PhD salary in Sweden -

Sweden, renowned for its exceptional quality of life, progressive values, free healthcare, and robust social welfare system, also stands as an educational beacon, attracting students and researchers from across the globe. For those aspiring to attain advanced academic qualifications, Sweden beckons with generous financial support for doctoral students. In this post, we delve into the average PhD salary and highlight the most lucrative study fields in Sweden.

Funding Doctoral Education in Sweden

Sweden’s publicly funded education system paves the way for diverse funding opportunities for doctoral students. Aspiring PhD scholars can pursue scholarships or opt for employment as doctoral candidates or research assistants within the university. While doctoral candidates are typically university employees with monthly salaries, research assistants are hired on a project basis.

However, funding avenues for doctoral studies extend beyond universities. The Swedish Research Council and other funding organizations provide grants and scholarships spanning various fields. Additionally, Sweden’s government champions research and development through initiatives such as the Strategic Research Areas program and the Research and Innovation bill.

Understanding the Average Salary in Sweden

Sweden boasts one of Europe’s highest average salaries, with PhD student salaries varying based on the field of study, experience, and funding source. According to the Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers (SULF), the average monthly gross salary for doctoral students in 2021 stood at SEK 35,000 (approximately USD 4,080), with an average net salary of SEK 27,400 (approximately USD 3,210) after income tax and social security contributions.

Let’s explore the salary ladders for PhD students across different study fields:

Salary ladder for PhD students in Sweden:

Starting salary: SEK 27,700 (USD 3,215)
Year 2: SEK 28,500 (USD 3,307)
Year 3: SEK 29,700 (USD 3,447)
50%: SEK 30,700 (USD 3,563)
80%: SEK 33,500 (USD 3,888)

Salary ladder for PhD students with a medical degree:

Starting salary: SEK 32,000 (USD 3,714)
Year 2: SEK 32,800 (USD 3,806)
Year 3: SEK 34,000 (USD 3,946)
50%: SEK 35,000 (USD 4,062)
80%: SEK 37,800 (USD 4,387)

Salary ladder for doctoral students who are registered doctors:

Starting salary: SEK 34,000 (USD 3,946)
Year 2: SEK 34,800 (USD 4,039)
Year 3: SEK 36,000 (USD 4,178)
50%: SEK 37,700 (USD 4,375)
80%: SEK 39,800 (USD 4,619)

Unveiling the Highest-Paid PhD Fields in Sweden

The salary landscape for doctoral students unfolds differently across fields of study. Traditionally, the highest-paid PhD students gravitate towards engineering, natural sciences, and technology. According to SULF’s report, the highest average gross salary in 2021 belonged to engineering doctoral students, with an impressive SEK 38,800 (approximately USD 4,540) per month. Natural sciences followed closely at SEK 38,200 (approximately USD 4,470), with technology at SEK 37,400 (approximately USD 4,380) per month.

Conversely, humanities and social sciences typically feature lower PhD student salaries. In humanities, the average gross salary was SEK 31,200 (approximately USD 3,650) per month, while social sciences stood at SEK 33,000 (approximately USD 3,860) per month.

It’s essential to note that PhD student salaries may also fluctuate based on funding type. Doctoral candidates employed by universities as research assistants often receive higher salaries compared to those on scholarships.

Open Academic Positions at Swedish Universities

In the following list, you can find out available fully funded PhD and Postdoctoral Positions in Sweden.