Image that illustrates Database designer

Database designer

54 900 kr

Software and system developers etc.

40 000 - 61 600 kr / month

Women earn 95% of what men do.

Data/IT

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Database designer

Average salary 54 900 kr
Males 55 600 kr
Females 52 700 kr

What does a Database Designer do? – Tasks and work environment

A Database Designer is responsible for planning, constructing, and maintaining complex database systems that form the foundation of many of today's IT solutions. Tasks include analyzing business needs, modeling databases, optimizing data storage, and ensuring data integrity and security. Collaboration with system developers, architects, and sometimes end-users is common to create efficient and scalable data solutions. The work environment is usually office-based, sometimes with remote work options, and can be in both private and public sectors.

Salary development over time

The salary for Database Designers has shown a steady upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 50,700 SEK per month. In 2023, it increased to 52 800 SEK, which is approximately a 4% increase. In 2024, the average salary was 54 900 SEK, a further increase of nearly 4% from the previous year. This salary development reflects increased demand for system and database expertise, as well as the growing complexity of IT projects. The shortage of qualified candidates also contributes to rising salaries. Overall, the profession is considered attractive in terms of salary, especially for those with the right skills and experience.

Database Designer salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 54 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 40,000 SEK/month (women, public sector, pre-university education); 43,200 SEK/month (men)
  • Highest salary: 61,600 SEK/month (men, private sector, research education); 55,100 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 330 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Men earn 55 600 SEK, women 52 700 SEK; women earn 95% of men's salary
  • Regional differences: Data on regional variation is lacking, but higher salaries are often found in metropolitan regions

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a Database Designer usually involves higher education in data/IT, often complemented with specialized courses in database design and system development. The industry values both formal education and practical experience, and it is common to enhance skills through certifications or further training. Internships or trainee programs can provide valuable insights and a pathway into the job market.

  • Formal degree: University or engineering degree in data/IT (3–5 years)
  • Certifications: Examples include Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, AWS, or similar
  • Internship/trainee: Common in larger IT companies or public sector
  • Prerequisites: Basic programming, database management, and system analysis
  • Self-study: Online courses and projects can strengthen competitiveness

Database Designers often work in teams where collaboration with developers and business analysts is crucial for creating efficient and future-proof solutions. The role combines technical expertise with an understanding of business processes, making the profession particularly dynamic and varied.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Database Designers are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, flexible working hours, and remote work options. Additionally, bonus programs, skills development, and sometimes extra vacation days are common, especially in the private sector. Employers in metropolitan areas tend to offer more comprehensive benefit packages.

Competition and challenges

The competition for qualified Database Designers is high, especially in the private sector and in metropolitan regions where many IT projects are underway. Challenges in the profession often involve keeping up with rapid technological developments and balancing security, performance, and user-friendliness requirements. Recruitment difficulties are common, and many leave the profession for new challenges. The ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and ways of working is therefore crucial for long-term success.

Tips for those who want to become a Database Designer

To succeed as a Database Designer, it is good to have an analytical mindset and patience, as the work often requires thorough troubleshooting and optimization. Staying updated on new database tools and technologies is important, and curiosity about system development provides clear advantages. Good communication skills facilitate collaboration with developers and business experts, while structured problem-solving helps create robust and efficient databases. Demonstrating initiative through personal projects or certifications in popular database systems is also valued. Finally, flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements are important, as the IT industry is constantly evolving.

Key facts about Database Designers

  • Education level: University or engineering degree in data/IT
  • Work environment: Office-based, often with remote work options
  • Demand: Great job opportunities, especially in the private sector
  • Special skills: Database management, system analysis, data security
  • Typical work form: Project-based and cross-functional teamwork

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Database Designer, career development can lead to roles such as system architect, database developer, IT project manager, or security specialist. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts for software and system developers, job opportunities are expected to remain strong, with unchanged demand over the next five years. Recruitment difficulties in finding the right competence make the profession still attractive. Advancement opportunities are good for those combining technical expertise with business understanding and project management experience. Currently, there are 179 job openings in the profession in Sweden.

Frequently asked questions about Database Designers

  • What does a Database Designer earn?
    - A Database Designer has an average salary of 54 900 SEK per month. Men earn an average of 55 600 SEK and women 52 700 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a Database Designer?
    - Most commonly, a university or engineering degree in data/IT, often supplemented with certifications.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn approximately 95% of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the job market like for Database Designers?
    - Job opportunities are plentiful, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What are the most common job tasks?
    - Tasks include database construction, optimization, security work, and collaboration within development teams.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a Database Designer?
    - The highest salary is 61,600 SEK (men) and 55,100 SEK (women). The lowest salary is 40,000 SEK (women) and 43,200 SEK (men).
  • Which personal qualities are important?
    - Analytical ability, accuracy, communication, and problem-solving are important qualities for the profession.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Database designer is 61600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 55100 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Database designer is 40000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 43200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 93% 36700 kr 37000 kr
25-34 98% 47900 kr 48300 kr
35-44 96% 56100 kr 56700 kr
45-54 95% 59500 kr 60300 kr
55-64 93% 59600 kr 60400 kr
65-68 56600 kr 56900 kr
Snitt 95% 54300 kr 54900 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.


Default Avatar

About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Database designer has the SSYK code 2512, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest
    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden
    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes