Swedish manager pay varies widely: report

A new report from Ledarna, Swedens organization for managers, presented Wednesday, shows a large discrepancy between managers in city areas and their countryside counterparts, as well as between the public and the private sector.

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Women are also paid less than men in the same position, according to the report.

Stockholm county has the most well paid managers in the country with an average of 40,400 kronor ($6,400) per month, whereas managers in the county of Kalmar in southern Sweden earns the least at 33,900 kronor.

According to Annika Elias, chairwoman of Ledarna, there is more work in the larger city areas - more managerial posts with high salaries and more demand for managers. Salaries are therefore competitive.

“We have seen that you can increase your salary by changing jobs. It is easier to ‘sell’ yourself and evaluate your competencies when you change your position,” Elias told The Local.

The Swedish labour market is meanwhile showing signs of improvement in line with the strengthening of the economy, not least for managers.

At the same time Sweden is heading towards a lack of manpower, which in its turn could threaten economic growth, according to the report.

The competition for competent managers will get fiercer and the next generation leaders are demanding a more modern managerial role.

“Young managers of today want to be able to influence their positions and they require different things from their employers than the previous generations. There is a greater need for flexibility from the employers' side,” Elias told The Local.

And this will prove more important in the public sector where salaries traditionally are lower. According to Elias, the lack of flexibility in the public sector is a worrying factor.

“In order to attract competent managers the roles have to be more attractive, salaries are not the only thing that matters,” she said.

The report also showed that the average Swedish female manager earns 1,700 kronor less a month than her male counterpart. This is not so surprising according to Elias.

“That is unfortunately the way it looks today. We see it both reflected in salary statistics and the number of women in Sweden in high managerial posts," said Elias.

One of the reasons behind this is that society’s view of leadership is closely associated with men. Another reason is that companies in Sweden need to focus more on the individual achievement of their employees. But changes take time.

According to Elias it is possible for women to improve their situation.

“Change jobs and demand more. Choose companies that really have a prominent equality profile, “ Elias told The Local.

According to the report, the average manager in Sweden today earns 36,500 kronor a month. Sales managers and marketing directors earn the most where restaurant managers and school dinner managers have the lowest salaries.