamp creds.
Work model trends (Ravio 2026)	Hybrid wins big — 75% of tech companies offer hybrid arrangements. 49% offer full remote options (up significantly from pre-2023).
Fully onsite	Only about 19% of roles require full office presence. Remote/hybrid flexibility is now the norm in Swedish tech.
Location impact	Stockholm pulls the most opportunities and highest pay, but remote lets you live cheaper elsewhere (e.g., Gothenburg, Malmö, or even smaller towns with lower rent).
Market competitiveness	Competitive overall — tech demand high, especially in AI, cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP), backend (Java/Python/Node), full-stack, and DevOps. Talent shortage in specialized areas keeps openings active.
City growth trends	Stockholm’s the hotspot, but Gothenburg and Malmö grow fast (more startups, international hires, and cost-of-living advantages).
Bottom line	Location matters for openings (Stockholm leads), but flexibility grows (remote/hybrid opens doors nationwide).
Practical tip	Use a Sweden salary tax calculator to see what sticks after taxes, no matter where you base — taxes are progressive (~30–45% effective for mid-senior ranges), but you get excellent public services in return.

Frequently Asked Questions (Short Version)

Conclusion

Wrapping up our deep dive into software engineer salary in Sweden — here’s the honest takeaway.

Sweden offers solid pay for software engineers. The average salary for software engineer in Sweden lands between SEK 520,000 and 760,000 per year (total comp). Stockholm pushes it higher — often SEK 550,000–800,000+. Juniors start around SEK 380,000–500,000, seniors comfortably hit SEK 620,000–900,000 (and more at places like Spotify).

Taxes take a chunk (30–35%), but you get free healthcare, long vacations, great parental leave, and weekends that actually feel like weekends. Most people say the lifestyle more than makes up for the lower take-home compared to some other countries.