How much does a Operating engineer, heating plant make

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  2. Operating engineer, heating plant
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Operating engineer, heating plant

38 300 kr

Operations technicians at heating and water plants

30 700 - 42 200 kr / month

Women earn 95% of what men do.

Installation & drift/underhåll

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Operating engineer, heating plant

Average salary 38 300 kr
Males 38 500 kr
Females 36 600 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 21 Vacant jobs ->

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

A plant operator in a heating plant is responsible for monitoring, controlling, and maintaining technical facilities that produce and distribute heat, often in the form of district heating to households and industries. The work includes checking boilers, turbines, pumps, and ventilation systems, as well as troubleshooting and performing minor repairs when needed. Plant operators often work shifts, which means working days, evenings, and weekends, as heat production must operate around the clock. The work environment is technically oriented and can be noisy, hot, and sometimes require working at heights or in confined spaces. Safety routines and careful documentation are important parts of the daily work.

Salary development over time

The salary for a plant operator in a heating plant has shown stable and positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,300 kronor, rising to 37 100 kronor in 2023 and further to 38 300 kronor in 2024. The total increase over this three-year period amounts to approximately 5.5%, which is slightly above the general wage development for similar technical professions. This trend can be explained by steady demand for skilled plant operators as existing staff retire and an increased focus on energy efficiency and modernization of facilities. Despite some automation and technological development, the profession continues to be crucial for ensuring operational safety in the country's heating plants.

Plant operator, heating plant salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 38 300 kr/month
  • Lowest salary: 30,700 kr/month (female, municipal sector, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Highest salary: 42,200 kr/month (male, private employee, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Hourly wage (average): 230 kr/hour
  • Gender differences: Men 38 500 kr, women 36 600 kr (women earn 95% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a plant operator in a heating plant usually goes through technical high school programs focused on operation, energy, or process technology. Post-secondary training at vocational colleges in plant operation or energy technology is common and increases employment opportunities. Internships and certifications for specific facilities or tasks are often advantageous and sometimes a requirement for employers.

  • High school education: Electrical and energy programs, specialization in operation or process (3 years)
  • Vocational college: Plant technician/energy technician (1.5–2 years)
  • Certifications: Facility-specific certificates may be required
  • Internship: Mandatory part of many programs
  • Prerequisites: Technical interest and good knowledge of mathematics and physics

Many plant operators develop specialized expertise over time regarding specific facility types or control systems, which can open doors to roles such as supervisor or technical manager. The technical breadth of the profession means that experience from one heating plant is often highly valuable within other parts of the energy sector.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Plant operators in heating plants are often covered by collective agreements that entitle them to overtime pay, shift allowances, wellness contributions, and sometimes additional vacation days. Many employers also offer training and skills development, as well as access to favorable pension schemes and insurance.

Competition and challenges

The job market for plant operators in heating plants is characterized by a balance between supply and demand, with approximately 481 available jobs nationwide. National forecasts indicate that job opportunities will be moderate over the next five years, mainly due to technological development and automation. Challenges in the profession include rapid technical learning, high safety requirements, and the ability to handle unexpected operational disruptions. Additionally, shift work can impact work-life balance, requiring good adaptability and stress resilience.

Tips for aspiring plant operators in heating plants

To succeed as a plant operator in a heating plant, it is beneficial to have a genuine technical interest and an analytical ability that aids troubleshooting and problem-solving. Precision is crucial, as safety routines and documentation demand high accuracy. Flexibility and adaptability facilitate shift work and the integration of new technical solutions in facilities. Being communicative and able to collaborate with colleagues during handovers and in stressful situations is also advantageous. A proactive approach, asking questions, and actively seeking new knowledge increases the chances of advancing and developing in the profession.

Key facts about plant operators in heating plants

  • Educational level: High school or vocational college education
  • Work environment: Shift work, technically advanced environment
  • Demand: Moderate, approximately 481 available jobs nationwide
  • Common sectors: Municipal and private heating plants
  • Special skills: Control and regulation technology, system monitoring

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years of experience, a plant operator in a heating plant can move into roles such as supervisor, technical manager, process engineer, or trainer within the energy sector. There are also opportunities to specialize in automation or control systems, which often involve higher responsibility levels and salary. According to the Swedish Employment Agency's forecasts for process technicians at heating and water plants, the job market is expected to be balanced, with moderate opportunities over the coming five years. Demand is expected to remain stable, partly due to technological development and automation, but experience and further education can further strengthen career prospects.

Frequently asked questions about plant operators in heating plants

  • What does a plant operator in a heating plant earn?
    - The average salary is 38 300 kronor per month. The highest salary is 42,200 kronor per month.
  • Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
    - Yes, women earn on average 36 600 kronor, which is 95% of men's 38 500 kronor.
  • What education is required to become a plant operator in a heating plant?
    - High school education in technology or energy, or vocational college within plant operation or energy technology.
  • What is the state of the job market?
    - The job market is considered balanced nationally, with approximately 481 available jobs within the profession.
  • What are the biggest challenges in the profession?
    - Technical changes, safety requirements, and shift work are some of the main challenges.
  • What career opportunities are available after a few years?
    - Supervisor, technical manager, and specialist roles within automation or process development.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Shift allowances, overtime pay, wellness contributions, and opportunities for skills development are common.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-11 10:42:48

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Operating engineer, heating plant is 42200 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 39400 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Operating engineer, heating plant is 30700 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Municipal sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 32400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 30500 kr 32600 kr
25-34 95% 35200 kr 37600 kr
35-44 94% 36400 kr 38600 kr
45-54 99% 36900 kr 38800 kr
55-64 93% 36800 kr 38800 kr
65-68 36400 kr 37500 kr
Snitt 95% 36300 kr 38300 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, heating 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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