What "free" actually costs

A newly qualified lawyer in Stockholm and one in Austin. Same title, same year of call. Follow every krona and every cent from the moment the employer commits the money to the moment it leaves your account.

44 000 kr
$235,000

Before anything is deducted, this is what you cost your employer. It is the true price of your labour, and it is the only honest place to start.

Stockholm

Associate, Swedish business law firm
693 898 kr Employer's real cost

    Austin, Texas

    First-year associate, US firm
    $249,847 Employer's real cost

      After every tax, in both countries

      Stockholm keeps 357 600 kr Total tax 48.5%
      Austin keeps 1 602 000 kr Total tax 33.2%

      Every tax the Swedish worker pays
      Assumptions, and where this comparison is weakest