Jobs in Sweden for Americans

In Sweden, plentiful job opportunities for English speakers lie in the fields of education, child care, and tourism. Individuals proficient in English can explore job prospects as English teachers, English au pairs, or flight attendants. There are also opportunities as English-speaking tour guides.

Are you an American interested in exploring the Scandinavian country? Are you wondering how you can ensure your healthcare will be in good hands when in Sweden? If so, you’ll be interested in learning more about health insurance in Sweden and international health insurance for expats in Sweden.

Jobs for Americans in Sweden

Americans who want to work in Sweden will need to get a work permit and will be competing for jobs with European Union (EU) citizens as well as Swedish citizens. However, there are still job opportunities in Sweden for Americans, especially in highly-skilled fields, tourism, and education.

One of the benefits of working in Sweden for American women is that women in Sweden earn 95% of what their male counterparts make, and that’s one of the most equitable salary differences in the world.

Sweden is also notorious for its more generous family leave policies and subsidized childcare for taxpayers. That means that Sweden is a great place for expats seeking more work-family-life balance.

Speaking Swedish will give you an edge on job applications, but speaking more than one language is another way to be competitive without knowing Swedish. Job opportunities for English-only speakers will be limited.

English Speaking Jobs in Sweden

The majority of English-speaking jobs in Sweden are in education, child care, and tourism. English speakers can find work as an English teacher, an English au pair, or a flight attendant. Other jobs include English-speaking tour guides. Some business fields will also have jobs for English speakers.

Many jobs in entertainment, education, or seasonal work have special work visa requirements in Sweden. 

Another place to look for English-speaking jobs is the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm. To qualify for this type of job, you must be able to obtain security clearance once hired. You must also have a GED or high school diploma and some experience working in an office.

Specific requirements will vary, but current listings can be found on the U.S. Embassy website.

How to Get a Job in Sweden as an American

In order to work in Sweden as an American citizen, you must obtain a work permit from the Swedish government. Sweden has the following website as a resource for non-EU citizens seeking to move to Sweden. The website can be displayed in multiple languages for convenience.

As an American seeking a work permit, you must have an employment contract in Sweden to apply for and be granted one.

The following website, Arbetsformedlingen, is available for public use and browsing with no need to create a login or username in order to explore resources in Sweden.

Some of the best ways to find a job include networking. If you have a contact at a Swedish company, they may be able to serve as a reference or help pass application materials to their contacts within the business.

Job seekers may want to try looking for jobs on popular websites like

• Indeed (This is the Swedish site)
• Linked In 
• Glassdoor

It’s also important for American expats and foreign nationals in Sweden to be aware of Sweden’s efforts to reduce and limit migration to the country. Although Sweden has a reputation for accepting migrants and asylum-seekers, the government has found it necessary to make adjustments.

Highest Paying Jobs in Sweden

Americans hoping to earn high salaries will need experience and/or degrees in a specialized field. The highest-paying jobs in Sweden tend to be in the private sector, usually in business and finance. There is not a large gap in average pay between the private and public sectors in Sweden.

In the private sector, the average monthly salary was 38,000 SEK, which is about USD $3,500. In the public sector, the average monthly pay was 36,000 SEK, or roughly USD $3,300. Looking for a similar position in a private entity is the best way to seek out higher salaries in Sweden.

The highest-earning fields in Sweden include the following:

• High-level managers in banking, finance, and insurance (About USD $13,350 per month)
• Directors at the general, county, and municipal levels (About USD $9,200 per month)
• Financial brokers (About USD $8,400 per month)
• Managing directors and similar titles (About USD $8,050 per month)
• Chief financial officers (About USD $7,860 per month)
• Specialized doctors (About USD $7,670 per month)
• Managers for information, communications, and PR (About USD $7,520 per month)
• Lower-level managers in banking, finance, and insurance (About USD $7,490 per month)
• Managers in research and development (About USD $7,230 per month)
• Managers in building and construction (About USD $7,190 per month)

Compared to the United States, Sweden does not have as large of a salary gap between the highest and lowest wages. That’s because the highest earners in Sweden do not make as much as the highest earners in the United States.

Popular Jobs in Sweden

Popular or in-demand jobs in Sweden are the ideal fields for Americans because obtaining a work visa in these fields is easier. Swedish Immigration officials are more likely to approve the application because there may be a shortage of workers in Sweden already for the positions.

According to the Swedish Immigration guide, these are the most in-demand positions in Sweden:

• Information Technology(IT) Positions:
  • Information Technology Operations Technicians
  • Information Technology Support Engineers
  • System Administrators
  • System analysts and IT architects
  • System managers
  • Troubleshooters: System Testers and Test Managers
  • Developers and Analysts for Software and Applications
• Engineering Positions
  • Electrotechnology Engineers
  • Electrical Engineering Technicians
  • Chemical Engineers & Technicians
  • Production Planning, Industrial, and Logistics Engineers & Technicians
  • Mechanical Engineers & Technicians
  • Civil Engineers
  • Water Supply Works Operations Technicians
  • Heat Production Plant Operations Technicians
• Science & Medicine Fields
• Construction
• Translation
• Teaching

Living And Working in Sweden

Living and working in Sweden as an American will require some adjustments. Some of these will be positive, and others may be difficult, depending on the expat and their experience and preferences. In general, Sweden is considered an enjoyable place to live with a high quality of life.

Keep in mind that you will need to pay taxes in Sweden. Many expats find working with a financial expert helpful. Make sure your consultant knows about international working and living.

Cost of Living in Sweden Versus the United States

Even though Sweden has a lower average after-tax salary than the United States, the subsidized healthcare and other benefits keep the cost of living lower. Rent is another major budget category that is more affordable in Sweden than in the US.

According to crowd-sourced data, we were able to offer the following snapshots into the cost of living differences: Sweden’s average after-tax salary is 61.2% of America’s average after-tax salary. However, the US is the 7th most expensive country to live in, and Sweden is the 28th most expensive.

For a more in-depth comparison of the cost of living differences between the United States and Sweden, see our Guide to Living Abroad in Sweden.

Practical and Cultural Differences Between the US and Sweden

Sweden uses different currency and metric measurements, which will be some of the most immediate and obvious differences. For example, the United States will measure and sell gasoline by the gallon, but it will be sold in liters in Sweden.

Here are some other differences that Americans may note about Sweden:

• Removing your shoes when you enter someone’s home is a practical way many cultures outside the United States use to keep homes cleaner. This is also true in Sweden.
• The work hierarchy is less formal in Sweden, so it’s easier to talk to upper management, even in entry-level positions.
• Another way the friendlier work culture in Sweden can be seen is the tradition of bringing made-from-scratch, home-baked goods to the office. 
• Alcohol is not available for sale all day every day, and private businesses don’t sell alcohol.
• Sweden has longer and darker winters than most US locations. However, they are more likely to go outdoors in all types of weather than Americans.
• In Sweden, people are less prone to exaggerations and more sincere with the meaning behind their words.
• Swedes are more likely to take a break, or gap year, between high school and college. They may work in a low-wage job in order to fund international travel and explore career options.

Healthcare In Sweden For Americans

As an American, you’ll need to ensure your health insurance coverage in Sweden. Long-term residents with a residency permit will enjoy subsidized and affordable healthcare in Sweden. Your employer may also cover private health insurance.

Most of the healthcare facilities in Sweden are run by the government. There are few private medical clinics and facilities, but the ones that do exist have shorter wait times.

For short-term workers and residents of Sweden, you may want to find an international health insurance plan with coverage in Sweden. If you have questions or concerns, contact an insurance expert.

Conclusion

There are employment opportunities in Sweden for Americans, particularly Americans in the science and engineering fields. Speaking some Swedish or at least a second language will make you more competitive in the job market. The lower cost of living and high quality of life make Sweden fabulous.

Most of the healthcare facilities in Sweden are run by the government. There are few private medical clinics and facilities, but the ones that do exist have shorter wait times.

As an American, you’ll need to ensure your health insurance coverage in Sweden is adequate. Long-term residents with a residency permit will enjoy subsidized and affordable healthcare in Sweden. Your employer may also cover private health insurance.

For short-term workers and residents of Sweden, you may want to find an international health insurance plan with coverage in Sweden. If you have questions or concerns, contact an insurance expert.

If you’re unsure about the job prospects in Sweden, or you would like to explore more options, particularly English-speaking jobs abroad, check out more information about jobs for American expats in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

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Martin Lee

Content Creator at Pacific Prime

Martin is a writer and translator with over 10 years of experience. He writes articles and blog posts, creates infographics and videos, translates between Chinese and English, and more. Skilled at explaining complicated concepts in layman’s terms, Martin believes the gold standard of translation is attained when the translated text is not only accurate, but also reads like an original text. Martin holds a degree in Economics from the University of London, UK.

Since joining Pacific Prime, Martin has become even more aware of the gap between the true value of insurance products and most people’s appreciation of it, and developed a passion for demystifying and simplifying matters, so that more people get the protection they need at a cost they can easily afford.

In his free time, Martin attends concerts of various genres, and plays the violin with piano accompaniment he pre-recorded himself or played live by his niece.

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