- Salary statistics
- Switches, quarries
Switches, quarries
41 300 - 47 500 kr / month
Bygg & anläggning
Salary progression Switches, quarries
What does a breaker in a quarry do? – Tasks and work environment
A breaker in a quarry primarily works with extracting stone and minerals from bedrock. Tasks include drilling, blasting, loading, and transporting stone blocks, as well as supervising machinery and ensuring safety during blasting operations. The environment is often outdoors and characterized by heavy lifting, noise, and dust. The work requires high precision and adherence to safety procedures, as risks are significant when handling explosives and machinery. Collaboration with colleagues and machine operators is a natural part of daily life in the quarry.
Salary development over time
The salary for a breaker in a quarry has varied over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 42900 SEK per month. In 2023, the average increased significantly to 50 600 SEK, representing an increase of just over 18%. However, in 2024, the average salary decreased to 47 500 SEK per month, a reduction of about 6% compared to the previous year. This fluctuation can be explained by changes in market demand, project volume variations, and possible changes in collective agreements and bonus structures. The profession is highly affected by the economic situation in the construction and civil engineering sector, where large infrastructure projects can quickly alter the demand for labor.
Breaker in a quarry salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 47 500 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data missing
- Hourly wage: 286 SEK/hour (based on 166 hours/month)
- Gender differences: Men 47 700 SEK/month, women – data missing
- Regional differences: Data missing
Education and qualifications
To work as a breaker in a quarry, a high school education with a focus on mining and construction or equivalent vocational training is generally required. Practical experience and knowledge of machinery and explosives are crucial, as well as approved safety training. Many employers prefer candidates who have completed internships or trainee programs within the industry.
- High school education: Construction and civil engineering program, specialization in mining (3 years)
- Certifications: Blasting license and training in safe handling of explosives
- Internship: Workplace-based internships are strongly recommended
- Prerequisites: Good physical condition and technical understanding
- Tips: Contact employers for trainee positions and apprenticeship programs
Many quarry breakers work in teams where collaboration and communication are essential for safety. Work often takes place in shifts, providing opportunities for varied working hours and sometimes long periods of leave between shifts.
Common benefits and compensations
Breakers in quarries are often covered by collective agreements that entitle them to extra compensation for unsociable hours, overtime pay, and benefits such as wellness contributions, work clothing, and sometimes access to occupational health services. Some employers also offer bonuses linked to production or safety targets, as well as opportunities for training and certification within the profession.
Competition and challenges
The competition for jobs as a quarry breaker varies depending on region and economic conditions. Since the profession is physically demanding and sometimes takes place in risky environments, not everyone is drawn to the industry. A challenge is to stay updated with new safety regulations and techniques, while automation and machine control are changing work tasks. The industry is also influenced by fluctuations in the construction and civil engineering sector, where project volumes can quickly change the need for labor.
Tips for those wishing to become a quarry breaker
To succeed as a quarry breaker, it is important to have a strong sense of safety and to be meticulous in everything you do, as the work often involves handling explosives and large machinery. Physical endurance is vital, as the work environment is demanding and heavy lifting occurs regularly. Being cooperative and able to communicate clearly with colleagues increases both efficiency and safety on site. An interest in technology and the ability to quickly learn new machines and methods are also valuable, especially as the industry modernizes. Practical experience from internships or summer jobs facilitates entry into the profession, and demonstrating responsibility in all tasks builds trust with employers. Finally, flexibility is an advantage, as shift work and varied tasks are common.
Key facts about quarry breakers
- Education level: High school or vocational training required
- Work environment: Outdoors, heavy machinery, noise
- Work pattern: Shift work is common
- Demand: 379 job openings in 2024
- Special skills: Blasting license and machine experience often necessary
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years of experience as a quarry breaker, opportunities exist to advance to supervisor, machinery manager, or specialized blaster. Some choose to further their education in operations management, occupational health and safety, or mechanical engineering to take on more qualified roles. The employment agency’s forecast for the mining and quarrying workforce is uncertain due to limited data, but the current number of job openings (379 according to the latest figures) indicates ongoing demand. However, the industry is affected by economic conditions and project volumes, which can cause opportunities to fluctuate over time.
Frequently asked questions about quarry breakers
- What does a quarry breaker earn?
- The average salary is 47 500 SEK/month according to the latest data. - What education is required to become a quarry breaker?
- High school education with a focus on mining and construction or equivalent vocational training is recommended. - What is the work environment like for a quarry breaker?
- The work environment is often outdoors, noisy, and physically demanding with a focus on safety. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Salary data is available only for men (47 700 SEK/month); data for women is missing. - What benefits are common for a quarry breaker?
- Common benefits include shift allowances, wellness contributions, and work clothing. - What are the future prospects for the profession?
- The outlook is uncertain, but currently there are 379 job openings within the profession. - Can one advance within the profession?
- Yes, there are opportunities to become a supervisor or a specialized blaster after a few years.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38600 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43100 kr | 51400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43100 kr | 49400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 43900 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41300 kr | 47500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38600 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43100 kr | 51400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43100 kr | 49400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 43900 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41300 kr | 47500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38600 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43100 kr | 51400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43100 kr | 49400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 43900 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41300 kr | 47500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38200 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43200 kr | 51600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43900 kr | 50400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44000 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41500 kr | 47700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38200 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43200 kr | 51600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43900 kr | 50400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44000 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41500 kr | 47700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38200 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43200 kr | 51600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43900 kr | 50400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44000 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41500 kr | 47700 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 Switches, quarries has the SSYK code 8111, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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