- Salary statistics
- Planers, sawmills salary
Planers, sawmills salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
36 700 - 39 200 SEK / month
Women earn 95% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
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Salary progression Planers, sawmills
What does a planer in a sawmill do? – Tasks and work environment
A planer in a sawmill is responsible for processing wood through planing, which involves refining raw timber into finished products with precise dimensions and smooth surfaces. The work is often performed on large, computer-controlled machines where precision and accuracy are crucial to ensure product quality. The planer monitors the machines, performs ongoing maintenance and adjustments, and checks that the products meet customer and industry requirements. The work environment can be noisy, dusty, and physically demanding, as heavy lifting and long shifts are common. Safety routines are central, and the use of protective equipment is a natural part of daily work.
Salary development over time
The profession of a planer in sawmills has experienced steady salary increases over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,600 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 36 800 SEK in 2023. The latest figure for 2024 shows an average salary of 38 300 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 9.5% over three years. This development reflects a combination of increased demand for skilled personnel, general industry wage adjustments, and a continued focus on retaining competent workers. Salaries are also influenced by local collective bargaining and efforts to reduce gender pay gaps, although differences still exist within the profession.
Planer, sawmill salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 38 300 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 35,400 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 37,400 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 221 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 95% of what men do
- Men's average salary: 38 600 SEK/month
- Women's average salary: 35,400 SEK/month
- Regional differences: The highest salary for men is found within the regional sector
Education and qualifications
To work as a planer in a sawmill, a high school education in wood technology or industrial production is generally required. Many employers prefer candidates with experience in machine handling and basic technical knowledge. Practical experience from industrial work, the ability to read drawings, and working with computer-controlled machines are advantageous. Further training or internal courses may be available, especially for those seeking greater responsibility or working with advanced equipment.
- High school education: Wood technology or industrial technology, usually 3 years
- Certifications: Internal safety and machine operation certificates
- Practical training: Often part of high school education
- Prerequisites: Technical understanding and good physical condition
- Advanced training: Opportunities for further courses in production technology
An interesting aspect of working as a planer in a sawmill is that the role often involves close collaboration with production technicians and quality managers. Those who enjoy solving practical problems and contributing to efficient production have good opportunities to develop and become key team members.
Common benefits and compensations
Planers in sawmills are often covered by collective agreements that provide benefits such as occupational pension, insurance, and paid vacation. Shift work may be required, which sometimes involves extra compensation for inconvenient hours. Some employers also offer wellness allowances, work clothing, and opportunities for skills development through internal training.
Challenges and competition
The job market for planers in sawmills is influenced by economic cycles in the timber and construction sectors. Since the profession is relatively narrow, competition for the most attractive jobs can be noticeable, especially in regions with fewer sawmills. Technological developments, such as increased automation, require employees to continuously develop their skills. Physical challenges and occupational risks also demand attention to safety and ergonomics. At the same time, the demand for experienced and reliable planers remains stable, offering good opportunities for those with the right education and attitude.
Tips for those who want to become a planer in sawmills
To succeed as a planer in a sawmill, it is good to have an interest in technology and a willingness to work practically with machines. Precision is critical when processing wood parts according to exact specifications, and a problem-solving attitude helps when machines need adjustments or faults occur. Collaboration skills are important since the work is team-based, and initiative helps you quickly take on new tasks or improvement suggestions. Good physical fitness and endurance are also advantageous, as the work can be physically demanding and repetitive. Those open to learning new things and taking responsibility for safety have good chances to thrive and develop in the profession.
Key facts about planers in sawmills
- Educational level: High school diploma in wood technology/industry
- Typical work form: Full-time, often shift-based
- Work environment: Industrial environment with machine-based tasks
- Demand: 1,437 job openings within the profession
- Gender distribution: Still some salary differences between genders
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a planer in a sawmill, those interested in development can move into supervisory roles or specialize in machine maintenance and quality control. For those interested in technology and production, opportunities exist to further educate themselves as production technicians or machine operators with broader responsibilities. According to the Swedish Employment Agency, future prospects are difficult to assess precisely for this profession due to limited detailed statistics, but there are signs of continued demand for skilled labor in the wood industry. With 1,437 job openings, demand remains good, although the job market may vary between regions and economic cycles. Automation and technological development may influence tasks, but competent and experienced planers will remain important in the future.
Common questions about planers in sawmills
- What is the average salary of a planer in sawmills?
- The average salary for a planer in sawmills is 38 300 SEK per month. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 95% of men's salaries within the profession. - What education is required to become a planer in sawmills?
- The most common is a high school education in wood technology or industry, supplemented with practical training. - What tasks are included for a planer?
- Processing wood, monitoring machines, quality control, and maintenance of equipment. - What are the future prospects for the profession?
- Demand is stable with over 1400 job openings, but competition varies regionally. - What is the lowest and highest salary for a planer in sawmills?
- The lowest salary is 35,400 SEK, and the highest is 37,400 SEK per month.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32000 kr | 36600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33700 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33900 kr | 38100 kr |
| 45-54 | 34400 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34800 kr | 39000 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 33900 kr | 38300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32000 kr | 36600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33700 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33900 kr | 38100 kr |
| 45-54 | 34400 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34800 kr | 39000 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 33900 kr | 38300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32000 kr | 36600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33700 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33900 kr | 38100 kr |
| 45-54 | 34400 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34800 kr | 39000 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 33900 kr | 38300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32200 kr | 37000 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33800 kr | 38600 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 34100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 45-54 | 34500 kr | 38900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34900 kr | 39200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34100 kr | 38600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32200 kr | 37000 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33800 kr | 38600 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 34100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 45-54 | 34500 kr | 38900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34900 kr | 39200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34100 kr | 38600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32200 kr | 37000 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33800 kr | 38600 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 34100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 45-54 | 34500 kr | 38900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34900 kr | 39200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34100 kr | 38600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 31000 kr | 35600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33100 kr | 37300 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33300 kr | 36600 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 32900 kr | 36800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 31000 kr | 35600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33100 kr | 37300 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33300 kr | 36600 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 32900 kr | 36800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 31000 kr | 35600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33100 kr | 37300 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33300 kr | 36600 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 32900 kr | 36800 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 Planers, sawmills has the SSYK code 8173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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