Image that illustrates Pallet builder

Pallet builder

33 000 kr

Machine carpenters and machine operators, wood industry

32 200 - 33 800 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Pallet builder

Average salary 33 000 kr
Males 33 100 kr
Females 32 200 kr

What does a pallet builder do? – Tasks and work environment

A pallet builder mainly works within the timber industry and is responsible for manufacturing, assembling, and sometimes repairing wooden pallets. The work often takes place in production environments involving both manual and machine-assisted tasks. Typical duties include handling wood components, nailing or screwing pallets, and quality control to ensure pallets meet current standards. The work environment is often physical and can be noisy, with requirements for good safety practices and awareness of machinery and tools.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for pallet builders has shown a stable and slightly positive trend. In 2022, the average salary was 31,100 SEK, which increased to 32 900 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary is 33 000 SEK. This increase corresponds to a total salary rise of approximately 6% over three years, with the largest increase between 2022 and 2023. The salary development has been influenced by increased demand for labor in the timber industry, generally higher cost levels, and union negotiations on wages and working conditions. The trend is that wages within the professions of machine carpenters and machine operators, which include pallet builders, follow market needs and industry cycles.

Pallet builder salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 33 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 32,200 SEK/month (female), 32,700 SEK/month (male)
  • Highest salary: 33,600 SEK/month (female), 33,800 SEK/month (male)
  • Hourly wage: 198 SEK/hour (average for hourly workers)
  • Gender differences: Women earn 97% of what men do (women: 32,200 SEK, men: 33 100 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Specific regional salary differences are not available, but variations may occur depending on industry location and demand

Education and qualifications

To work as a pallet builder, typically no extensive formal education is required, but high school education in wood technology or industrial production is a common pathway. Practical experience and familiarity with machinery and tools are highly meritorious, and many employers offer on-the-job training. Certifications for machine handling and safety training may also be relevant depending on the workplace.

  • High school education: Industrial technology or construction and civil engineering programs (3 years)
  • Internship: Workplace-based learning during education or as a trainee
  • Certifications: Machinery safety, forklift licenses, and safety training
  • Prerequisites: Good physical condition and basic tool skills
  • Further education: Possible through the workplace or vocational training in the timber industry

The profession of a pallet builder offers opportunities to work in teams and develop a good sense of production flow. Many who enjoy the profession appreciate the practical work and immediate feedback when a pallet is completed. For those wishing to advance, there are often opportunities to take responsibility for quality control or lead smaller work teams.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Pallet builders often have access to collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, insurance coverage, and wellness contributions. Other common compensations include overtime pay for shift work, work clothing, and sometimes subsidized meals. Some workplaces also offer training and opportunities for skill development within the company.

Challenges and competition

The job market for pallet builders is influenced by the economic cycle in the timber and manufacturing industries. A challenge is the physical strain involved, requiring good health and stamina. Automation and efficiency improvements may reduce the need for manual labor over time, but there remains a significant demand for experienced workers. The regional competition varies, but overall, there are 1,437 job openings in the profession. Since the job does not require university education, competition for positions is relatively low, but experience and specialized skills can be crucial for securing the most attractive jobs.

Tips for aspiring pallet builders

To succeed as a pallet builder, it is important to develop a careful and responsible attitude toward work, as quality and safety are prioritized. A practical person with good physical endurance has good prospects for enjoying and performing well in the role, especially since the work is often repetitive and requires repeated tasks. Flexibility and effective teamwork are also important, as production often occurs in teams. To increase your chances of employment, obtaining a forklift license or other machinery credentials can be beneficial. Showing engagement and willingness to learn new tasks is appreciated by employers, and taking extra responsibility – for example, in quality control – can open doors for advancement. Finally, an interest in wood and material knowledge provides additional confidence in the role.

Key facts about pallet builders

  • Education level: High school education or equivalent
  • Work environment: Physical, often noisy and machine-intensive
  • Typical work arrangement: Shift work and team production
  • Demand: 1,437 job openings in the profession
  • Special skills: Machinery handling and quality control

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, pallet builders can progress to supervisory roles, such as team leader or quality manager within production. Some choose to further their education to become machine operators or specialists in maintenance of production equipment. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that it is difficult to precisely assess future prospects for this specific profession, but there is a stable demand for workers within the broader group of machine carpenters and machine operators in the timber industry. The number of job openings suggests ongoing needs for personnel, although technological developments may influence tasks over time.

Frequently asked questions about pallet builders

  • What is the average salary of a pallet builder?
    - The average salary for a pallet builder is 33 000 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn approximately 97% of what men do in the profession.
  • What education is required to become a pallet builder?
    - High school education in wood technology or industrial production is most common, but many are trained on-site.
  • What is the work environment like for a pallet builder?
    - The work environment is physical and often takes place in noisy production facilities with machinery.
  • What is the demand for pallet builders?
    - There are 1,437 job openings in the profession, indicating good demand.
  • What is the highest salary for a pallet builder?
    - The highest salary is 33,800 SEK for men and 33,600 SEK for women.
  • What is the hourly wage for a pallet builder?
    - The average for hourly workers is 198 SEK per hour.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Pallet builder is 33800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors with a pre-secondary education, 9 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 33600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Pallet builder is 32200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 32700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 29500 kr 31400 kr
25-34 31300 kr 32600 kr
35-44 31700 kr 32600 kr
45-54 32300 kr 33300 kr
55-64 99% 32700 kr 33900 kr
Snitt 97% 31900 kr 33000 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 Pallet builder has the SSYK code 7523, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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