Recycling workers salary

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Recycling workers salary

33 800 SEK

Sanitation and recycling workers

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

27 600 - 35 800 SEK / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Sanering och renhållning

Average salary 33 800 SEK/month Monthly gross salary
Salary range 27 600 - 35 800 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Calculate take-home pay for Recycling workers 33 800 SEK/month prefilled Calculate gross salary for Recycling workers Start from net pay More salary pages Browse more roles Open jobs for Recycling workers 72 matching jobs in Sanering och renhållning

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Salary trend About the role What does a Recycling Worker do? – Tasks and Work Environment Salary development over time Recycling Worker salary – comprehensive overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Recycling workers

Average salary 33 800 kr
Males 34 000 kr
Females 33 000 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 72 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Recycling Worker do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A recycling worker is responsible for collecting, sorting, and sometimes refining different types of waste and recyclable materials. Common tasks include emptying recycling containers, handling hazardous waste, weighing and recording materials, and operating machines that press or sort garbage. The work is often performed outdoors or in industrial facilities and involves physical labor and heavy lifting. The work environment can be noisy and requires good adherence to safety procedures, especially when handling hazardous substances or machinery.

Salary development over time

The salary for recycling workers has steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,100 SEK per month. The following year, it increased to 32 700 SEK, representing an increase of about 6.6%. Between 2023 and 2024, the average salary further rose to 33 800 SEK, a growth of just over 1.9%. This positive salary trend can be explained by increased demand for the profession, partly driven by greater focus on sustainability and recycling in society. At the same time, recruitment difficulties for skilled personnel may have contributed to upward pressure on wages. Salary levels are also influenced by education, work experience, and whether the employer is public or private.

Recycling Worker salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 33 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,700 SEK/month (female, private sector, pre-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 35,000 SEK/month (female, public sector, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Hourly wage (average): 196 SEK
  • Women's salary relative to men's: 97%
  • Average male salary: 34 000 SEK/month
  • Average female salary: 33 000 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Salaries vary depending on employer and region, but larger cities and public employers often offer slightly higher wages.

Education and qualifications

Generally, no formal vocational training is required to work as a recycling worker, but high school education in areas like transportation, vehicles, or environmental technology is advantageous. Many employers offer internal training and internships, especially for handling hazardous waste. A driver’s license, particularly for heavy trucks, is often a requirement as the job may include driving collection vehicles. Safety training and certifications in environmental and waste management can be beneficial.

  • High school education: Focus on transportation, vehicles, or environmental technology
  • Certifications: Training for handling hazardous waste may be required
  • Driver's license: B-license often required, C-license advantageous
  • Internship: Introduction and internships are often offered by employers
  • Prerequisites: Good physical health and basic Swedish language skills

Many recycling workers describe the profession as social, as teamwork and contact with the public are natural parts of the workday. Those who enjoy practical work and teamwork usually find their place quickly.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Recycling workers are often offered benefits such as overtime pay for inconvenient hours, wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes access to occupational health services. Other common benefits include pension contributions and opportunities for further training in work environment and safety.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a recycling worker is characterized by high demand, but the job market presents a paradoxical situation. While many employers struggle to recruit the right competence, there is also relatively high staff turnover and some part-time employment. Challenges in the profession include physically demanding tasks, risk of injuries, exposure to noise, and handling hazardous substances. Changes in recycling technology and increased environmental requirements also demand higher levels of education and adaptability. Despite this, employment opportunities remain good, especially for those who are flexible and willing to learn new skills.

Tips for those who want to become a Recycling Worker

To succeed as a recycling worker, good physical endurance is beneficial, as the work often involves heavy lifting and long outdoor shifts. A sense of order and accuracy helps during sorting and handling different materials, reducing the risk of mistakes or accidents. Service-minded individuals often thrive in the profession, as contact with colleagues and customers is common. Flexibility is another important trait, as tasks and routines can vary depending on season or changes in recycling systems. Initiative and willingness to further educate oneself are also advantageous, since developments in the environmental field are rapid and new methods are introduced. Having a driver’s license, preferably for heavier vehicles, is often a prerequisite for employment in the profession. Finally, responsibility and the ability to follow safety instructions carefully are crucial, as the work environment can sometimes be risky.

Key facts about Recycling Workers

  • Education level: High school education recommended, but not required
  • Work environment: Physically demanding and outdoor-based
  • Demand: Very good job market, 123 recent job openings
  • Typical employment: Full-time, often shift work or irregular hours
  • Special skills: Handling hazardous waste and machinery

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years in the profession, opportunities exist to advance to supervisor, machine operator, or specialized environmental technician. Some choose to further their education in logistics, environmental technology, or work management. According to the Swedish Employment Service's forecast for sanitation and recycling workers, demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, indicating a stable job market. Nationally, employment prospects are considered good, but recruitment difficulties occur, and staff turnover is relatively high. For those wishing to develop within the field, opportunities also exist to work in training, environmental coordination, or as consultants in waste management.

Frequently asked questions about Recycling Workers

  • What does a Recycling Worker earn?
    - The average salary is 33 800 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience, education, and sector.
  • How has the salary development looked for recycling workers?
    - Over the past three years, the salary has increased from 30,100 SEK to 33 800 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a recycling worker?
    - High school education is recommended, but not a formal requirement. Driver's licenses and safety training are often advantageous.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 97% of men's salaries within the profession.
  • What does the job market look like for recycling workers?
    - The job market is very good with many available positions and stable demand.
  • What are the most common job tasks?
    - Collection, sorting, transportation, and handling of various recycling materials, as well as operation of machinery.
  • What opportunities for further education are available?
    - Opportunities exist within environmental technology, work management, or specialization in hazardous waste.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 18:09:39

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Recycling workers is 35800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 34500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Recycling workers is 27600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 30700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 30700 kr 32200 kr
25-34 96% 32500 kr 33900 kr
35-44 98% 33100 kr 34500 kr
45-54 94% 33100 kr 34400 kr
55-64 98% 32500 kr 33500 kr
65-68 32100 kr 33600 kr
Snitt 97% 32500 kr 33800 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 Recycling workers has the SSYK code 9610, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 390
Net salary
31 390
Taxes
11 718
Fees
12 582

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* Updated with 2026 taxes

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