- Salary statistics
- Hejarsmed
Hejarsmed
35 200 - 36 000 kr / month
Hantverksyrken
Salary progression Hejarsmed
What does a hejarsmed do? – Tasks and Work Environment
A hejarsmed primarily works with metalworking using a so-called hejare, a powerful forging tool that enables shaping large and heavy metal pieces. The profession involves melting, shaping, and hardening metals to create various industrial components, machine parts, or custom orders within sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure. The work environment is often noisy and hot, with high safety and physical endurance requirements. Hejarsmeden usually collaborates with other smiths and technicians in larger workshops or industrial facilities where precision and accuracy are crucial.
Salary development over time
The salary for hejarsmeds has shown some variation over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 32,300 SEK per month, rising to 37 900 SEK in 2023, which is approximately a 17.3% increase. In 2024, the average salary decreased to 36 000 SEK, a reduction of about 5% compared to the previous year. These changes can partly be explained by fluctuations in demand for specialized forging skills, industry economic cycles, and the availability of larger projects. The salary level for hejarsmeds is relatively competitive within the craft sector but can be influenced by regional differences and employer size.
Hejarsmed salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 36 000 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: No public statistics available
- Hourly wage: 216 SEK
- Gender differences: Men earn 36 100 SEK, no specific statistics for women
- Regional differences: No detailed data available
Education and qualifications
The path to becoming a hejarsmed often begins with a vocational education in industrial technology, preferably with a focus on forging or metalworking. After high school, further training in forging, apprenticeships, and practical experience in workshops under the guidance of experienced smiths are common. Formal certifications may be required for certain specialized tasks and work environments.
- High school education: Industrial technology programs, 3 years
- Trade certificates: Smith or metalworker (optional but advantageous)
- Practical training: Apprenticeship at a workshop or forging company
- Further training: Courses in welding, safety, and machinery operation
- Prerequisites: Technical interest and good physical condition
Hejarsmeds contribute to preserving a traditional craft skill that is unique within Swedish industry. Despite technological advances and automation, there is still demand for manual forging in the production of custom parts and the restoration of historic structures.
Common benefits and compensation
Hejarsmeds are often covered by collective agreements that provide occupational pension, wellness contributions, and insurance. Other common benefits include work clothing, tools, and opportunities for skill development through courses and further training. In some cases, bonuses or supplements are offered for work during inconvenient hours.
Competition and challenges
The job market for hejarsmeds is characterized by limited but specialized demand. Since the profession requires specific technical knowledge and physical endurance, competition mainly occurs among those with extensive experience or specialized training. A significant obstacle is that many young people seek more automated professions, which could lead to a skills shortage in the long term. At the same time, economic fluctuations in industry can affect the number of available jobs. The lack of detailed statistics makes it difficult to precisely predict future recruitment needs, but the current level of job openings indicates a stable but niche market.
Tips for aspiring hejarsmeds
To succeed as a hejarsmed, it is good to be both persistent and precise, as the work often requires long-term physical effort and high accuracy in metalworking. Having a problem-solving mindset helps when unexpected technical challenges arise, and a genuine interest in craftsmanship increases the chances of developing a high skill level. It is recommended to seek apprenticeships at established forging workshops during training, as practical experience is crucial to understanding the profession's demands. Flexibility is important, since tasks can vary daily and require quick adaptation. Actively pursuing further education in welding or mechanical engineering is also valuable, as it broadens skills and improves employability.
Key facts about hejarsmed
- Education level: High school education in industry or forging
- Work environment: Workshop with high noise levels and physical strain
- Work arrangements: Full-time or hourly employment, often shift work
- Demand: 341 available jobs within the smithing profession
- Special skills: Experience with machine and manual metalworking
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a hejarsmed can often take on more advanced tasks such as supervisory roles, training new employees, or specializing in advanced machine forging. There are also opportunities to further qualify as a workshop manager, technical specialist, or to start your own business in forging and metalworking. Forecasts from the Swedish Employment Service indicate that there is insufficient data for an exact assessment of future prospects, but the number of available jobs suggests continued demand in specialized segments. However, automation and technological development may influence the number of traditional hejarsmed positions in the longer term.
Frequently asked questions about hejarsmed
- What does a hejarsmed earn?
- A hejarsmed has an average salary of 36 000 SEK per month. - How to become a hejarsmed?
- The most common path is a vocational education in industrial technology followed by apprenticeships and possibly further training in forging. - Are there many job opportunities as a hejarsmed?
- Yes, there are 341 available jobs within the smithing profession according to current statistics. - What personal qualities are important for hejarsmeds?
- Endurance, precision, and problem-solving skills are central qualities. - What are the work environment risks?
- Noise, heat, and physical strain are common risks in the profession. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Statistics show that men earn 36 100 SEK, but there is no detailed data for women. - What are the development opportunities for hejarsmeds?
- Opportunities include advancing to supervisor, technical specialist, or starting your own business.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 35200 kr | 36300 kr | |
| Snitt | 35200 kr | 36000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 39600 kr | 39800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 39600 kr | 39800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 35200 kr | 36300 kr | |
| Snitt | 35200 kr | 36000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 35200 kr | 36300 kr | |
| Snitt | 35200 kr | 36000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 35200 kr | 36300 kr | |
| Snitt | 35200 kr | 36100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 39600 kr | 39800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 39600 kr | 39800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 35200 kr | 36300 kr | |
| Snitt | 35200 kr | 36100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 35200 kr | 36300 kr | |
| Snitt | 35200 kr | 36100 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 Hejarsmed has the SSYK code 7221, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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