What is the average salary of a column worker?

The average salary for a column worker is 32,000 SEK per month.

What are the highest and lowest salaries for a column worker?

The highest salary is 34,700 SEK and the lowest is 29,700 SEK per month.

Are there salary differences between men and women?

Yes, men earn an average of 32,700 SEK and women 31,100 SEK, which means women earn 95% of men's salaries.

What is the working environment like for column workers?

The working environment is industrial, often involving shift work, noise, and sometimes heavy lifting.

What education is required to become a column worker?

A vocational upper secondary education in industry or technology is usually sufficient.

What are the future prospects?

Demand remains strong with over 1,400 job openings in the profession.

What career opportunities exist after a few years?

There are opportunities to advance to roles such as supervisor, process operator, or to further education for technical specialist roles.

Column workers salary

33 700 SEK

Other machine operators, food industry etc.

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

30 300 - 36 400 SEK / month

Women earn 95% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

Average salary 33 700 SEK/month Monthly gross salary

Salary range 30 300 - 36 400 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

Jump to

Salary trend About the role What does a column worker do? – Tasks and working environment Salary development over time Column worker salary – comprehensive overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Column workers

2 Likes 0 Comments 23 Vacant jobs ->

What does a column worker do? – Tasks and working environment

A column worker primarily works within the food industry and other manufacturing sectors where raw materials are processed by machinery. Tasks include monitoring and controlling machines and production lines, performing basic maintenance, and ensuring that production meets quality standards. The work requires good attention to detail and the ability to quickly address operational disruptions. The working environment is often industrial, involving noise, shift work, and sometimes heavy lifting. Safety regulations are strictly followed to minimize risks.

Salary development over time

Column workers have experienced stable salary growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,300 SEK per month, which increased slightly to 32 000 in 2023 and then to 33 700 in 2024. The total increase between 2022 and 2024 amounts to approximately 5.6%. This trend reflects steady demand for the profession in the industry, especially as automation increases the need for technically skilled operators. Salary levels are also influenced by collective agreements and the overall labor market development for machine operators. Despite the slow growth, the trend indicates that the profession remains attractive, particularly in regions with a strong food industry.

Column worker salary – comprehensive overview

Average salary: 33 700 SEK/month
Lowest salary: 29,700 SEK/month
Highest salary: 34,700 SEK/month
Hourly wage (average): 192 SEK
Women earn: 32 400 SEK/month (95% of men's salary)
Men earn: 34 200 SEK/month
Regional differences: Highest salaries are found in regional sectors, lowest in private sector

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a column worker usually involves a vocational upper secondary education, preferably in industry, technology, or food production. Practical experience and technical interest are important factors, as the work requires familiarity with machinery and understanding of production processes. Some employers may also require specific certifications or internal training depending on the type of production.

Vocational education: Industry or food program, 2–3 years
Certifications: Machine operator licenses or internal safety courses
Internship: Often through vocational training or summer jobs in industry
Prerequisites: Technical interest and good physical condition
Tips: Extra courses in automation or process technology can be advantageous

Column workers often have the opportunity to work in teams where collaboration and communication are crucial for smooth production. It is a profession where you quickly see the results of your work, and changes in the production flow constantly require adaptation and problem-solving.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Column workers are often covered by collective agreements that include benefits such as extra vacation, overtime pay for evening and weekend work, and access to wellness allowances. Other common benefits include pension contributions, work clothing, and sometimes subsidized meals. Shift work may also entail higher salary supplements depending on the workplace and agreement.

Challenges and competition

Demand for column workers remains stable, but competition can vary depending on the region and industry development. Automation and new technology introduce increased requirements for technical skills and adaptability. A challenge is that the work environment can sometimes be physically demanding and involve monotonous tasks, which require endurance and precision. Larger employers often seek experienced candidates, while smaller companies may be more open to beginners. To stand out in the job market, specialized knowledge in process technology or automation is advantageous.

Tips for those who want to become a column worker

To succeed as a column worker, it is beneficial to have a technical interest and a willingness to learn new machines and processes. Good teamwork skills facilitate a safe and efficient production environment. Problem-solving abilities are valuable since operational disruptions can occur and require quick action. Precision is important because product quality often depends on attention to detail. Flexibility and adaptability help handle changes in tasks or working hours, especially during shift work. Being physically active is also wise, as some tasks can be heavy. Finally, initiative and willingness to take responsibility can make you more attractive to employers.

Key facts about column workers

Education level: Vocational upper secondary education recommended
Work environment: Industrial environment with shift work
Demand: 1,437 job openings according to latest data
Gender distribution: Men have higher average salaries than women (34 200 SEK vs 32 400 SEK)
Special skills: Machinery operation and process technology are in demand

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as a column worker, there are opportunities to advance to more qualified roles such as supervisor, shift manager, or process operator. Further education in automation or production technology opens doors to technical services and specialist roles within the industry. Labor market forecasts indicate continued good demand, especially in regions with strong food and manufacturing industries. Automation may change tasks over time, but the need for skilled operators remains, as monitoring and maintenance of machines are central tasks. Opportunities for further training and internal career development are good for those wishing to stay within the industry.

Frequently asked questions about column workers

What is the average salary of a column worker?
- The average salary for a column worker is 33 700 SEK per month.
What are the highest and lowest salaries for a column worker?
- The highest salary is 34,700 SEK and the lowest is 29,700 SEK per month.
Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, men earn an average of 34 200 SEK and women 32 400 SEK, which means women earn 95% of men's salaries.
What is the working environment like for column workers?
- The working environment is industrial, often involving shift work, noise, and sometimes heavy lifting.
What education is required to become a column worker?
- A vocational upper secondary education in industry or technology is usually sufficient.
What are the future prospects?
- Demand remains strong with over 1400 job openings in the profession.
What career opportunities exist after a few years?
- Opportunities include advancement to supervisor, process operator, or further education for technical roles.

Richard Andersson - 2026-05-13 00:22:32

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	96%	29300 kr	32800 kr
25-34	100%	31500 kr	34200 kr
35-44		31700 kr	34000 kr
45-54	97%	32300 kr	35800 kr
55-64		28900 kr	31100 kr
Snitt	95%	30900 kr	33700 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	96%	29300 kr	32800 kr
25-34	100%	31500 kr	34200 kr
35-44		31700 kr	34000 kr
45-54	97%	32300 kr	35800 kr
55-64		28900 kr	31100 kr
Snitt	95%	30900 kr	33700 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	96%	29300 kr	32800 kr
25-34	100%	31500 kr	34200 kr
35-44		31700 kr	34000 kr
45-54	97%	32300 kr	35800 kr
55-64		28900 kr	31100 kr
Snitt	95%	30900 kr	33700 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	96%	29500 kr	33300 kr
25-34	100%	31600 kr	34100 kr
35-44		34500 kr	37300 kr
45-54	97%	32600 kr	36200 kr
55-64		27700 kr	0 kr
Snitt	95%	31400 kr	34200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	96%	29500 kr	33300 kr
25-34	100%	31600 kr	34100 kr
35-44		34500 kr	37300 kr
45-54	97%	32600 kr	36200 kr
55-64		27700 kr	0 kr
Snitt	95%	31400 kr	34200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	96%	29500 kr	33300 kr
25-34	100%	31600 kr	34100 kr
35-44		34500 kr	37300 kr
45-54	97%	32600 kr	36200 kr
55-64		27700 kr	0 kr
Snitt	95%	31400 kr	34200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	96%	29000 kr	31900 kr
25-34	100%	30900 kr	34200 kr
35-44		26500 kr	0 kr
45-54	97%	31500 kr	35000 kr
55-64		31800 kr	34900 kr
Snitt	95%	29700 kr	32400 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	96%	29000 kr	31900 kr
25-34	100%	30900 kr	34200 kr
35-44		26500 kr	0 kr
45-54	97%	31500 kr	35000 kr
55-64		31800 kr	34900 kr
Snitt	95%	29700 kr	32400 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24	96%	29000 kr	31900 kr
25-34	100%	30900 kr	34200 kr
35-44		26500 kr	0 kr
45-54	97%	31500 kr	35000 kr
55-64		31800 kr	34900 kr
Snitt	95%	29700 kr	32400 kr

* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.

Salary per sector

Salary based on education

Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

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 Column workers has the SSYK code 8169, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.