How much does a Laser operator, sheet metal make

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  2. Laser operator, sheet metal
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Laser operator, sheet metal

35 200 kr

Machine setters and machine operators, metal work

31 400 - 36 100 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Laser operator, sheet metal

Average salary 35 200 kr
Males 35 400 kr
Females 34 100 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 167 Vacant jobs ->

What does a sheet metal laser operator do? – Tasks and work environment

A sheet metal laser operator is responsible for programming, monitoring, and operating laser cutting machines used to cut and shape sheet metal parts with high precision. Tasks include interpreting drawings, setting up machines, quality control, and sometimes basic maintenance. The work is often performed in modern industrial environments where safety, accuracy, and efficiency are crucial. A significant part of the day is spent at or near the production line, requiring both technical understanding and practical skills.

Salary development over time

The salary for a sheet metal laser operator has shown positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,000 SEK per month, increasing to 34 000 SEK in 2023 and then to 35 200 SEK in 2024. This increase corresponds to a total growth of approximately 6.7% over the period, which is slightly higher than many other industrial professions. The salary increase can largely be explained by high demand for skilled operators, a shortage of labor in the field, and increased technical complexity in tasks. Additionally, wages have been influenced by inflation and industrial negotiations, further raising levels. Despite the positive trend, future salary increases may slow as automation and technological development impact the demand for the profession.

Sheet metal laser operator salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 35 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,400 SEK/month (female, private sector, pre-secondary education < 9 years)
  • Highest salary: 36,100 SEK/month (male, various sectors, post-secondary education < 3 years)
  • Hourly wage (average): 212 SEK/hour
  • Women's salary as % of men's: 96%
  • Average salary men: 35 400 SEK/month
  • Average salary women: 34 100 SEK/month

Education and qualifications

To work as a sheet metal laser operator, a high school education in industrial technology or similar is usually required, supplemented with specific courses in CNC technology or laser cutting. Practical experience from manufacturing is highly meritorious, and many employers prefer candidates who have completed internships or trainee programs. Certifications in machine safety and quality control can also be advantageous.

  • High school: Industrial technology program, 3 years
  • Vocational college: CNC or production technology, 1–2 years
  • Certifications: Machine safety, quality control
  • Internship: Recommended during or after education
  • Prerequisites: Basic mathematics and technology

Many sheet metal laser operators quickly take on significant responsibility for quality control and production flow, making the profession suitable for those who want to develop and assume leadership roles in production.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Sheet metal laser operators are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness contributions, and insurance. Many workplaces provide workwear, subsidized lunches, and opportunities for further training. Shift work may include shift allowances, and overtime pay is common during periods of high production demand.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a sheet metal laser operator is characterized by high demand and a pronounced shortage of qualified labor, providing good opportunities for those trained and experienced. At the same time, competition is expected to increase in the longer term as automation and technological development change the tasks and reduce the need for manual handling. To meet these challenges, continuous updating of technical skills and a willingness to learn new systems and machine types are required. The work environment can be physically demanding and requires high precision and safety awareness. Regional differences exist, with larger cities and industrial clusters often offering more opportunities and slightly higher salaries.

Tips for those wanting to become a sheet metal laser operator

To succeed as a sheet metal laser operator, it is helpful to have analytical skills and precision, which assist in interpreting drawings and ensuring high quality in production. An interest in technology makes it easier to adopt new machines and methods, while resilience is important for managing production demands and tight deadlines. Taking responsibility and being solution-oriented helps when unforeseen problems arise, and teamwork skills are needed to work effectively with other operators and technicians. Engagement in professional development, such as continuing education, also improves prospects for advancement and higher wages over time.

Key facts about sheet metal laser operators

  • Education level: High school or vocational college
  • Work environment: Industry, production environment
  • Demand: Significant shortage of trained workforce
  • Work form: Shift work is common
  • Special skills: CNC technology, laser cutting, quality control

Career paths and future outlook

After 3–5 years as a sheet metal laser operator, many advance to roles such as production supervisor, technician, quality manager, or machine setter. The Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts show very good job opportunities in the near term, but demand may decrease in the longer term due to increased automation and technological progress in industry. Nevertheless, there are many job openings in the profession – 1437 according to the latest statistics – making the job market currently open to both newly trained and experienced workers. Acquiring broad knowledge in production technology and digital control increases chances for career development and job security.

Frequently asked questions about sheet metal laser operators

  • What does a sheet metal laser operator earn?
    - The average salary is 35 200 SEK per month, but varies between 31,400 SEK and 36,100 SEK depending on experience, education, and sector.
  • What are the gender differences in salary?
    - Women earn an average of 34 100 SEK and men 35 400 SEK, which means women earn 96% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a sheet metal laser operator?
    - High school education in industrial technology or vocational college with a focus on CNC/production technology is recommended.
  • How does automation impact the profession?
    - In the long term, automation is expected to reduce demand for manual operators, but technical knowledge still offers good opportunities.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Yes, metropolitan regions and larger industrial areas often offer slightly higher salaries and more opportunities.
  • What are the most common career paths?
    - Typical steps include production supervisor, technician, quality manager, or further education in production technology.
  • What are the future outlooks?
    - High demand and many job openings exist in the short term, but technological development may reduce the need for new operators over the longer term.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 16:12:51

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Laser operator, sheet metal is 36100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 34500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Laser operator, sheet metal is 31400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 31800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 100% 30700 kr 32600 kr
25-34 98% 33400 kr 35300 kr
35-44 95% 33500 kr 35200 kr
45-54 97% 34300 kr 35900 kr
55-64 94% 34300 kr 35800 kr
65-68 33300 kr 34400 kr
Snitt 96% 33500 kr 35200 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 Laser operator, sheet metal has the SSYK code 7223, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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