How much does a Chemical technician make

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  2. Chemical technician
Image that illustrates Chemical technician

Chemical technician

43 600 kr

Engineers and technicians in chemistry and chemical engineering

31 900 - 45 100 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Tekniskt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Chemical technician

Average salary 43 600 kr
Males 44 000 kr
Females 43 300 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 33 Vacant jobs ->

What does a chemical engineer do? – Tasks and work environment

A chemical engineer works on developing, analyzing, and monitoring chemical processes within industry, research, or laboratory settings. Common tasks include developing and testing new products, quality assurance of raw materials and finished products, and optimizing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and sustainability. The work environment varies depending on the workplace but often includes laboratories, production plants, or office settings where precision, safety, and documentation are central parts of daily work.

Salary development over time

Salary statistics for chemical engineers show a clear positive trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 40200 SEK per month, which increased to 42 500 SEK in 2023 and further to 43 600 SEK in 2024. The total increase over three years amounts to approximately 8.5%, which is slightly above the average salary development for engineering professions overall. The increase can mainly be explained by a growing demand for specialized chemical expertise within Swedish industry, as well as a higher proportion of chemical engineers with post-secondary education. Salary disparities are evident between the public and private sectors, and between different educational levels.

Chemical engineer salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 43 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,900 SEK/month (public sector, female, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Highest salary: 45,100 SEK/month (private sector, male, post-secondary education < 3 years)
  • Hourly wage: 262 SEK
  • Women: 43,300 SEK/month
  • Men: 44 000 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 98% of men's salary
  • Regional differences: Salary levels vary slightly, with higher averages in metropolitan areas and the private sector

Education and qualifications

To work as a chemical engineer, a post-secondary education in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related technical fields is usually required. The education can vary in length and focus, but a university engineering degree or equivalent vocational training is most common. Advanced knowledge in analytical chemistry, process technology, or laboratory methods is often meritorious, as well as experience with practical laboratory work during studies.

  • Formal degree: Bachelor of Engineering (3 years) or YH training (2–3 years) in chemistry/chemical engineering
  • Certifications: Courses in laboratory and safety work are recommended
  • Internships: Workplace-based internships or trainee programs provide valuable experience
  • Prerequisites: Scientific high school education, especially chemistry and mathematics
  • Tips: Choose programs with industrial connections or opportunities for workplace internships

Many chemical engineers work in interdisciplinary teams and collaborate closely with engineers, researchers, and product developers. The ability to communicate and explain complex chemical processes to colleagues with different backgrounds is often crucial for success and job satisfaction in the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Chemical engineers are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, extra vacation days, occupational pension, and opportunities for professional development. Employers in industry may also offer bonus programs, flexible working hours, and remote work options, depending on the nature of the tasks and safety requirements.

Competition and challenges

The job market for chemical engineers is characterized by relatively good demand, but competition for the most attractive roles in research and product development can be intense. Since the profession often requires specialized knowledge and practical experience, recent graduates may need to supplement their education with internships or trainee programs to be competitive. Rapid technological development and increased sustainability requirements mean that chemical engineers must continuously update their skills, which can be both a challenge and an opportunity for those interested in lifelong learning.

Tips for aspiring chemical engineers

To succeed as a chemical engineer, it is beneficial to combine analytical skills with precision and a curious approach to problem-solving. A structured work method facilitates quality control and documentation, while the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues can open doors to more projects and development opportunities. Being flexible and willing to learn new techniques is important, as the industry evolves quickly with new technology and digitalization. Practical experience, such as internships or summer jobs during studies, increases chances of employment after graduation. For those who are solution-oriented and interested in sustainable development, there are many exciting areas to specialize in.

Key facts about chemical engineers

  • Education level: Post-secondary (YH/higher engineering degree 2–3 years)
  • Work environment: Laboratory, production, or office
  • Typical employment: Full-time, daytime
  • Number of available jobs: 564 within the profession (May 2024)
  • Gender distribution: Slight differences, women earn 98% of men's salaries

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a chemical engineer, there are good opportunities to advance to more specialized roles such as process engineer, laboratory manager, or product developer. For those wishing to broaden their skills, further education in environmental technology, quality assurance, or project management can open new career paths. The employment service's prognosis for the profession is uncertain due to limited data, but the number of available positions and technological advancements in the chemical industry indicate a continued need for qualified chemical engineers. Regionally, demand is highest in metropolitan areas and where industry has a strong presence. Specialized competence in sustainability or digitalization can provide additional competitive advantages in the future.

Frequently asked questions about chemical engineers

  • What is the average salary of a chemical engineer?
    - The average salary for a chemical engineer is 43 600 SEK per month.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for chemical engineers?
    - The highest salary is 45,100 SEK, and the lowest is 31,900 SEK per month.
  • How do gender differences affect salaries for chemical engineers?
    - Women earn on average 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • What education is required to become a chemical engineer?
    - Post-secondary education, usually a university engineering degree or YH training in chemistry/chemical engineering.
  • What are the future prospects for chemical engineers?
    - The outlook is uncertain, but the number of available jobs is relatively high and demand is expected to remain stable.
  • In what work environments do chemical engineers work?
    - Most commonly in laboratories, production facilities, and offices.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 00:16:28

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Chemical technician is 45100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 43300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Chemical technician is 31900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 42600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 100% 38800 kr 39500 kr
35-44 107% 43500 kr 44300 kr
45-54 104% 48700 kr 49600 kr
55-64 91% 46000 kr 47200 kr
Snitt 98% 42800 kr 43600 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Chemical technician has the SSYK code 3115, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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