Image that illustrates Varnish cooker

Varnish cooker

38 100 kr

Machine operators, chemical technology and photographic products

36 000 - 39 800 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Varnish cooker

Average salary 38 100 kr
Males 38 500 kr
Females 36 900 kr

What does a lack cooker do? – Tasks and work environment

A lack cooker primarily works with producing and processing lacquers and similar chemical products within industry. The profession involves monitoring and controlling machines and processes that mix, heat, and cook raw materials into finished lacquer products. The work often takes place in larger production facilities where high demands are placed on accuracy, quality, and safety. The work environment can be noisy and involve contact with chemicals, requiring the use of protective equipment and good knowledge of safety regulations. Maintenance of machines and quality checks of the products produced are also often included.

Salary development over time

Lack cookers have experienced a clear positive salary development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 32,600 SEK per month, increasing to 33 600 SEK during 2023. The latest data from 2024 shows a continued rise to 38 100 SEK per month, which corresponds to an increase of nearly 17% over two years. This trend can partly be explained by increased demand for specialized skills within the chemical engineering industry and an increased focus on quality and safety in production. The shortage of experienced lack cookers has also contributed to rising wages, especially in certain regions and the private sector.

Lack cooker salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 38 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 36,000 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 39,800 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 229 SEK/hour
  • Women's salary: 36,900 SEK/month (96% of men's salary)
  • Men's salary: 38,500 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Salaries may vary depending on location, but exact figures are lacking for some regions.

Education and qualifications

To work as a lack cooker, a high school education in industrial technology, chemistry, or process industry is usually required. Many employers prefer candidates with experience in similar process industries or relevant certification courses. Practical on-the-job training is common and can complement formal education. Additional training or courses in work environment and safety are often advantageous.

  • High school education: Industrial technology program or equivalent (3 years)
  • Post-secondary education: Short vocational courses in chemistry/process industry (up to 3 years)
  • Certifications: Courses in chemical handling and safety
  • Practical training: Practical modules or trainee positions within industry
  • Prerequisites: Basic mathematics and science

Many lack cookers develop a unique expertise in interpreting chemical processes with both technical skills and senses – scent, color, and consistency can provide important clues about whether the process is proceeding correctly. This intuition has become invaluable in the profession and is difficult to fully replace with automation.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Lack cookers are often offered benefits such as shift and overtime pay, extra vacation days, and wellness allowances. Other compensations may include work clothing, protective gear, and opportunities for further training in safety and technology. Occupational pension and insurance coverage are also common within the industry.

Competition and challenges

Competition for positions as a lack cooker has been relatively low, but the profession demands a high degree of precision and responsibility. The shortage of qualified workers can provide good opportunities for those with the right education and experience. At the same time, technological developments mean that work tasks are increasingly automated, requiring greater technical understanding and adaptability. Safety issues related to chemical handling and work environment are always relevant, and changes in industry demand can affect the job market. The work environment can be demanding, with exposure to noise and chemicals, requiring strict adherence to safety routines.

Tips for those wanting to become a lack cooker

To succeed as a lack cooker, it is beneficial to be both precise and responsible, as the work often involves handling chemicals and advanced equipment. A technical interest is valuable and makes it easier to understand and troubleshoot the machinery used in production. Showing initiative and willingness to learn new tasks facilitates career development, especially in an industry where technology evolves rapidly. Good teamwork skills are important as work is often performed in teams, and communication skills are needed to report deviations and safety risks. Flexibility and the ability to work shifts also increase employability since production can run around the clock. Prioritizing safety and following work environment regulations carefully are crucial for both personal and colleagues’ safety.

Key facts about lack cookers

  • Education level: High school or shorter post-secondary education
  • Work environment: Industrial, often with shift work and chemical handling
  • Typical employment form: Full-time, shift work possible
  • Demand: 1,437 job openings in 2024
  • Special skills: Process monitoring and chemical safety

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a lack cooker, there are opportunities to advance to supervisor, process manager, or technical specialist within production facilities. Further education can lead to roles as process engineer or work in quality control and product development. Future prospects are influenced by industrial development and automation in chemical production. The Employment Service does not provide a specific assessment for the profession due to limited data, but the broader occupational group has many vacancies, indicating ongoing demand for skilled personnel. For those interested in technology and chemical processes, there are good opportunities for development and specialization.

Common questions about lack cookers

  • What is the average salary of a lack cooker?
    - The average salary for a lack cooker is 38 100 SEK per month.
  • How has the salary development been for lack cookers?
    - Salaries have increased from 32,600 SEK (2022) to 38 100 SEK (2024), a rise of nearly 17% over two years.
  • Are there differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn an average of 36,900 SEK, which is 96% of men's salary (38,500 SEK).
  • What education is required to become a lack cooker?
    - High school education in industrial technology or chemistry is most common, sometimes supplemented with shorter vocational courses.
  • What are the job tasks of a lack cooker?
    - The work involves mixing, heating, and monitoring chemical processes as well as quality control and machine maintenance.
  • What does the job market look like for lack cookers?
    - Currently, there are 1,437 job openings in the profession, but no exact forecast from the Employment Service.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Attention to detail, responsibility, and technical interest are particularly valuable.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Varnish cooker is 39800 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 36900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Varnish cooker is 36000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 38500 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 33300 kr 37300 kr
35-44 35000 kr 39100 kr
45-54 35400 kr 39200 kr
55-64 34800 kr 38900 kr
Snitt 96% 34200 kr 38100 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 Varnish cooker has the SSYK code 8132, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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