Salary progression Business Manager

Average salary 74 600 kr
Males 74 200 kr
Females 75 200 kr

What does a Business Development Manager do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Business Development Manager has overall responsibility for developing and promoting business within a municipality, region, or larger organization. Tasks include strategic planning, collaboration with companies, authorities, and other societal actors, as well as leading projects aimed at strengthening the local or regional economy. The role often requires balancing different interests, especially between public and private actors, and much of the work involves networking, analyzing market trends, and identifying new business opportunities. The work environment is generally office-based but also involves many external meetings, representation, and participation in industry forums.

Salary development over time

The salary for Business Development Managers has shown varied development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 70,200 SEK per month. In 2023, this increased to 72 900 SEK, corresponding to approximately 5% growth. For 2024, the average salary has slightly decreased to 74 600 SEK, a reduction of about 1% from the previous year. This decline can partly be explained by changes in demand for leadership roles and an increased number of applicants with higher education and experience. Salaries are also influenced by regional differences and the sector of employment. Despite the slight decrease last year, salary levels remain very high compared to many other managerial roles.

Business Development Manager salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 74 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 50,000 SEK/month (male, public sector, high school education)
  • Highest salary: 156,100 SEK/month (male, municipal sector, research education)
  • Lowest salary (female): 53,900 SEK/month
  • Highest salary (female): 131,700 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 439 SEK
  • Women/men (average): Women 75 200 SEK, men 74 200 SEK (women earn 101% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Salaries may vary depending on region and sector, with higher levels in larger cities and within the municipal sector.

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a Business Development Manager usually involves university studies in economics, social sciences, or similar fields. Many also have experience from leadership positions within business, public administration, or business promotion activities. Relevant further education and networking are important factors for reaching managerial positions in the field.

  • University degree: Economics, social sciences, or equivalent (3–5 years)
  • Further education: Leadership, project management, public administration
  • Certifications: Project management (e.g., PMP) can be advantageous
  • Experience: Several years of work experience within business or public sector
  • Networking: Active participation in industry and company networks

Many Business Development Managers have backgrounds from both private and public sectors, providing a unique understanding of collaboration between different actors. Building and maintaining relationships is a central part of the profession, and participation in national and international collaborations is common to promote regional development.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

In addition to the high base salary, Business Development Managers often receive benefits such as company cars, additional pension contributions, wellness allowances, mobile phones, and opportunities for remote work. Additional compensations may include performance-based bonuses and access to professional development.

Competition and challenges

The competition for roles as a Business Development Manager is very high, with a limited number of vacancies and many qualified applicants. The role requires broad knowledge and deep understanding of business conditions and changes, along with significant responsibility for strategic decisions. Navigating between political goals and corporate needs can be challenging, as well as quickly adapting to economic and societal shifts. Furthermore, a Business Development Manager is often expected to deliver measurable results in a short time, demanding strong leadership and analytical skills.

Tips for aspiring Business Development Managers

To succeed as a Business Development Manager, it is beneficial to develop strong analytical skills and to build a broad network within the business community early on. Demonstrating initiative and taking responsibility for projects provides valuable experience and enhances leadership qualities, which are crucial in managerial roles. Good communication skills are essential, as the role involves many meetings and negotiations with various stakeholders. Being solution-oriented and flexible facilitates working in a rapidly changing environment. Experience from both public and private sectors often provides advantages and increases understanding of different perspectives. Continual professional development in leadership and environmental analysis is recommended to stay competitive. Finally, perseverance and result orientation are important, as the path to managerial positions is often long and requires determination.

Key facts about a Business Development Manager

  • Average salary: 74 600 SEK/month
  • Educational level: University degree (often in economics or social sciences)
  • Work environment: Office-based with many external meetings
  • Demand: 175 job openings in Sweden (2024, SSYK data)
  • Gender difference: Women earn an average of 101% of men's salaries

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Business Development Manager, there are opportunities to advance to higher management roles, such as municipal director, regional manager, or CEO within business organizations. It is also common to move into strategic advisory roles or work on development projects within larger companies and authorities. Employment agency forecasts indicate that demand for experienced leaders in business development remains stable, although the number of vacancies is limited and competition is intense. Those combining extensive experience with specialized skills, such as sustainability or innovation management, have particularly good prospects. Regional differences exist, with the greatest demand in growth regions and larger cities.

Frequently asked questions about Business Development Managers

  • What is the average salary of a Business Development Manager?
    - The average salary is 74 600 SEK per month.
  • How does the salary differ between women and men?
    - Women earn an average of 75 200 SEK, men 74 200 SEK, which means women earn 101% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a Business Development Manager?
    - Usually, a university degree in economics, social sciences, or similar, along with several years of leadership experience, is required.
  • Are there significant regional salary differences?
    - Yes, higher salaries are often found in larger cities and growth regions, as well as within the municipal sector.
  • What is the job market like for Business Development Managers?
    - There are 175 job openings in Sweden, but competition is high.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for the profession?
    - The highest salary is 156,100 SEK (male, municipal sector, research education), and the lowest is 50,000 SEK (male, public sector, high school education).
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Analytical ability, leadership, strong communication, and networking skills are particularly important.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Business Manager is 168000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 146500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Business Manager is 54100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 56400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 98% 46200 kr 50900 kr
35-44 105% 63000 kr 66000 kr
45-54 96% 76700 kr 78500 kr
55-64 101% 81300 kr 83100 kr
65-68 82900 kr 84100 kr
Snitt 101% 72300 kr 74600 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 Business Manager has the SSYK code 1230, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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