Employer Cost Calculator
Calculate total employer costs and social security contributions for an employee, including age-based reductions and growth support.
FAQ
What are employer contributions in Sweden?
Employer contributions (arbetsgivaravgifter) are mandatory social security contributions employers pay on top of an employee’s gross salary. The standard rate is 31.42% and includes pension and other social insurance components.
Is the 31.42% rate always used?
No. The standard rate applies in many cases, but there are age-based reductions for older employees, and certain small businesses may qualify for reduced rates under growth support rules.
Does this calculator include salary tax or income tax?
No. This calculator focuses on employer-side costs (gross salary + employer contributions). Employee income tax and payroll reporting details are not included.
How do age-based reductions work?
For employees born 1938–1958, the employer contribution can be reduced to only the pension contribution (10.21%). For employees born 1937 or earlier, employer contributions may be zero.
What is growth support (växa-stöd)?
Growth support (växa-stöd) can allow eligible small businesses to pay a reduced employer contribution rate (10.21%) for up to two employees on the part of salary up to 35,000 SEK per month.
How does the employer cost calculator work?
The employer cost calculator helps employers calculate the total cost of an employee, including gross salary and social security contributions. The standard rate is 31.42% of gross salary and includes pension contributions, health insurance, work injury insurance, and other statutory contributions. The calculator shows both monthly and annual costs and accounts for age-based reductions and growth support for small businesses.
Age-based reductions
For employees born between 1938-1958, employers only pay pension contributions at 10.21%. For employees born in 1937 or earlier, no employer contributions apply at all. This makes it more beneficial to employ older workers and should encourage longer working lives.
Growth support for small businesses
Qualified small businesses can receive growth support which means reduced employer contributions (10.21%) for up to two employees. The support applies to salary up to 35,000 SEK per month. For salary portions above this amount, regular employer contributions apply.
Employer contributions in Sweden (arbetsgivaravgifter)
When you hire someone in Sweden, the cost is usually more than the gross salary. On top of salary, the employer pays employer contributions (arbetsgivaravgifter) which fund parts of the social insurance system.
This calculator helps you estimate the total employer cost by combining salary with the applicable contribution rate.
What the calculator does
You enter:
- Monthly gross salary
- The employee’s birth-year bracket (used for age-based reductions)
- Whether growth support (växa-stöd) should apply
The result shows employer contributions and the total cost per month and per year.
Standard rate and what’s included
A common standard rate is 31.42% of gross salary. It includes multiple components, such as pension contributions and other statutory social insurance parts.
Age-based reductions (important)
In some cases, the rate is lower for older employees:
- Born 1938–1958: typically only the pension contribution (10.21%)
- Born 1937 or earlier: employer contributions may be 0
Growth support (växa-stöd) for small businesses
Eligible small businesses can apply a reduced rate (often 10.21%) for up to two employees, on the salary portion up to 35,000 SEK per month. Any salary above that threshold is usually charged at the normal rate.
Practical tips
- Always confirm whether the salary you use is monthly gross (before tax and deductions).
- Use the annual view when budgeting for a full year.
- Treat the calculator as an estimate: rates and rules can change, and payroll systems may apply rounding.