Image that illustrates Cardboard machine operator

Cardboard machine operator

35 700 kr

Machine operators, paper goods industry

32 800 - 37 000 kr / month

Women earn 93% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Cardboard machine operator

Average salary 35 700 kr
Males 36 300 kr
Females 33 700 kr

What does a carton machine operator do? – Tasks and work environment

A carton machine operator is responsible for monitoring and operating machines that produce carton products, such as packaging and containers. The work involves starting, setting up, monitoring, and adjusting the machines to ensure smooth production and high-quality output. Tasks often include cleaning, basic maintenance, and troubleshooting during operational issues. The work environment is characterized by factory premises with machine noise, shift work, and high safety standards.

Salary development over time

The salary for a carton machine operator has shown steady growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 34,100 SEK per month, rising to 34 900 the following year. In 2024, the average salary increased further to 35 700, which is about a 4.7 % increase over three years. This positive trend reflects both increased demand for skilled workers in the paper and cardboard industry and regular industry-wide salary adjustments. The salary increase can also be linked to technological changes and higher skill requirements, which boost compensation for skilled operators.

Carton machine operator salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 35 700 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 32,800 SEK/month (female, high school education, 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 37,000 SEK/month (male, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
  • Hourly wage: 215 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Men 36 300 SEK/month, women 33 700 SEK/month (women earn 93 % of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Highest wages are found within regional sectors

Education and qualifications

To work as a carton machine operator, a high school education with a focus on industry, technology, or similar is usually required. Many employers also offer internal training and introduction to the specific machines used at the workplace. The profession demands accuracy, technical interest, and the ability to work independently with responsibility.

  • High school education: Industry or technical focus, 2–3 years
  • Internships: Internship periods during education are common
  • Internal training: Often mandatory upon hiring
  • Prerequisites: Technical interest and some machine experience are advantageous
  • Certifications: May be required for certain machines or work environments

Carton machine operators often work in teams where cooperation and clear communication are crucial to minimize downtime and ensure production flow. The ability to quickly identify and solve problems can be vital for the efficiency of the entire workgroup.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Typical benefits for carton machine operators include shift allowances for unsociable hours, occupational pension, wellness contributions, and sometimes subsidized meals. Extra compensation may also be provided for work during weekends or nights, and some employers offer further training and certification opportunities.

Competition and challenges

The profession of carton machine operators involves moderate competition in the job market, although the exact recruitment situation is hard to assess due to limited data. Automation and technological development mean that tasks are changing, requiring higher adaptability and technical skills. Challenges may also include physically demanding work and monotonous tasks. Nonetheless, there are good employment opportunities, especially for those who are flexible and willing to work shifts.

Tips for aspiring carton machine operators

To succeed as a carton machine operator, combining technical interest with practical skills is beneficial. Being precise and systematic helps to quickly detect and fix production issues. Good teamwork skills are important as the work often takes place in teams where communication and coordination are key. Initiative and a sense of responsibility are valued by employers, especially in keeping machines running and preventing downtime. Flexibility and shift work ability increase employment chances. Finally, gaining machine experience early through internships or summer jobs in industry can facilitate a smooth transition into the profession.

Key facts about carton machine operators

  • Educational level: High school, industry/technology 2–3 years
  • Work environment: Factory setting, often shift work
  • Typical employment: Full-time, sometimes hourly employment
  • Demand: 1437 job openings in the profession
  • Special skills: Machine handling and technical problem solving

Career paths and future outlook

After several years of experience, opportunities arise to advance to leadership roles such as team leader or production supervisor. Further education can also lead to positions as machine technician or process operator. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, there is no precise forecast for the profession due to limited data, but the large number of job openings indicates ongoing demand for skilled workers. Automation and digitalization may influence tasks in the future, but the need for machine-savvy operators is expected to remain long-term.

Frequently asked questions about carton machine operators

  • What is the average salary of a carton machine operator?
    - The average salary is 35 700 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, men earn on average 36 300 SEK and women 33 700 SEK, which means women earn approximately 93 % of men's salaries.
  • What education is needed to become a carton machine operator?
    - High school education with a focus on industry or technology is most common.
  • What is the work environment like?
    - The work is performed in a factory environment and often involves shift work and machine handling.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - Prognoses are lacking due to limited data, but there are many job openings within the profession.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary?
    - The highest salary is 37,000 SEK (male), the lowest is 32,800 SEK (female).
  • What benefits are common?
    - Common benefits include shift allowances, occupational pension, and wellness contributions.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Cardboard machine operator is 37000 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 34300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Cardboard machine operator is 32800 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 34500 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 27800 kr 32600 kr
25-34 30200 kr 34800 kr
35-44 31600 kr 36200 kr
45-54 89% 32000 kr 37200 kr
55-64 91% 32200 kr 37200 kr
Snitt 93% 30900 kr 35700 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 Cardboard machine operator has the SSYK code 8143, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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