The 33,390 SEK Salary Threshold: Which Jobs Are Hardest Hit by the New Rules?
On June 1, 2026, the Swedish government's new, stricter regulations for labor migration went into effect. The minimum salary requirement to be granted a work permit has been raised to 90% of the Swedish median salary, which translates to a minimum wage of 33,390 SEK per month.
The goal of the reform is to prevent low-wage competition and steer labor migration toward higher-skilled professions. But what does this mean in practice for the Swedish job market?
Using our comprehensive database of Swedish salaries and job listings, Bytajobb Analytics has mapped out which common occupations fall below this limit, and where the effects will be felt the most.
Which Occupations Fall Below 33,390 SEK?
Analyzing the salaries of all 431 occupational groups in Sweden (based on the latest official wage statistics from SCB), we see that a large number of common job roles have an average monthly wage that falls below this new threshold.
Here are some of the most common occupations affected:
1. Hospitality, Restaurants & Services
Historically, this sector has relied heavily on labor from outside the EU. Going forward, it will be virtually impossible to recruit non-EU workers for these roles without paying a wage far above the industry average:
- Maîtres d'hôtel and waiters: Average salary 30,500 SEK
- Bartenders: Average salary 31,600 SEK
- Chefs and cooks: Average salary 32,800 SEK
- Hotel receptionists: Average salary 30,800 SEK
2. Healthcare, Caregiving & Education
The health and care sector is already experiencing severe staff shortages. Several of the largest occupational groups in this area fall below or hover right at the threshold:
- Childcare assistants: Average salary 28,300 SEK
- Student assistants: Average salary 29,100 SEK
- Personal assistants: Average salary 31,800 SEK
- Caregivers and support workers: Average salary 33,300 SEK
- Assistant nurses (home care & elderly care): Average salary 33,800 SEK (slightly above the limit, but starting salaries are often below)
3. Administration & Logistics
Many entry-level roles in office and warehouse environments are also directly impacted:
- Mail carriers and postal workers: Average salary 30,000 SEK
- Office receptionists: Average salary 31,300 SEK
- Medical secretaries and healthcare admins: Average salary 32,900 SEK
- Customer support staff: Average salary 33,400 SEK
- Warehouse and terminal staff: Average salary 34,800 SEK (though entry-level starting wages are often lower)
What Does This Mean for Job Seekers?
While the new rules present challenges for employers in the service and care sectors, they create significant opportunities for local job seekers in Sweden and the rest of the EU.
1. Reduced Competition for Entry-Level Roles
Since employers can no longer recruit from outside the EU for positions paying less than 33,390 SEK, they must focus on candidates who already have residency and work rights in Sweden or the EU. This reduces competition for entry-level jobs, making it easier for youth, new arrivals, and students to enter the workforce.
2. Upward Pressure on Wages
To attract sufficient staff in shortage occupations (such as chefs and assistant nurses), employers are forced to compete with higher wages and improved working conditions. Industries that have historically seen slow wage growth may see wage adjustments to meet domestic demand.
3. More Full-Time and Stable Employment
To make these roles more attractive to local candidates, employers are increasingly offering permanent, full-time contracts rather than insecure hourly arrangements.
How Can You Use This Data?
When searching for jobs on Bytajobb.se, you can use our built-in Salary Statistics tool to compare wages across different professions. If you are considering a career change or further education, occupations that sit right around or just above 33,390 SEK are strategically interesting, as competition for these roles is likely to shift over the coming year.
You can also combine salary insights with our Arbetsgivarkollen tool in every job posting to ensure that the employer you apply to has the financial strength to offer stable employment in this new economic landscape.