Summer job or extra-income jobs while studying

A summer or extra-income job may be your first contact with the working world or your first experience of the engineering profession. In addition to achieving a more content-rich CV, it also provides you with practical, valuable work experience.

Many companies and organizations like to hire students for temporary jobs. For employers, it is an opportunity to gain access to fresh knowledge and new ideas while at the same time getting in touch with possible future employees.

Even if your summer or extra-income job is not in line with your qualifications or what you plan to do after graduation, it is valuable merit. You gain new knowledge and experience by working, taking responsibility and cooperating with colleagues and managers. Take this period at work to develop yourself and to build up your contact network for the future.

Achieving a secure employment situation

When you get a summer or extra-income job, it is important that you know what you are expected to do in the workplace, as well as how you are covered by insurance, etc. in your employment. This should be stated in your employment contract, which you must make sure you get in writing from your employer.

Find out if the workplace has a collective agreement or not. This affects factors such as overtime pay, sick pay, and insurance. If you are unsure of what applies in your particular workplace, contact the Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers Helpline.

The Helpline can also assist you with other things that you are unsure about at your work, such as questions about employment conditions or salary.

Contact the membership service

Salaries for summer or extra-income jobs

When applying for summer or part-time jobs, it can be challenging to determine the appropriate salary level for your skills. The salary statistics from the Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers can serve as a useful guide.

The average salary in 2023 for summer jobs related to engineering studies was 28,160 SEK per month, with the median at 27,000 SEK*. The salary range between the lower and upper quartiles was 24,000–30,600 SEK per month. These figures are based on a monthly salary for a full-time position, as 180 hours per month. Hourly wages are not uncommon for summer and part-time jobs.

Note that these numbers are specific to jobs related to your engineering studies. Salary levels for other types of jobs and industries may vary.

For the summer of 2024, salaries are expected to increase compared to 2023 due to ongoing wage negotiations in workplaces. The salary increases for 2024 are 3.3 percent, meaning that the average salary for a summer job related to engineering studies will be around 29,100 SEK. The salary range between the lower and upper quartiles will then be approximately 24,800–31,500 SEK.

*These figures are estimated based on the Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers' student survey for 2023.

The salary statistics serve as an indication or guidance regarding what to expect in terms of salary levels. Factors such as the complexity of job tasks, your skills, and previous experiences can influence the actual salary. It's always possible to negotiate the salary.

Check whether the offered salary includes or excludes vacation pay. In addition to the salary specified in the contract, you are entitled to vacation pay. This means you cannot take vacation while working, but you should receive extra compensation for the accrued vacation, either distributed monthly or at the end of the employment period. Sometimes, employers state that the salary includes vacation pay, which you need to consider, as the compensation levels may differ. According to vacation law, vacation pay is 12 percent of the salary.