Image that illustrates Nickel pliers

Nickel pliers

35 200 kr

Machine operators, surface treatment

32 400 - 36 200 kr / month

Women earn 91% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Nickel pliers

Average salary 35 200 kr
Males 35 700 kr
Females 32 400 kr

What does a nickelplater do? – Tasks and work environment

A nickelplater works on surface treating metals by applying a nickel layer, which protects the material against corrosion and provides a shiny, durable surface. The work often takes place in industrial environments where various chemical baths and electrolytic processes are used to attach the nickel layer to parts made of steel or copper, for example. The nickelplater monitors machinery and processes, checks the quality of the surface treatment, and performs maintenance on equipment. The work environment can be humid and requires careful attention to safety and chemical handling, with protective equipment being an essential part of daily life.

Salary development over time

Nickelplaters have experienced a stable and positive salary increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,100 SEK per month, which increased to 32 800 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary continued upward to 35,200 SEK, corresponding to a salary increase of approximately 13% over the period. This development reflects an increased demand for skilled nickelplaters, where technological advances and the need for high-quality surface treatments in industry drive wages upward. At the same time, industry-specific factors and the availability of trained labor influence this positive trend.

Nickelplater salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 35,200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 32,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 36,200 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 212 SEK
  • Men (average): 35 700
  • Women (average): 32,400 SEK
  • Women’s share of men’s salary: 91 %
  • Regional differences: Highest salaries are found within regional sectors

Education and qualifications

To work as a nickelplater, a high school education in industrial technology or a similar technical program is usually required. Practical experience in industrial surface treatment is highly meritorious, and many employers offer introductory or internal training. Additional courses in chemical work environment and safety procedures are valuable for those wishing to specialize. Basic knowledge of chemistry and mechanical engineering can facilitate both education and entry into the profession.

  • High school education: Industrial technology program, 3 years
  • Certifications: Courses in chemical handling and work environment
  • Internship: Often undertaken within the industry
  • Prerequisites: Basic chemistry and technology are advantageous
  • Further education: Possible via employers or YH courses

Nickel plating is a process that has been used in industry for over a hundred years and remains crucial for both aesthetics and durability on everything from machine parts to consumer products. It is a profession where tradition meets modern technology, and where precision at every step is vital for the final result.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Nickelplaters often have access to benefits such as collectively agreed insurances, wellness contributions, work clothing, and occupational health services. Some employers also offer extra compensation for shift work, as well as access to occupational health and training. It is common for workplaces to provide protective equipment and sometimes subsidized lunches or employee discounts.

Challenges and competition

The job market for nickelplaters is influenced by the economic cycle within manufacturing and technological developments in surface treatment. Since the profession requires specialized knowledge of chemical processes and safety, there can be competition for positions where employers seek experienced operators. Another challenge is staying updated on new environmental regulations and process improvements. Digitalization and automation increase demands for technical understanding and adaptability.

Tips for aspiring nickelplaters

To succeed as a nickelplater, it’s good to develop an eye for detail, as precision is crucial in every step of surface treatment. An interest in technology and chemistry facilitates understanding of processes and safety routines. Being responsible and following instructions is important, as the work often involves handling chemicals and advanced equipment. Flexibility and teamwork skills ease shift work and production environments. Finally, patience and perseverance help with quality control and troubleshooting in the process.

Key facts about nickelplaters

  • Education level: High school vocational education (industrial technology)
  • Work environment: Industrial, often shift- and process-based
  • Typical employment: Full-time, sometimes shift work
  • Demand: 1,437 job openings in the occupational group of machine operators, surface treatment
  • Special skills: Chemical handling and machine monitoring

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as a nickelplater, there are opportunities to advance to leadership roles such as supervisor, process manager, or technical specialist in surface treatment. With further education, roles within quality control, production technology, or maintenance can also become relevant. According to the broader forecast from the Swedish Public Employment Service for machine operators in surface treatment, no specific assessment is made for nickelplaters due to limited data, but the large number of job openings indicates continued demand. Technological development and increased environmental requirements are expected to make modern surface treatment skills valuable in the future.

Frequently asked questions about nickelplaters

  • What is the average salary of a nickelplater?
    - A nickelplater has an average salary of 35,200 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salary for nickelplaters?
    - Men earn an average of 35 700 SEK, while women earn 32,400 SEK, which means women earn 91 % of men's salary.
  • What education is required to become a nickelplater?
    - Typically, a high school education in industrial technology and practical experience in surface treatment are required.
  • Are there many job openings for nickelplaters?
    - Within the occupational group of machine operators, surface treatment, there are 1,437 job openings.
  • What are the future prospects for nickelplaters?
    - The outlook is uncertain, but demand for skilled nickelplaters remains stable.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a nickelplater?
    - The highest salary is 36,200 SEK and the lowest is 32,400 SEK.
  • What benefits are common for nickelplaters?
    - Collectively agreed insurances, wellness contributions, work clothing, and occupational health services are common.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Nickel pliers is 36200 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 32400 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Nickel pliers is 32400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 35200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 29300 kr 33400 kr
25-34 30100 kr 34000 kr
35-44 32100 kr 36100 kr
45-54 32900 kr 35900 kr
55-64 32700 kr 35900 kr
Snitt 91% 31600 kr 35200 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 Nickel pliers has the SSYK code 8121, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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