Image that illustrates Futurists

Futurists

46 000 kr

Archaeologists and specialists in humanities etc.

41 100 - 52 100 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Administration, ekonomi

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Futurists

Average salary 46 000 kr
Males 46 600 kr
Females 45 300 kr

What does a Future Researcher do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Future Researcher analyzes trends, societal changes, and possible future scenarios within areas such as technology, environment, politics, and economics. The profession involves collecting and interpreting large amounts of data, conducting interviews and environmental analyses, and presenting conclusions to decision-makers in both private and public sectors. Future Researchers often work on a project basis and collaborate with experts from various disciplines. The work is usually performed in an office environment but may also include travel for conferences, workshops, or field studies.

Salary development over time

The salary for Future Researchers has shown stable and positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK, which increased slightly to 43 300 SEK in 2023. Between 2023 and 2024, the average salary rose more clearly to 46 000 SEK, representing an increase of just over 6% during the period. This rise reflects increased demand for skills in future analysis and strategic advising, especially as societal changes and digitalization heighten the need for long-term planning. Salary levels are also influenced by education and work experience, with specialists possessing broad competencies often experiencing better salary development than recent graduates.

Future Researcher salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 46 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 41,100 SEK/month (men), 42,000 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 52,100 SEK/month (men), 50,700 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 277 SEK
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 97% of what men do (46 600 SEK/month for men, 45 300 SEK/month for women)
  • Regional differences: Data unavailable

Education and qualifications

To work as a Future Researcher, a university degree in social sciences, humanities, or engineering is usually required. Many hold a master's or doctoral degree specializing in futures studies, strategic analysis, or related fields. Specialized courses and certifications in scenario analysis, environmental scanning, and systems thinking are often advantageous. Practical experience from project work and analytical skills are important parts of the qualification profile.

  • Formal education: Bachelor's degree (3 years) or master's/doctoral degree (5 years) in relevant subjects
  • Specialized courses: Scenario analysis, systems thinking, environmental scanning
  • Certifications: Meritorious but not always required
  • Internship/Trainee: Common within strategic analysis or research environments
  • Prerequisites: Analytical skills, good knowledge of statistics and societal analysis

Working as a Future Researcher often involves collaboration with experts from diverse fields – from technology developers to sociologists. The interdisciplinary environment means each project can look completely different and constantly offers new perspectives on what shapes the future.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Future Researchers are often offered benefits such as flexible working hours, remote work opportunities, and further training through seminars or conferences. Occupational pension, wellness allowances, and generous holiday policies are common in both public and private sectors.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions in future research is relatively high due to the specialized nature of the profession and limited number of roles. Challenges include staying updated on rapidly changing trends and building trust in their analyses among decision-makers. The ability to communicate complex scenarios pedagogically is crucial, as is balancing scientific accuracy with practical applicability. The profession also requires managing uncertainty and working with incomplete information.

Tips for aspiring Future Researchers

To succeed as a Future Researcher, it’s good to combine curiosity with analytical ability and perseverance. Building broad knowledge across several disciplines while deepening skills in environmental scanning methods provides a strong foundation. Being communicative and able to present complex ideas clearly, along with teamwork and openness to new perspectives, facilitates interdisciplinary work. Actively seeking internships or participating in research projects provides practical experience and valuable contacts. Finally, flexibility and adaptability are essential, as tasks often change in line with new societal challenges.

Key facts about Future Researchers

  • Educational level: Usually master's degree (5 years) in social sciences, humanities, or engineering
  • Work environment: Office-based, often project-oriented and interdisciplinary
  • Demand: 758 job openings within the profession in Sweden
  • Gender pay distribution: Women earn 97% of men's salaries

Career paths and outlook

After three to five years as a Future Researcher, opportunities exist to advance to roles such as senior analyst, project manager, or strategic development expert. Some choose to work as consultants or start their own environmental scanning firms, while others move into policy development or leadership positions within authorities and industry. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, the outlook remains stable, with continued demand for skills in strategic analysis and futures studies, especially as societal changes increase the need for long-term planning.

Common questions about Future Researchers

  • What does a Future Researcher earn?
    - The average salary is 46 000 SEK per month, with variation between 41,100 and 52,100 SEK depending on experience and sector.
  • What education is required to become a Future Researcher?
    - Usually a master's degree in social sciences, engineering, or humanities with specialized courses in futures studies.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 97% of what men do within the profession.
  • What does the job market look like for Future Researchers?
    - There are 758 available jobs, and demand is expected to be stable in the coming years.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Analytical ability, curiosity, teamwork, and good communication skills are central to the profession.
  • Are there opportunities for further education?
    - Yes, continuous training in analysis methods, technology, and environmental scanning is common.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Futurists is 52100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a data missing. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 50700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Futurists is 41100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 42000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 38500 kr 38600 kr
35-44 101% 45600 kr 45800 kr
45-54 101% 47200 kr 47300 kr
55-64 91% 47300 kr 47300 kr
Snitt 97% 45900 kr 46000 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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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 Futurists has the SSYK code 2623, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Fees
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* Updated with 2025 taxes