Image that illustrates Hand packer

Hand packer

31 400 kr

Hand packers and other factory workers

30 100 - 35 800 kr / month

Women earn 95% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Hand packer

Average salary 31 400 kr
Males 31 900 kr
Females 30 500 kr

What does a hand packer do? – Tasks and work environment

A hand packer primarily works manually packing, sorting, and inspecting products within the industry, often at factories or larger production facilities. Tasks can include packing goods into boxes, sealing packages, applying labels, and checking that products meet quality standards and company criteria. The work usually takes place on an assembly line or at a workstation and requires endurance and precision. The work environment is often fast-paced and can be noisy, especially during peak seasons or in larger plants, but safety routines and ergonomic aids are used to reduce strain.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for hand packers has shown steady growth. In 2022, the average salary was 28,200 SEK per month, increasing to 30 300 SEK in 2023 and further to 31 400 SEK in 2024. This represents a total salary increase of approximately 11.3% over the period, with a particularly clear rise between 2022 and 2023. The increase can partly be explained by inflationary pressures and increased demand for labor in certain parts of the industry, although the profession overall is characterized by an oversupply of labor. Despite this, wages have followed the general trend on the labor market, where even simpler industrial jobs have received some wage adjustments to retain staff and meet collective agreement increases. Regional and sector differences may occur.

Hand packer salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 31 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 30,100 SEK/month (female, regional sector, high school education max 2 years)
  • Highest salary: 35,800 SEK/month (male, public sector, 3-year high school education)
  • Hourly wage (average): 189 SEK/hour
  • Women: 30 500 SEK/month (95% of men's salary)
  • Men: 31 900 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Small, but some variation depending on employer and sector

Education and qualifications

To work as a hand packer, no formal higher education is typically required, but high school education in industry, production, or equivalent is often advantageous. Many employers offer on-site induction and internal training, while previous experience with similar tasks can be a plus. Physical endurance, accuracy, and the ability to work in a team are important qualities for success in the profession.

  • Formal education: High school, preferably with an industrial or technical profile (2–3 years)
  • Certifications: Not required, but training in occupational safety and health is common
  • Internship/trainee: Common with larger employers
  • Prerequisites: Basic Swedish and mathematics skills
  • Tips: Previous warehouse or industrial experience is advantageous

Many hand packers report that variation in tasks and products helps make the workday feel less monotonous. It is common to switch between different stations, which both reduces the risk of strain injuries and broadens skills.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Hand packers are often covered by collective agreements that entitle them to premium pay for inconvenient working hours, overtime pay, and sometimes bonuses or piece-rate wages depending on production. Benefits such as wellness allowances, work clothes, and access to occupational health services are also common, especially with larger industrial employers.

Challenges and competition

Competition for jobs as a hand packer is relatively high since the profession does not require formal higher education, making it accessible to many. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, the labor market is characterized by an oversupply of labor, and job opportunities are limited nationwide. Challenges include monotonous work environment, risk of strain injuries, and high demands on endurance during stressful periods. Additionally, automation and efficiency improvements in the industry impact manual labor demand, which may limit future job growth within the profession.

Tips for those wishing to become a hand packer

To succeed as a hand packer, it is good to be precise and resilient, as the work often involves repetitive tasks requiring focus over longer periods. Good teamwork skills are important since tasks are often performed in teams and the pace can be high. Flexibility is appreciated by employers, especially as tasks and stations may vary during the day. Showing initiative and willingness to learn new tasks can lead to broader responsibilities and increased job satisfaction. Punctuality and responsibility are highly valued, as production needs to run smoothly and according to schedule. Finally, being stress-resistant is an advantage, as peak periods and quick task switches are common in the profession.

Key facts about Hand packers

  • Education level: High school, industrial or technical (2–3 years)
  • Work environment: Factory, production line, often fast-paced
  • Work form: Shift work and hourly employment are common
  • Demand: Limited job opportunities, oversupply of labor
  • Available jobs: 1,437 nationwide within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years as a hand packer, there are opportunities to advance to supervisor or team leader within production, especially for those showing initiative and responsibility. It is also common to switch to related roles such as machine operator, warehouse worker, or logistics staff. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, however, the outlook is unchanged with limited job opportunities and an oversupply of labor. Automation and efficiency improvements impact the demand for manual work, though there remains a need in certain niches and smaller companies. For long-term development, further education in industry, production technology, or logistics is recommended.

Frequently asked questions about Hand packers

  • What does a hand packer earn?
    - The average salary is 31 400 SEK per month.
  • How has the salary development looked for hand packers?
    - Salaries have increased from 28,200 SEK in 2022 to 31 400 SEK in 2024, which is about an 11% increase.
  • Are there differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 30 500 SEK while men earn 31 900 SEK, approximately 95% of men's salaries.
  • Is education required to become a hand packer?
    - Usually only high school education, often with an industrial or technical profile.
  • What does the job market look like?
    - Opportunities are limited and there is an oversupply of labor, but there are still 1,437 job openings within the profession.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Collective agreements, premium pay, overtime pay, and sometimes wellness allowances are common benefits.
  • What career opportunities are available after a few years?
    - It is common to advance to supervisor or switch to related roles such as machine operator or warehouse worker.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Hand packer is 35800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a high school education, 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 33300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Hand packer is 30100 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Regional sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 30900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 98% 28100 kr 30300 kr
25-34 95% 29800 kr 32200 kr
35-44 97% 30400 kr 32000 kr
45-54 94% 29800 kr 31200 kr
55-64 94% 30200 kr 31100 kr
Snitt 95% 29700 kr 31400 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 Hand packer has the SSYK code 9320, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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