Salary progression Project manager, system development

Average salary 55 500 kr
Males 56 100 kr
Females 53 400 kr

What does a project manager within software development do? – Tasks and work environment

A project manager within software development is responsible for planning, organizing, and leading IT and software development projects. Tasks include coordinating resources, tracking schedules, managing budgets, and ensuring project goals are met according to specifications. Communication with both technical teams and clients is central to driving the project forward. The work environment is usually office-based with lots of collaboration and meetings, where digital tools are frequently used for project management and communication.

Salary development over time

The salary for project managers within software development has shown a stable increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 50,700 SEK per month, rising to 54 900 SEK in 2023 and further to 55 500 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of over 8% during the period, indicating positive salary growth. This trend can be linked to the increased demand for IT skills and project management capabilities within the tech sector, where the complexity of development projects is rising. Additionally, a high level of education and specialized experience contribute to salary increases. The market is characterized by competition for qualified project managers, which further drives salaries upward.

Project managers within software development often need to balance technical understanding with soft leadership skills, as they act as a bridge between development teams and clients.

– statsskuld.se

Project manager within software development salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 55 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 40,000 SEK/month (female, public sector, pre-university education)
  • Highest salary: 61,600 SEK/month (male, private sector, postgraduate education)
  • Hourly wage: 330 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn on average 95% of men's salaries (53 400 SEK compared to 56 100 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salary levels can vary depending on geographic area, with metropolitan regions often offering higher salaries.

Education and qualifications

The educational path to becoming a project manager within software development often involves a university degree in IT, computer science, or similar fields. Certifications in project management and experience from software development projects are common and enhance employment opportunities.

  • Formal degrees: Bachelor's or master's degrees in IT, computer engineering, or systems science (3–5 years)
  • Certifications/courses: Project management certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, or agile methods (Scrum, Kanban)
  • Internships/trainee programs: Practical experience from IT projects or trainee programs is advantageous
  • Prerequisites: Basic programming and system understanding
  • Self-study/online courses: Courses in project management and software development via online platforms
  • Tips for choosing: Combine technical skills with leadership training to increase career prospects

Common benefits and compensations

Project managers within software development are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness contributions, flexible working hours, and remote work options. Many employers also provide opportunities for skills development and training support to promote career growth within the company.

Competition and challenges

The profession is characterized by high competition for qualified project managers, while recruitment difficulties exist due to a shortage of experienced personnel. A challenge is to constantly stay updated on new technologies and methods within software development. The workload can be high with demands to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Rapid technological development requires flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing conditions.

Tips for those who want to become a project manager within software development

To succeed as a project manager within software development, it is good to develop both technical understanding and strong leadership qualities. Being communicative facilitates cooperation among different stakeholders and team members. Good problem-solving skills help handle unexpected obstacles during the project. It is also important to be organized to plan and follow up on all parts of the project efficiently. Finally, high stress resilience helps maintain focus and deliver results even under pressure.

Key facts about project managers within software development

  • Education level: Bachelor's degree or higher in IT or systems science
  • Salary range: 40,000–61,600 SEK/month
  • Work environment: Office-based with high pace and collaboration
  • Demand: Large job opportunities with an unchanged forecast over five years
  • Gender differences: Women earn approximately 95% of men's salaries

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years as a project manager within software development, opportunities exist to advance to senior project manager, program manager, or head of development departments. Alternatively, the career can move toward specialist roles in IT architecture or product ownership. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service forecasts, demand for software and system developers, including project managers in the field, is expected to remain unchanged nationally. Despite recruitment difficulties, the market remains stable with many job openings, providing good opportunities for employment and career development.

Frequently asked questions about project managers within software development

  • What does a project manager within software development earn?
    - The average salary is approximately 55 500 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience and education.
  • What education is required to become a project manager within software development?
    - Typically, a bachelor's degree in IT, computer science, or similar fields, along with project management certifications, is required.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn on average 95% of men's salaries within the profession.
  • What are the future prospects for project managers within software development?
    - Job opportunities are considered large with unchanged demand over the next five years.
  • What common benefits are offered?
    - Occupational pension, wellness contributions, flexible working hours, and remote work options are common benefits.
  • How do salaries vary regionally?
    - Salary levels are generally higher in metropolitan areas compared to smaller towns.
  • What personal qualities are important in the profession?
    - Communication skills, problem-solving ability, and stress resilience are important qualities.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Project manager, system development is 63800 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 60700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Project manager, system development is 42200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 44200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 94% 36000 kr 36100 kr
25-34 99% 48800 kr 49300 kr
35-44 95% 55900 kr 56600 kr
45-54 95% 60300 kr 61100 kr
55-64 95% 61200 kr 62300 kr
65-68 57800 kr 58800 kr
Snitt 95% 54900 kr 55500 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 Project manager, system development has the SSYK code 2512, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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