Image that illustrates Hardener, plastic

Hardener, plastic

33 200 kr

Machine operators, plastics industry

31 500 - 35 700 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Hardener, plastic

Average salary 33 200 kr
Males 33 900 kr
Females 31 800 kr

What does a Härdare in the plastics industry do? – Tasks and work environment

A Härdare in the plastics industry primarily works with processing, shaping, and curing plastic materials into finished products or components. The daily work involves monitoring and controlling machines used for plastic treatment, inspecting the quality of the finished material, and performing basic maintenance on equipment. The work environment is often characterized by shift production, with both manual and automated processes. Work typically takes place in factories or workshops where precision and a strong focus on safety are crucial to avoid accidents and ensure high product quality.

Salary development over time

The profession Härdare in plastics shows steady salary growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,900 SEK, which increased to 32 000 SEK in 2023 and then to 33 200 SEK in 2024. This increase corresponds to an average salary improvement of about 7.5% over the three-year period. The trend is partly explained by technological developments in the industry, where demand for skilled machine operators has been high, while many are leaving the profession. Despite good salary growth, signs indicate that future increases may be dampened, as automation and efficiency improvements are expected to impact the workforce demand.

Härdare, plast salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 33 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,500 SEK/month (female, regional sector, high school education)
  • Highest salary: 35,700 SEK/month (male, private sector, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Hourly wage: 200 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Men 33 900 SEK, women 31 800 SEK (women earn 94% of men)
  • Regional differences: Salaries vary depending on employer sector and region, with private sector employees often earning more than those in regional sector.

Education and qualifications

To work as a Härdare in the plastics industry, a high school education with a focus on industry, technology, or similar is usually required. Many employers also value experience in machine operation or production, and internal training is common for new hires. Practical experience and technical interest are highly valued, and there are opportunities to supplement with courses in plastics technology or automation.

  • High school education: Industry or technology programs, 3 years
  • Certifications: Courses in plastics technology or machine handling can be advantageous
  • Internship: Workplace-based learning during education is common
  • Prerequisites: Technical interest and precision
  • Further training: Opportunities for specialization in automation or quality control

Many Härdare in plastics work in teams where collaboration and communication are crucial for smooth production. The tasks can be physically demanding and monotonous, which is why job rotation and variation are often used to reduce strain injuries and increase job satisfaction.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Common benefits for Härdare in the plastics industry include shift allowances, wellness contributions, and sometimes subsidized lunches or staff discounts. Collective agreements often regulate holidays, pension contributions, and insurances.

Competition and challenges

Although opportunities for work as a Härdare in the plastics industry are currently considered good, the profession faces several challenges. Automation and technological development are expected to reduce demand for traditional machine operators over the next five years. At the same time, recruitment difficulties are reported because many leave the profession, creating a paradoxical situation where many jobs are available, but demand is expected to decline in the future. To meet competition, continuous skills development and adaptation to new technologies and methods are required.

Tips for those who want to become a Härdare in the plastics industry

To succeed as a Härdare in the plastics industry, having a technical interest and being precise in work is beneficial, as machine handling and quality controls require accuracy. Good teamwork skills facilitate working in team-oriented production environments where tasks are often coordinated. Flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to changes in production are strengths, especially when machines or processes are updated. Practical skills and patience are important for monotonous or repetitive tasks. Showing initiative and acquiring new knowledge is also valuable, as the technical development in plastics is rapid. A solution-oriented approach aids in troubleshooting and maintenance. Finally, being careful with safety regulations and work environment rules helps minimize risks in production.

Key facts about Härdare, plast

  • Education level: High school education in technology or industry
  • Work environment: Factory setting, often shift work
  • Demand: Great job opportunities today, but decreasing long-term
  • Gender distribution: Men have higher average salaries than women
  • Special skills: Machine handling, quality control, safety routines

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, there are opportunities to advance to more qualified roles such as team leader, production planner, or specialist in quality control. Further education in automation or production technology can also open doors to supervisory positions or technical maintenance roles. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, job opportunities in machine operation roles within the plastics industry are currently good, but demand is expected to decline over five years due to automation and efficiency improvements. Despite this, many positions are currently available, offering good prospects for those entering the profession now.

Common questions about Härdare, plast

  • What does a Härdare, plast earn?
    - The average salary is 33 200 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, education, and sector.
  • What is the working environment like for a Härdare in the plastics industry?
    - The working environment is often a factory with shift work, where safety and ergonomics are important factors.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, men earn an average of 33 900 SEK and women 31 800 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a Härdare in plastics?
    - High school education in technology or industry is most common, often supplemented with internal training.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries in the profession?
    - The highest salary is 35,700 SEK, and the lowest is 31,500 SEK per month.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - The job market is good now, but demand is expected to decline in the long term due to automation.
  • What benefits are common for Härdare, plast?
    - Common benefits include shift allowances, wellness contributions, and collective agreement-based insurances and pensions.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Hardener, plastic is 35700 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 32200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Hardener, plastic is 31500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Regional sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 33500 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 97% 27500 kr 30400 kr
25-34 95% 30900 kr 33900 kr
35-44 95% 31400 kr 34000 kr
45-54 91% 31000 kr 33400 kr
55-64 91% 31400 kr 33600 kr
Snitt 94% 30600 kr 33200 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 Hardener, plastic has the SSYK code 8142, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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