Jobs in Sweden: Top Companies, Salaries & Visa

If you are looking for a country that offers ample work-life balance and hefty pay, then Sweden is your dream destination. With one of the highest employment rates in Europe at around 77.5%  (as per the OECD report), this Scandinavian country is known for its healthy work culture, high living standards, progressive labor rights, and easy immigration processes. Read on to learn how to secure jobs in Sweden, average salaries, the application process, and more. 

Best Courses to Study for Securing Jobs in Sweden

Sweden offers multiple courses that offer comprehensive learning opportunities. This further allows you to concertize your position in the global job market. 

If you are passionate about computer science and technology, then Sweden boasts some of the best technology-focused universities, such as KTH Royal Institute of Technology, where you can pursue courses such as a BSc in Information and Communication Technology, MSc in Computer Science, and MSc in Cybersecurity. These courses equip you with the necessary technical knowledge to thrive in Sweden’s competitive IT industry. 

Similarly, Karolinska Institutet in the country consistently ranks as one of the best universities globally for medicine and health sciences. Here, students can pursue futuristic courses such as the Bachelor’s program in Biomedicine, the Master’s Program in Global Health, and the Master’s program in Translational Physiology and Pharmacology. 

Completing such advanced courses at reputed Swedish universities can position you for lucrative career opportunities in Sweden.

Additionally, you can also pursue courses in the teaching field and acquire teaching certification from the National Agency for Education in Sweden. It can help you build a career in the education sector.

You must be highly skilled and possess relevant qualifications from reputed universities to acquire career opportunities in Sweden. The country has several top-notch institutions, with eight appearing in the QS World University Rankings 2024. Pursuing your education in Sweden also offers a doorway to secure coveted jobs in the country, as students can extend their residence permit for 12 months after completing their studies. Thus, you can easily look for employment in Sweden during this period.

If you have completed your education in your home country, then you will require a work permit to start your job in Sweden. 

Employment Sector in Sweden

Sweden hosts one of the most robust job markets in the world and is known for its progressive work environment and practices. Regarding job openings in Sweden, most opportunities are available in areas that require specific skills, like

• Information Technology- Sweden  accounts for around 40% of IT spending in Nordic countries, as per a report by NASSCOM. The country offers  a lot of opportunities in the IT sector, with players like Ericsson and Skype headquartered or founded in the country. In fact, Statista projects that the sector will reach a value of SEK139.792 billion in 2024. 
• Automotive- Popular automobile manufacturers like Volvo and Scania are based in Sweden. The country also pioneers the application of clean technology, offering impressive career prospects for individuals with backgrounds in this field.
• Business, Finance, and Consulting- The business sector in Sweden’s financial capital,  Stockholm, boasts some of the largest fintech companies and headquarters of leading global and national banks. Thereby providing ample opportunities for finance enthusiasts.  Moreover, the country offers lucrative jobs for budding consultants, with the sector expecting to reach a value of SEK8.28 billion by 2025, as per Statista.
• Education and Teaching- The Education and Training Monitor Report 2023 by the European Commission suggests that there is a significant shortage of skilled school teachers, and the country will need 1,53,000 qualified teachers by 2035. If you have a teaching background, Sweden offers plentiful opportunities for a rewarding career. 
• Tourism Industry- With a compounded annual growth rate of 1.54%, Sweden’s travel and tourism industry is fast expanding and is expected to reach a value of SEK65.228 billion by 2028, according to Statista. This highlights the tremendous scope for aspirants to work in the hospitality industry.
• Healthcare- Healthcare is one of the largest job sectors in Sweden, employing 7,35,800 workers in 2022, as per Statista. To work as a healthcare provider in Sweden, you will need to obtain Swedish authorization issued by the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen). 

Average Salaries for Various Jobs in Sweden

Sweden's high cost of living has influenced the demand for higher salaries across different sectors. The average monthly salary for workers in Sweden amounts to SEK 31,400. This, however, can vary depending on the level of experience and job sector. 

Here is a list of average salaries people get in popular job positions in Sweden:

Source: Glassdoor (as of January 2024)

Documents Required for Applying forWork Permit in Sweden

Acquiring a work permit is compulsory if you seek employment in Sweden. To obtain a Swedish work permit, you must fulfill the following requirements- 

• You must have a valid passport from your home country (India). 
• You must possess an employment offer from a Swedish company. 
• You must provide a copy of the job contract, signed by both parties.
• The job offered to you must have been advertised in the European Union (EU) and EEA (European Economic Area) for at least ten days. 
• This job must provide a minimum salary of SEK 13,000/ month prior to taxes. 
• The terms of employment must correspond to the Swedish collective agreements.
• The company must provide you with insurance covering employment, health, life, and pension.

How to Secure Jobs in Sweden 

There are several ways to secure a job in Sweden. These include: 

• Job listings: Start looking for career opportunities in Sweden through government-run agencies like the Swedish Public Employment Service, EURES (European Employment Services) portal, etc. Additionally, there are some renowned recruitment agencies like Hays, Manpower, JobbSafari, and more. These agencies allow you to explore job openings in Sweden and apply for them remotely. You can directly send in your CV for the jobs that are of interest. 
• Internships: Finding internship opportunities with Swedish companies can also help you secure full-time employment there. Internships can help you build professional connections and expand your network, eventually getting job offers. You can shortlist companies offering internship opportunities and connect with them to apply. 
• Approach employers: You can directly approach employers in Sweden you wish to work for. Enquire about any internship offer they may be able to provide. 
• The labor shortage list: The Swedish Migration Agency compiles a list of jobs that are in high demand along with the Public Employment Service. You can check out these jobs because if selected for such positions, you can apply for your work permit directly from Sweden instead of returning to your home country. 

Once you secure a job and the company confirms your employment, you can collect the documents and apply for a work permit. As a foreign worker, you will require a long-term working visa to move to Sweden.

Acquiring personal medical insurance to cover medical expenses in an emergency is also recommended. Ensure that the insurance is applicable in all Schengen countries. 

5 Top Recruiters in Sweden

Sweden is home to several well-known companies that offer attractive pay structures. Here are some of the top companies in Sweden that also recruit talents from across the world-

• Spotify:

A leading audio streaming company, Spotify also offers attractive compensation for its employees. Top roles in the company include senior software engineer
(SEK 743K–923K/yr) and senior product manager (SEK 850K–SEK 1M/yr).

• Ericsson:

Ericsson is a renowned brand in the telecommunications industry. Some of the leading positions in the company include software developer (SEK 3L–6L/yr) and
project manager (SEK 5L– 8L/yr).

• Northvolt

Northvolt is a reputed battery manufacturer and producer, offering lucrative opportunities to individuals with  a background in chemical engineering and material science. Top roles in the company include engineering manager (SEK7L–SEK9L/yr) and software engineer
(SEK5L–SEK7L/yr).

• AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a multinational biotechnology and pharmaceutical company dedicated to producing novel pharmaceutical products. Some of the top positions include associate principal scientist (SEK657K–SEK750K/yr) and senior research scientist (SEK 510K–SEK 604K/yr). 

• Mckinsey & Company

A renowned multinational management consulting firm, the company hires skilled consultants from around the globe. The leading roles in the company include engagement manager (SEK 12L–SEK 21L/ yr) and consultant (SEK 3L–SEK 12L/yr).

Conclusion

Sweden can be a great option if you are looking to establish your career abroad. With a thriving job market that offers varied employment prospects, it is ideal for professionals from different fields. Securing education at the best Swedish universities can be the first step in that direction. To get started, get in touch with us. 

Disclaimer: All salaries mentioned above are subject to change