Image that illustrates Circular saws

Circular saws

36 800 kr

Operators in sawmills, planing mills and plywood etc.

35 400 - 37 400 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Circular saws

Average salary 36 800 kr
Males 37 000 kr
Females 35 400 kr

What does a circular saw operator do? – Tasks and work environment

A circular saw operator primarily works with starting, monitoring, and maintaining circular saws within sawmills and the wood industry. The profession involves handling both manual and automated machines to saw, cut, and process wood according to given measurements and specifications. The work requires precision and safety awareness, as the machines are powerful and require careful handling. The work environment is often noisy and physically demanding, with some tasks involving heavy lifting and constant oversight of material flow. Circular saw operators typically work shifts, especially in larger sawmills, and the tasks vary depending on the production focus and scope.

Salary development over time

Salaries for circular saw operators have shown steady and positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,600 SEK per month, which increased to 35 000 SEK in 2023. The latest figure from 2024 shows that the average salary is now 36 800 SEK. This represents an increase of approximately 9.5% over three years. The salary increase can be linked to continued demand for skilled labor in the wood industry, as well as adjustments to meet inflation and rising living costs. Although the salary trend is stable, there are some regional and employer-based variations, but overall, conditions for circular saw operators are steadily improving.

Circular saw operator salary – full overview

  • Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 35,400 SEK/month (female)
  • Highest salary: 37,400 SEK/month (male, regional sector)
  • Hourly wage: 221 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 96% of what men do (men: 37 000 SEK, women: 35,400 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Regional sector shows higher wages, especially for men

Education and qualifications

To work as a circular saw operator, a high school education in industrial technology or wood technology is usually required, supplemented with internal training from the employer. Many employers value practical experience and safety awareness highly. Some workplaces may require specific certificates for machine safety or work environment training, and introductory programs are often provided for new hires. Further education within production technology or machine maintenance is also possible.

  • High school education: Industrial technology or wood technology (3 years)
  • Certifications: Machine safety, work environment training
  • Internships: Often through education or the workplace
  • Prerequisites: Basic education, technical interest
  • Further education: Production technology, machine maintenance

Many circular saw operators develop a deep understanding of wood properties and machine functions over time, making them invaluable resources for special orders or troubleshooting in production.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

For circular saw operators, collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, health insurance, and wellness allowances are common. In some cases, meal subsidies, work shoes, and protective equipment are also offered. Shift work may include overtime pay, and some employers offer bonuses for high productivity or long-term employment.

Competition and challenges

Competition for jobs as a circular saw operator varies depending on region and season. Larger cities and bigger sawmills generally have more vacancies, while smaller towns may have limited opportunities. A challenge is technological development, where automation and digitalization change tasks and require higher technical skills. Safety remains a constant concern, as working with large machines demands precision and risk awareness. Physical strain and noisy environments can also be taxing over time.

Tips for aspiring circular saw operators

To succeed as a circular saw operator, it’s important to combine precision with a strong sense of safety, as the work requires constant attention to the machines. An interest in technology facilitates learning new machines and understanding production processes. Flexibility is key, as tasks can vary between different operations and shifts. Being cooperative is appreciated, since work often takes place in teams where communication and responsibility are crucial. Physical endurance is also an asset, especially during longer shifts and heavy lifting. Showing initiative and willingness to learn new techniques can open doors for advancement. Finally, always following safety routines and being attentive to the work environment helps minimize accident risks.

Key facts about circular saw operators

  • Education level: High school education in industrial technology or wood technology
  • Work environment: Noisy, physically demanding, often shift-based
  • Employment type: Permanent or hourly employment
  • Demand: 1,437 job openings within the profession
  • Special skills: Machine safety and material knowledge

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a circular saw operator, opportunities exist to move into roles such as supervisor, production planner, or machine technician within the wood industry. Some choose to further their education in production technology or maintenance, which can lead to roles with greater responsibility. The forecast from the Employment Service for the operator profession in sawmills is uncertain due to limited data, but the number of job openings remains high. Ongoing technological advances in the wood industry create new skill requirements, making experienced and technically knowledgeable circular saw operators well-positioned to develop their careers in the field.

Frequently asked questions about circular saw operators

  • What does a circular saw operator earn?
    - A circular saw operator has an average salary of 36 800 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 221 SEK.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 96% of what men do in the profession.
  • What education is required to become a circular saw operator?
    - High school education in industrial technology or wood technology is most common, often supplemented with internships and safety training.
  • What does the job market look like?
    - There are a total of 1,437 job openings within the profession, indicating strong demand.
  • What are the most common job tasks?
    - Starting, monitoring, and maintaining circular saws, as well as processing wood according to specifications.
  • How can one advance within the profession?
    - After a few years of experience, opportunities exist to become a supervisor, machine technician, or production planner.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Circular saws is 37400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 36700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Circular saws is 35400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 36600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 31000 kr 36300 kr
25-34 95% 32300 kr 36900 kr
35-44 96% 32400 kr 36400 kr
45-54 93% 32700 kr 37000 kr
55-64 97% 32900 kr 37200 kr
Snitt 96% 32400 kr 36800 kr
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 Circular saws has the SSYK code 8173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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