How much does a Apprentice make

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  2. Apprentice
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Apprentice

27 800 kr

Machine operators, bleaching, dyeing and washing

23 400 - 30 000 kr / month

Women earn 100% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Apprentice

Average salary 27 800 kr
Males 27 700 kr
Females 27 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 6 Vacant jobs ->

What does an appreterare do? – Tasks and work environment

An appreterare primarily works with finishing textiles in an industrial setting. The tasks include controlling and monitoring machines used to give fabrics and other textiles specific properties, such as gloss, softness, or water repellency. The process may involve pressing, mangling, chemical treatment, and drying. The work is often performed in production facilities where both manual and automated steps are involved. The work environment is typically factory-based and may require shift work, demanding both precision and the ability to handle technical equipment.

Wage development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for an appreterare has shown a steady but slightly positive trend. In 2022, the average salary was 26,600 SEK per month, increasing to 26 500 SEK in 2023 – a marginal decrease of about 0.4%. In 2024, the average salary increased significantly to 27 800 SEK, corresponding to an increase of nearly 4.9% compared to the previous year. This trend can be explained by increased demand for specialized machine operators in the textile industry and a general wage adjustment in the sector. Although the percentage increase isn’t dramatic, a clear improvement is seen as employers compete for qualified personnel and technical skills become increasingly important.

Appreterare salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 27 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 23,400 SEK/month (man, public sector, high school education 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 30,000 SEK/month (woman, public sector, high school education up to 2 years)
  • Hourly wage: 167 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn an average of 27 900 SEK, men 27 700 SEK
  • Regional differences: Limited data, but salaries may vary depending on location and employer

Education and qualifications

To work as an appreterare, a high school diploma with a focus on textiles, production, or industry is generally required. Many employers also require practical experience with machine operation or previous work in the textile industry. The profession can also involve internal training or on-the-job learning, especially when new equipment or advanced technology are introduced.

  • Formal education: High school education with a focus on industry, technology, or textiles (2–3 years)
  • Internship: Work-based internships during education are common
  • Certifications: Specific certifications are rarely required, but training in machine safety can be advantageous
  • Prerequisites: Interest in technology and production, some experience in industrial work is beneficial
  • Trainee/Internal training: Many employers offer internal training programs

Many appreterare develop a sense for material properties over time and can quickly determine which treatment yields the best results – a practical knowledge that is difficult to replace with automation.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

The profession often offers benefits such as shift allowances, wellness contributions, and sometimes opportunities for further training or skills development. Work clothing and protective equipment are provided by the employer, and collective agreements with pension contributions are also common.

Competition and challenges

Competition within the profession of appreterare is relatively moderate, as it requires both technical understanding and experience in textile handling. One of the main challenges is adapting to rapid technological development and automation within the industry. There is also some uncertainty regarding future demand, as the profession is part of a broader occupational group where tasks can change quickly. However, generational shifts and retirements may increase the need for new employees in the long term. Staying updated with new machines and methods is crucial to maintaining competitiveness.

Tips for those wanting to become an appreterare

To succeed as an appreterare, it’s good to have a genuine interest in technology and materials. Precision is an important trait, as small mistakes can affect the entire production outcome. Flexibility helps in environments where tasks vary and the pace can be high. Being solution-oriented is valuable when troubleshooting machines or handling unexpected situations in production. Good teamwork skills are also important, as work often occurs in teams where clear communication is essential for safety and quality. Those willing to learn new things and adopt new technology have good opportunities to develop in the profession. Finally, patience and perseverance are appreciated, especially during shift work and longer production runs.

Key facts about an appreterare

  • Education level: High school education with an industrial or technical focus
  • Work environment: Factory-based with shift work possible
  • Demand: 1,437 job openings within 2024
  • Gender equality: Equal pay between men and women
  • Occupational group: Machine operators, bleaching, dyeing, and washing

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as an appreterare, there are opportunities to advance to more specialized roles such as supervisor, machine responsible, or quality inspector within the textile industry. Experienced workers often take on responsibilities for training new employees or participate in process development and efficiency projects. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's occupational forecasts, no specific assessment is made for the profession due to limited data, but the broader field indicates ongoing demand for machine operators in textiles and manufacturing. Generational changes and technological development may open new opportunities for those willing to further their education or take responsibility for modernization.

Common questions about an appreterare

  • What does an appreterare earn?
    - An appreterare has an average salary of 27 800 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 167 SEK.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - No, women and men earn approximately the same within this profession.
  • What education is required to become an appreterare?
    - Usually, a high school education with a focus on technical or industrial studies and practical experience.
  • What is the work environment like for an appreterare?
    - The work environment is factory-based and may involve shift work and handling heavy machinery.
  • What are the future prospects for an appreterare?
    - Projections are limited, but there are over 1,400 job openings within the profession.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for an appreterare?
    - The highest salary is 30,000 SEK and the lowest is 23,400 SEK per month.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-09 08:08:53

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Apprentice is 30000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 28600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Apprentice is 23400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 25200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 23800 kr 25600 kr
25-34 98% 26700 kr 28200 kr
35-44 99% 25900 kr 27400 kr
45-54 101% 26900 kr 28100 kr
55-64 97% 28100 kr 28900 kr
Snitt 100% 26500 kr 27800 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Apprentice has the SSYK code 8151, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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