- Salary statistics
- Bookbinding technician
Bookbinding technician
32 400 - 38 300 kr / month
Women earn 99% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Bookbinding technician
What does a Bookbinding Technician do? – Tasks and Work Environment
A bookbinding technician works with assembling, binding, and finishing books, brochures, and other printed materials. The profession involves both manual and machine-based tasks, where technical skill and precision are central qualities. Tasks include handling various materials, setting up and monitoring machines, and checking the quality of finished products. The work environment can range from small craft workshops to larger industrial printing houses, where the pace can sometimes be fast and heavy lifting occurs. The work is often team-based, but there are also tasks that require independence and concentration.
Salary development over time
The salary for bookbinding technicians has shown steady growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,500 SEK/month, rising to 32 500 SEK in 2023 and further to 33 300 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 9.2% during the period, which is slightly above the general wage development in similar craft professions. The positive trend is partly explained by increased demand for specialized skills in bookbinding, especially for advanced or unique print productions. Education level and experience have also gained greater importance in salary setting, benefiting the profession's development.
Bookbinding Technician salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 33 300 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 32,400 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 38,300 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 200 SEK
- Men (average): 33 400 SEK/month
- Women (average): 32,900 SEK/month
- Women's share of men's salary: 99%
- Regional differences: Slight variations, depending on city/region
Education and qualifications
To work as a bookbinding technician, a secondary education in graphic technology or equivalent craft training is usually required. Many employers prefer candidates with practical experience in printing environments or who have completed specialized courses in bookbinding. Further education or certification can be advantageous, especially when working with advanced equipment or special projects. Internships and apprenticeships are common ways to gain necessary experience and industry contacts.
- Secondary education: Graphic technology, 3 years
- Post-secondary courses: Specialization in bookbinding, 1–2 years
- Internship/apprenticeship: Common part of the education
- Certifications: Possible with some employers
- Prerequisites: Technical interest and good fine motor skills
Many bookbinding technicians develop unique craft skills that are in demand for restoring older books and artistic projects. Creativity and attention to detail often provide opportunities for personal projects or starting one's own business.
Common benefits and compensations
Bookbinding technicians are often offered collective agreement-based occupational pensions, compensation for unsocial hours, and wellness grants. Other common benefits include work clothing, subsidized lunches, and opportunities for skills development through internal or external training. In some cases, bonus or performance-based payments are also provided for larger production assignments.
Competition and challenges
Competition within bookbinding is moderate but varies depending on region and specialization. Digitalization of the printing industry has led to fewer traditional bookbinding services, while demand for qualified technicians for specialized tasks and small-scale production has increased. Automation and machine-based production demand higher technical competence, which can be a challenge for those lacking further training. The physical and repetitive nature of the work can also pose ergonomic risks, requiring good workplace health and preventive measures.
Tips for aspiring bookbinding technicians
To succeed as a bookbinding technician, patience and precision are important, as the work often requires careful attention to detail. An interest in technology facilitates learning new machines or methods, and a creative streak opens opportunities for artistic projects and commissions. Building a network within the printing and book industry can provide internships and future job opportunities. Flexibility is a strength, as tasks can vary between manual handling and machine work. Finally, showing initiative and interest in ongoing education is beneficial, as the industry evolves rapidly with new techniques.
Key facts about Bookbinding Technicians
- Education level: Secondary education in graphic technology
- Work environment: Workshop or printing house, often physically demanding
- Type of work: Full-time, shift work possible
- Demand: 1437 available jobs within the profession
- Special skills: Manual craftsmanship and machine operation
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a bookbinding technician, there are opportunities to advance to supervisor, production planner, or specialist in book restoration. Further education can lead to roles in quality control or technical support for machinery suppliers. The prognosis according to the Swedish Public Employment Service indicates continued stable demand, especially for those with broad technical skills and experience in specialized production. The job market is relatively stable with 1437 available positions, suggesting good employment opportunities for qualified candidates. Regional differences may exist, but larger cities and areas with printing facilities offer the most opportunities.
Common questions about Bookbinding Technicians
- What does a Bookbinding Technician earn?
- The average salary is 33 300 SEK/month, with variations between 32,400 and 38,300 SEK/month depending on experience and education. - Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
- Yes, women earn an average of 32,900 SEK/month, which corresponds to 99% of men's salaries. - What education is required to become a Bookbinding Technician?
- Secondary education in graphic technology, often supplemented with practical training or specialized courses. - What is the job market like for Bookbinding Technicians?
- Demand is stable with over 1400 available jobs according to the latest statistics. - What benefits are common?
- Occupational pension, wellness grants, work clothing, and opportunities for skills development. - What development opportunities are available?
- Opportunities to become a supervisor, specialist in restoration, or advance to technical roles. - What are the working hours like?
- Usually full-time, sometimes shift work depending on the workplace.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 32400 kr | 34000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 32300 kr | 33800 kr | |
| Snitt | 99% | 31800 kr | 33300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 110% | 33900 kr | 33900 kr |
| 35-44 | 118% | 37000 kr | 37100 kr |
| 45-54 | 37300 kr | 37300 kr | |
| 55-64 | 105% | 36100 kr | 36100 kr |
| Snitt | 110% | 36500 kr | 36500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 110% | 33900 kr | 33900 kr |
| 35-44 | 118% | 37000 kr | 37100 kr |
| 45-54 | 37300 kr | 37300 kr | |
| 55-64 | 105% | 36100 kr | 36100 kr |
| Snitt | 110% | 36500 kr | 36500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 32300 kr | 33800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 32000 kr | 33600 kr | |
| Snitt | 31400 kr | 33000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 32300 kr | 33800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 32000 kr | 33600 kr | |
| Snitt | 31400 kr | 33000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 32600 kr | 33900 kr | |
| Snitt | 99% | 31700 kr | 33400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 110% | 32500 kr | 32500 kr |
| 35-44 | 118% | 32200 kr | 32500 kr |
| 55-64 | 105% | 35000 kr | 35000 kr |
| Snitt | 110% | 34200 kr | 34200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 110% | 32500 kr | 32500 kr |
| 35-44 | 118% | 32200 kr | 32500 kr |
| 55-64 | 105% | 35000 kr | 35000 kr |
| Snitt | 110% | 34200 kr | 34200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 31700 kr | 33400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 31700 kr | 33400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 99% | 31900 kr | 32900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 110% | 35700 kr | 35700 kr |
| 35-44 | 118% | 38200 kr | 38200 kr |
| 45-54 | 36800 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 105% | 37000 kr | 37000 kr |
| Snitt | 110% | 37500 kr | 37500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 110% | 35700 kr | 35700 kr |
| 35-44 | 118% | 38200 kr | 38200 kr |
| 45-54 | 36800 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 105% | 37000 kr | 37000 kr |
| Snitt | 110% | 37500 kr | 37500 kr |
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 Bookbinding technician has the SSYK code 7323, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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