Operating engineer, treatment plant salary

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Operating engineer, treatment plant salary

39 600 SEK

Operations technicians at heating and water plants

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

33 400 - 43 700 SEK / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Installation & drift/underhåll

Average salary 39 600 SEK/month Monthly gross salary
Salary range 33 400 - 43 700 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does an operator in a treatment plant do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Operator in treatment plant salary – comprehensive overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Operating engineer, treatment plant

Average salary 39 600 kr
Males 39 800 kr
Females 37 500 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 57 Vacant jobs ->

What does an operator in a treatment plant do? – Tasks and work environment

An operator in a treatment plant is responsible for monitoring and controlling the processes that purify water and wastewater before it is released into nature. The work involves daily supervision of the facility's machinery and process systems, adjusting operational parameters, troubleshooting, and maintaining technical equipment. The operator also performs sampling, documents operational data, and ensures compliance with environmental requirements and government regulations. The work environment is often technically advanced and can involve both indoor and outdoor work, sometimes during irregular hours or on call. Safety routines are central, and the job requires the ability to work systematically and solve problems effectively.

Salary development over time

The salary for operators in treatment plants has shown a steady upward trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,300 SEK, increasing to 38 300 SEK in 2023 and further to 39 600 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 5.5% over the three-year period. The driving factors behind this positive salary development include increased demands for technical competence, a growing focus on environment and sustainability, and some competition for qualified personnel within the water and wastewater sector. The demand for operators has remained relatively constant, but technological development and automation are driving the need for updated skills and may influence future salary trends.

Operator in treatment plant salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 39 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 30,700 SEK/month (female, municipal sector, post-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 42,200 SEK/month (male, private sector, post-secondary education)
  • Hourly wage (average): 230 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 37 500 SEK (94% of men's salary at 39 800 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Specific regional salary differences are not available, but variations may occur between municipalities and metropolitan areas/counties.

Education and qualifications

To work as an operator in a treatment plant, a typical requirement is a technical high school education, often with specialization in process or industrial technology, supplemented by post-secondary courses or vocational college training. Practical experience and understanding of environmental technology and process control are highly valuable. Some employers also require specific certifications or further training in water and wastewater treatment.

  • High school education: Industrial technology or plumbing and property programs, 3 years
  • Vocational college: Process technician/operator, 2 years
  • Certifications: Courses in water treatment, environmental technology, and safety
  • Internships: Longer internship periods or trainee programs are common
  • Prerequisites: Technical interest, physics, and chemistry at high school level
  • Tips for choosing: Combine education with practical training to enhance employability

Many operators in treatment plants have the opportunity to work with advanced control and monitoring systems, providing a unique insight into technological developments within the environmental sector. The role often involves close collaboration with engineers and environmental technicians, which can open doors to further specialization or leadership positions.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Operators in treatment plants are often offered benefits such as extra vacation days, wellness allowances, shift and on-call allowances, and opportunities for skills development. Pension plans and insurance coverage are usually included, and some employers also offer subsidized lunches or staff discounts.

Competition and challenges

The profession of operator in treatment plants is characterized by moderate competition in the job market, with a balanced recruitment situation according to the latest forecasts from the Employment Service. Technological changes and increased automation demand higher levels of competence and adaptability. Challenges may also arise in recruiting personnel with the right technical background and environmental interest. The work environment can be demanding, especially during shift work and on-call duties. At the same time, the profession offers great variation and opportunities to develop specialized knowledge within a socially important area.

Tips for those wanting to become an operator in a treatment plant

To succeed as an operator in a treatment plant, it is important to be meticulous and have a technical interest, as the profession requires both practical skills and understanding of advanced processes. Flexibility and willingness to work shifts or on-call are often necessary, as well as the ability to quickly solve problems under pressure. An environmental interest and a sense of responsibility are crucial since the work directly impacts nature and society. Practical experience, such as internships or summer jobs in the water and wastewater sector, provides a significant advantage. Maintaining curiosity and a desire to further educate oneself in new technologies and environmental regulations are also key success factors. Good teamwork and communication skills facilitate collaboration with colleagues and other professionals. Finally, being organized and able to document work carefully is essential.

Key facts about operators in treatment plants

  • Education level: High school or vocational college with a technical focus
  • Work environment: Shift work, technically advanced, sometimes outdoors
  • Demand: Moderate, 481 job openings within the profession
  • Special knowledge: Process technology, control systems, and environmental regulations
  • Common employment form: Permanent employment with on-call duties

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience, opportunities open up for roles such as process manager, supervisor, or technical specialist within water treatment. Further education can lead to positions like operations manager or environmental engineer. According to the Employment Service's forecast, the opportunities for employment as an operator in treatment plants are moderate, with expected unchanged demand over the next five years. Technological development and increased automation influence the profession, but the societal need for safe water and wastewater systems ensures a stable job market. The profession currently has 481 job openings nationwide, indicating good prospects for those with the right education and experience.

Frequently asked questions about operators in treatment plants

  • What does an operator in a treatment plant earn?
    - An operator in a treatment plant has an average salary of 39 600 SEK per month.
  • How does the salary difference between men and women look?
    - Men earn on average 39 800 SEK, while women earn 37 500 SEK, which corresponds to 94% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become an operator in a treatment plant?
    - Most commonly, a technical high school or vocational college with specialization in process, industry, or environmental technology.
  • Are there opportunities for career development?
    - Yes, after a few years of experience, one can advance to roles such as process manager, supervisor, or operations manager.
  • What is the job market like for operators in treatment plants?
    - The job market is balanced with moderate opportunities and 481 job openings within the profession.
  • What are the job responsibilities of an operator in a treatment plant?
    - Monitoring processes, maintaining machinery, sampling, and documenting operational data.
  • What personal qualities are important in this profession?
    - Accuracy, technical interest, problem-solving skills, and a sense of responsibility are central qualities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 09:52:26

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Operating engineer, treatment plant is 43700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 41100 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Operating engineer, treatment plant is 33400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 33800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 31200 kr 32900 kr
25-34 94% 36400 kr 38700 kr
35-44 95% 37600 kr 39800 kr
45-54 94% 38000 kr 40200 kr
55-64 96% 38100 kr 40100 kr
65-68 38000 kr 39000 kr
Snitt 94% 37500 kr 39600 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 Operating engineer, treatment plant has the SSYK code 8191, 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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