Image that illustrates Software tester

Software tester

48 600 kr

System testers and test leaders

43 100 - 53 500 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Data/IT

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Software tester

Average salary 48 600 kr
Males 49 100 kr
Females 47 700 kr

Vad gör en programvarutestare? – Arbetsuppgifter och arbetsmiljö

A software tester is responsible for ensuring the quality of software before it is released to users or clients. Tasks include planning, executing, and documenting software tests, often in collaboration with developers, project managers, and other IT specialists. The tester identifies bugs, security vulnerabilities, and usability issues, as well as proposing improvements. The work is typically performed in an office environment, often as part of an agile team, and involves both manual and automated testing. Flexible working hours and the possibility of remote work are common within the profession.

Löneutveckling över tid

The salary for software testers has shown a steady upward trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 45,500 SEK per month, rising to 47 600 during 2023. In 2024, the average salary has increased to 48 600, which corresponds to a salary increase of approximately 6.8% over the three-year period. This development reflects a high demand for testing skills within the IT industry, especially as more businesses digitize and demand higher quality and security in their systems. The salary increase can also be linked to increased specialization and higher educational requirements within the profession.

Programvarutestare lön – komplett översikt

  • Snittlön: 48 600 SEK/month
  • Lägsta lön: 43,100 SEK/month (female, public sector, pre-secondary education)
  • Högsta lön: 53,500 SEK/month (male, public sector, doctoral degree)
  • Timlön: 292 SEK
  • Män tjänar: 49 100 SEK/month
  • Kvinnor tjänar: 47 700 SEK/month (97 % of men's salary)

Utbildning och kvalifikationer

To work as a software tester, a post-secondary education in data/IT is generally required, often with a focus on systems development, testing, or quality assurance. Many employers also require certifications in testing methodology, as well as experience in programming and test automation. Internships or trainee programs can provide valuable experience and improve employment prospects. It is also common to supplement education with online courses and self-study in new testing tools and agile methodologies.

  • University degree: 2–3 years in data/IT or systems science
  • Certifications: ISTQB, Scrum Master, or similar
  • Internship/Trainee: Common for junior roles
  • Prerequisites: Basic programming and testing methodology
  • Self-study: Recommended to stay updated on new tools

Many software testers specialize over time in areas such as security testing, performance testing, or test automation. Those who deepen their expertise in test automation often become key team members and can influence both work processes and technical decisions within the organization.

– statsskuld.se

Vanliga förmåner och ersättningar

In addition to base salary, software testers are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, occupational pension, flexible hours, and the possibility of remote work. It is also common to have opportunities for skills development, conference trips, and bonuses or profit sharing tied to project success.

Konkurrens och utmaningar

Competition for positions as a software tester is generally moderate but can vary depending on region and specialization. The job market is influenced by technological shifts and increased automation, giving testers with knowledge of test automation and modern tools a competitive edge. A challenge in the profession is staying updated on new frameworks, methods, and security requirements. At the same time, high demands are placed on accuracy and the ability to quickly understand complex systems. Those who want to stand out should demonstrate both technical breadth and teamwork skills.

Tips för dig som vill bli programvarutestare

To succeed as a software tester, it helps to combine analytical skills with curiosity and a desire to continually learn. Building a solid foundation in programming enhances understanding of how systems work and makes it easier to identify errors. Precision is crucial, so practicing clear documentation and problem reporting is beneficial. Communicative individuals who enjoy teamwork will find it easier to work in agile teams where testers often act as a link between developers and users. Engaging in various testing projects, even in free time, provides practical experience and strengthens your CV. The ability to quickly learn new tools and methods is also valuable, as the industry evolves rapidly. Finally, patience and persistence are important, especially when troubleshooting becomes challenging.

Nyckelfakta om programvarutestare

  • Utbildningsnivå: Post-secondary education in data/IT recommended
  • Arbetsmiljö: Office-based, often with flexible hours and remote work options
  • Vanlig arbetsform: Teamwork within agile projects
  • Efterfrågan: 179 job openings in Sweden (2024)
  • Specialkunskaper: Automated testing and programming are advantageous

Karriärvägar och framtidsutsikter

After three to five years in the profession, a software tester can advance to roles such as test leader, test automator, or quality assurance specialist. It is also common to move into roles like Scrum Master, product owner, or system developer, depending on interests and skills. The Employment Service does not make a separate assessment for the profession of software tester, but within the groups of system testers and test leaders, there is stable demand, indicated by the 179 job openings. The industry’s move towards increased digitization and automation suggests continued good prospects, especially for those who continuously upgrade their skills in new tools and testing methods.

Vanliga frågor om programvarutestare

  • Vad tjänar en programvarutestare i snitt?
    - A software tester has an average salary of 48 600 SEK per month.
  • Finns det löneskillnader mellan män och kvinnor?
    - Yes, men earn an average of 49 100 SEK and women 47 700 SEK, which means women earn approximately 97 % of men's salary.
  • Vilken utbildning krävs för att bli programvarutestare?
    - Post-secondary education in data/IT is recommended, preferably supplemented with certifications such as ISTQB.
  • Hur ser arbetsmarknaden ut för programvarutestare?
    - There is strong demand for the profession, with 179 job openings in Sweden during 2024.
  • Vilka personliga egenskaper är viktiga som programvarutestare?
    - Analytical skills, precision, teamwork, and curiosity are important qualities.
  • Hur mycket tjänar den bäst betalda programvarutestaren?
    - The top salary is 53,500 SEK per month and belongs to a man with a doctoral degree in the public sector.
  • Vad gör en programvarutestare?
    - A software tester plans, executes, and documents software tests to ensure quality and functionality.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Software tester is 53500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 50700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Software tester is 43100 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 44700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 102% 41500 kr 41800 kr
35-44 95% 47300 kr 47800 kr
45-54 93% 51200 kr 51800 kr
55-64 94% 52900 kr 53700 kr
Snitt 97% 48100 kr 48600 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 Software tester has the SSYK code 2514, 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