- Salary statistics
- Shipwrights
Shipwrights
35 500 - 36 500 kr / month
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Shipwrights
What does a ship plate worker do? – Tasks and work environment
A ship plate worker primarily works with manufacturing, assembling, and repairing steel structures on ships. Tasks include welding, cutting, bending, and joining sheet metal components, often based on drawings and specific requirements from shipyards or shipping companies. It is common to work in teams on larger projects, where safety and precision are crucial. The work environment can be noisy, humid, and sometimes cramped, especially during repairs below deck or in engine rooms. Personal protective equipment is always used, and the work demands high accuracy and physical endurance.
Salary development over time
The salary for ship plate workers has shown a stable and clearly positive trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 32,800 SEK per month, which increased to 33 900 SEK during 2023. Between 2023 and 2024, the salary rose further to 36 500 SEK, corresponding to an increase of about 7.7% compared to the previous year. This salary development reflects increased demand for skilled workers in the industry and an overall wage rise in the technology and construction sectors. The shortage of specialized labor and the fact that many ship plate workers are nearing retirement age have also contributed to rising wages in the profession.
Ship plate worker salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 36 500 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Varies depending on experience and employer, but the average is 36 500 SEK/month
- Hourly wage: 219 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: Men earn 36 600 SEK/month; salary data for women is not available
- Regional differences: Data not available, but variations may occur depending on shipyard and region
Education and qualifications
To work as a ship plate worker, a high school education in industrial technology or equivalent is generally required, often with specialization in sheet metal work or welding. Employers value practical experience and relevant certification, especially in welding and safety work. Internships during education are common, as the profession requires a good understanding of work environment and methods.
- High school education: Industrial technology programs, 3 years
- Certifications: Welding licenses and hot work certificates are often required
- Practical training: Longer internships or apprenticeship positions are recommended
- Prerequisites: Basic mathematics and technical knowledge
- Further education: Advanced marine technology courses can be advantageous
Many ship plate workers have opportunities to work internationally, especially at larger shipyards or during repairs abroad. This opens up exchange of experience and career opportunities on a global labor market.
Common benefits and compensations
Ship plate workers are often covered by collective agreements that entitle them to overtime pay, night shift allowances, and holiday pay. Other common benefits include wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes further training opportunities. In some cases, additional benefits such as occupational pensions and insurance are offered for extra security.
Competition and challenges
The profession of ship plate worker features a relatively small labor market in Sweden, which leads to some competition for the most attractive positions. At the same time, there is a continuous need for qualified workers, especially at larger shipyards and in the shipping industry. A challenge is the lack of younger applicants, which could lead to skills shortages in the future. The work is physically demanding and can involve awkward postures and exposure to noise. Strict safety requirements and the need for specialized knowledge in welding and materials science make a high level of education essential for success in the profession.
Tips for aspiring ship plate workers
To succeed as a ship plate worker, it is good to combine technical interest with a willingness to work practically and carefully. Good physical condition is important since the work is often heavy and performed in challenging environments, so regular training and endurance are valuable. Being solution-oriented and flexible makes it easier when unexpected problems arise onboard ships. Teamwork skills are crucial, as projects are often carried out in teams, and clear communication with colleagues and supervisors is a big advantage. Finally, a sense of responsibility and precision are highly valued, both for safety reasons and to ensure high-quality work.
Key facts about ship plate workers
- Education level: High school education in industry/sheet metal work
- Work environment: Shipyard and vessel environments, often noisy and physically demanding
- Work form: Full-time, often project-based
- Demand: 1437 job openings in the profession in spring 2024
- Special skills: Welding, reading drawings, safety work
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a ship plate worker, opportunities open for more specialized roles such as supervisor, welding inspector, or technical specialist in marine constructions. There is also potential for further education to become a project manager or take responsibility for larger repair projects internationally. The Swedish Employment Service's forecasts indicate that, due to limited statistical data, there is no precise assessment of future prospects for ship plate workers, but demand across the profession remains stable with over 1,437 job openings in spring 2024. The job market is influenced by the global shipping industry's development, where technical specialization and experience offer good opportunities for advancement.
Frequently asked questions about ship plate workers
- What is the average salary of a ship plate worker?
- A ship plate worker has an average salary of 36 500 SEK per month. - Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
- Men earn an average of 36 600 SEK/month; salary data for women is not available. - What education is required to become a ship plate worker?
- High school education in industrial technology or sheet metal work is most common, often supplemented with a welding license. - What is the work environment like for ship plate workers?
- The environment is often noisy, humid, and physically demanding, especially during repairs onboard ships. - What are the future prospects for the profession?
- While there is no exact forecast, demand remains stable with over 1400 job openings in the profession. - What benefits are common in the profession?
- Collective agreements, overtime pay, wellness allowances, and occupational pensions are typical benefits. - How much does a part-time ship plate worker earn?
- The hourly wage is approximately 219 SEK.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 35500 kr | 36500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 35500 kr | 36500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 35500 kr | 36500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 35600 kr | 36600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 35600 kr | 36600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 35600 kr | 36600 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 Shipwrights has the SSYK code 7215, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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