Operating engineer, waterworks salary

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Operating engineer, waterworks 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 a Water Treatment Plant Operator do? – Tasks and Work Environment Salary Development Over Time Water Treatment Plant Operator Salary – Complete Overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Operating engineer, waterworks

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

What does a Water Treatment Plant Operator do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Water Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for operating and monitoring technical systems that ensure clean and safe drinking water for households and businesses. Tasks include controlling water treatment processes, adjusting machines and pumps, performing regular maintenance, troubleshooting, and resolving operational issues. The work often involves shift work and may require independent efforts as well as collaboration with other technicians, engineers, and laboratory staff. The work environment is characterized by technical installations and high demands for accuracy and safety, as water quality is crucial for public health.

Salary Development Over Time

Over the past three years, salaries for Water Treatment Plant Operators have shown a stable but clear increase. In 2022, the average salary was 36,300 SEK per month, rising to 38 300 SEK in 2023 and further to 39 600 SEK in 2024. This represents a total salary increase of approximately 5.5% over the period. The trend reflects increased demand for technical expertise in water purification and general salary adjustments in technical professions, as employers strive to retain qualified staff amid technological developments and stricter water quality regulations. Salary gaps between genders persist, although the gap narrows slightly each year.

Water Treatment Plant Operator Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 39 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 30,700 SEK/month (female, municipal sector)
  • Highest salary: 42,200 SEK/month (male, private sector)
  • Hourly wage: 230 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Men 39 800 SEK/month, women 37 500 SEK/month (women earn 94% of men's salaries)
  • Regional differences: Salaries can vary depending on region and employer, often slightly higher in larger cities and in the private sector.

Education and Qualifications

To work as a Water Treatment Plant Operator, a technical education at high school level is usually required, often with specialization in operations, environmental technology, or process technology. Many employers also prefer post-secondary courses or vocational college education in water and environmental engineering. Practical experience in technical maintenance, automation, or process industry is advantageous, and some employers offer internal trainee programs for new hires.

  • High school education: Electrical and Energy Program, Industrial Technology Program, or equivalent
  • Post-secondary education: Vocational college (2 years) in operations or process technology is recommended
  • Certifications: Courses in water treatment, safety, and automation may be required
  • Internship: Workplace-based internships during education are often mandatory
  • Prerequisites: Technical interest, precision, and problem-solving skills are important

Many Water Treatment Plant Operators quickly take on significant responsibility for critical societal processes. The role evolves with digitalization and new environmental requirements, providing those interested in technology and sustainable development good opportunities to influence both their workplace and society at large.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Water Treatment Plant Operators are often offered benefits such as extra vacation days, shift and overtime allowances, wellness contributions, and sometimes work clothing and opportunities for skills development. Some employers also provide corporate health services and pension contributions that exceed legal requirements.

Competition and Challenges

Competition for positions as Water Treatment Plant Operators is moderate, with medium prospects for employment according to the Employment Service's forecasts. Technological development and increased automation mean that digital skills are increasingly important, while fewer new positions may be created due to more efficient processes. Society's demands for secure water supply and environmental responsibility continually evolve the profession. A challenge for many is maintaining current knowledge in both technology and environmental regulations, especially as new technology is rapidly implemented. Flexibility and readiness for shift work are also important in this profession.

Tips for Aspiring Water Treatment Plant Operators

To succeed as a Water Treatment Plant Operator, attention to detail and a genuine technical interest are essential, as the work requires constant monitoring and troubleshooting of advanced systems. Problem-solving skills are crucial during operational disruptions and process optimization. Flexibility is helpful since working hours often include shifts or on-call duties. Good teamwork skills are important because tasks sometimes require close collaboration with colleagues and other professionals, while a sense of responsibility and reliability are necessary when managing critical societal functions. A willingness to continually update your skills and follow technological developments also provides long-term career opportunities within the profession.

Key Facts about Water Treatment Plant Operator

  • Educational level: High school diploma with a technical focus, often supplemented with vocational college
  • Work environment: Shift work in technical facilities, sometimes outdoor environments
  • Demand: Moderate job opportunities, with 481 available positions nationwide
  • Special skills: Process monitoring, water treatment, automation
  • Typical employment: Permanent positions, sometimes hourly or temporary contracts

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years in the profession, a Water Treatment Plant Operator can advance to leadership roles such as supervisor, process manager, or technical specialist in water treatment. Further education can lead to engineering positions or quality management within the water and sewage sector. According to the Employment Service's forecast, demand for heating and water plant technicians is expected to remain unchanged over five years. The national recruitment situation is characterized by balance, meaning the number of job seekers and available positions are in equilibrium. Digitalization and automation influence the role, but the need for technically skilled operators remains stable. There is also ongoing demand for specialists in environmental technology and process optimization.

Frequently Asked Questions about Water Treatment Plant Operator

  • What does a Water Treatment Plant Operator earn?
    - The average salary is 39 600 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, gender, and sector.
  • What education is required to become a Water Treatment Plant Operator?
    - A high school diploma with a technical focus and vocational college education in operations or process technology are recommended.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, men earn an average of 39 800 SEK, while women earn 37 500 SEK, which corresponds to 94% of men's salaries.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - The Employment Service assesses that job opportunities are moderate and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
  • What are the duties of a Water Treatment Plant Operator?
    - Monitoring technical systems, performing maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimizing water treatment processes.
  • What benefits are common in the profession?
    - Common benefits include shift and overtime allowances, wellness contributions, and opportunities for skills development.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 09:56:55

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Operating engineer, waterworks 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, waterworks 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, waterworks 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

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

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* Updated with 2026 taxes

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