Employer cost in Sweden at different salaries
| Salary level | Gross salary | Employer SSC | Total employer cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67% of AW | 373,226 SEK | 31.4% | 490,493 SEK |
| 100% of AW | 557,053 SEK | 31.4% | 732,079 SEK |
| 167% of AW | 930,279 SEK | 31.4% | 1,222,572 SEK |
Worked example
The OECD average wage in Sweden for 2025 is 557,053 SEK (about $66,356 in US-dollar purchasing power). On top of that salary the employer pays social security contributions of 31.4%, or 175,026 SEK. That brings the statutory total to 732,079 SEK a year (61,007 SEK a month), or 352 SEK per hour at 2,080 hours. In 2024 the rate at the average wage was 31.4%, so it was essentially unchanged. The rate stays at about 31.4% even at 167% of the average wage, so it scales with pay.
Sweden ranks #6 of 38 OECD countries for employer contributions at the average wage (OECD average: 16.6%). Employer contributions are a substantial extra cost to budget for.
Sources: OECD Taxing Wages 2025, comparative indicators (single worker, no children; average wage as defined by the OECD for each country) and OECD, Non-tax compulsory payments as an additional burden on labour income in 2025 (Tables 5 and 6) for mandatory pension and insurance payments that are not classed as taxes, such as Australian superannuation. Model estimates: voluntary benefits, local caps and sector-specific schemes are not included.
Related
Frequently asked questions
How much does an employee cost in Sweden?
At the OECD average wage of 557,053 SEK, about 732,079 SEK a year including 31.4% employer social security (2025).
What are employer social security contributions in Sweden?
About 31.4% of gross pay at the average wage, 31.4% at 67% and 31.4% at 167% of it (OECD model).