What does an LD operator earn?

An LD operator has an average salary of 39,700 SEK per month, with men earning slightly more than women.

What education is required to become an LD operator?

High school education with a focus on industry or technology is most common, supplemented with practical training and specialized safety courses.

What is the working environment like for an LD operator?

The work takes place in an industrial environment with noise, heat, and high safety requirements, often involving shift work.

Are there salary differences between men and women?

Yes, women earn approximately 95% of what men earn in the profession.

What development opportunities are available within the profession?

There are opportunities to advance to leadership roles or specialize in process and automation technology.

What is the demand for LD operators?

The demand is considered stable, with 481 job openings in the profession according to the latest survey.

What is the highest salary for an LD operator?

The highest salary is 40,200 SEK per month and belongs to a man in the regional sector with high school education.

LD operator salary

39 300 SEK

Process supervisors, metal production

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

37 900 - 40 900 SEK / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Installation & drift/underhåll

Average salary 39 300 SEK/month Monthly gross salary

Salary range 37 900 - 40 900 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does an LD operator do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time LD operator salary – comprehensive overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data

Salary progression LD operator

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What does an LD operator do? – Tasks and work environment

An LD operator primarily works in the metal industry by monitoring and controlling the process in LD converters, where iron is transformed into steel through oxygen addition. Tasks include checking process parameters, ensuring the quality of the final product, and quickly addressing operational disruptions. The environment is often industrial with high temperatures and noise, requiring good concentration and safety awareness. Collaboration with other operators and technicians is central, and the work may involve shift work, including nights and weekends.

Salary development over time

The profession of LD operator has experienced steady salary growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,400 SEK per month. The following year, 2023, the average salary increased to 39 700 SEK, representing an increase of about 3.6%. This positive trend has continued into 2024, when the average salary now amounts to 39 300 SEK per month, a further increase of over 5% compared to the previous year. Factors driving this development include high demand for skilled operators in the metal industry, technological advancements, and increased focus on specialized skills and safety. The salary growth also reflects industry needs to retain experienced employees in a competitive labor market.

LD operator salary – comprehensive overview

Average salary: 39 300 SEK/month
Lowest salary: 38,000 SEK/month (women), 39,200 SEK/month (men)
Highest salary: 40,200 SEK/month (men), 38,000 SEK/month (women)
Hourly wage: 239 SEK/hour
Gender differences: Women earn 96% of men's salary
Regional differences: Data varies, highest salary in regional sector

Education and qualifications

To work as an LD operator, a high school education with a focus on industry, technology, or process is usually required. Many employers also require specific certifications and training in process monitoring, along with industry experience. Practical training and onboarding at the workplace are common, as the tasks are specialized and safety requirements are high.

High school education: Industry or technology programs, 3 years
Certifications: Safety and process training, often workplace-specific
Internship: Workplace internships or trainee periods are common
Prerequisites: Good physical condition, technical interest, and safety awareness
Tips: Additional courses in automation can be advantageous

Working as an LD operator often involves handling advanced control systems and making quick decisions during operational disruptions. Technical curiosity and the ability to work methodically are therefore particularly valuable qualities for thriving and developing within the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

LD operators are often offered benefits such as shift allowances, extra pay for unsociable hours, and sometimes bonuses based on production or safety goals. Access to wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes subsidized meals at the workplace are common. Occupational pension and insurance are almost always included in the employment.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as an LD operator is moderate to low, but employers set high demands for technical understanding and responsibility. Since the profession is specialized and onboarding can be extensive, mobility between workplaces is limited. Challenges in the profession include the physically demanding environment, high safety standards, and the need for constant vigilance during process monitoring. Technological advancements in automation are also changing the work content, requiring ongoing skills development. The number of job openings in process monitoring and metal production is 481 according to the latest survey, indicating demand but also emphasizing the importance of the right competence for employment.

Tips for those who want to become an LD operator

To succeed as an LD operator, it is good to combine technical interest with accuracy and responsibility. Being solution-oriented helps during unexpected stoppages, while good communication skills facilitate teamwork. Engagement in safety matters is crucial, as the work environment is often challenging and requires vigilance. Flexibility and the ability to work shifts are advantageous, especially in an industry where production runs around the clock. Being eager to learn and quickly grasp new technology makes it easier to keep up with industry developments. Additionally, initiative and the ability to introduce new working methods or improvements are appreciated, which can lead to further training and advancement. Finally, patience and stress resilience are important qualities for managing both routine and high-pressure situations.

Key facts about LD operators

Education level: High school diploma, often with an industrial focus
Work environment: Industrial, noisy, and hot environment with high safety standards
Work arrangement: Shift work, often around the clock
Demand: 481 job openings in the profession
Gender distribution: Dominated by men, but the proportion of women is increasing

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as an LD operator, opportunities open up to advance to senior operator, shift supervisor, or process manager in metal production. Further education in automation or operational safety can lead to specialist roles or work in process development. The labor market forecasts do not provide an exact assessment for LD operators but indicate a stable need in process monitoring and metal production. Technological shifts towards more automated processes may eventually change skill requirements, increasing the importance of continuous skills development. The profession also offers opportunities to transition to related roles such as production planner or maintenance technician.

Common questions about LD operators

What does an LD operator earn?
- An LD operator has an average salary of 39 300 SEK per month, with men earning slightly more than women.
What education is required to become an LD operator?
- High school education with a focus on industry or technology is most common, supplemented with practical training and specialized safety courses.
What is the work environment like for an LD operator?
- The work takes place in an industrial environment with noise, heat, and high safety requirements, often involving shift work.
Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn approximately 96% of men's salary within the profession.
What development opportunities are available within the profession?
- There are opportunities to advance to leadership roles or specialize in process and automation technology.
What is the demand for LD operators?
- The demand is considered stable, with 481 job openings in the profession according to the latest survey.
What is the highest salary for an LD operator?
- The highest salary is 40,200 SEK per month and belongs to a man in the regional sector with high school education.

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 21:42:05

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31700 kr	36900 kr
25-34		33100 kr	38000 kr
35-44		35200 kr	40700 kr
45-54		35300 kr	40500 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34400 kr	39300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31700 kr	36900 kr
25-34		33100 kr	38000 kr
35-44		35200 kr	40700 kr
45-54		35300 kr	40500 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34400 kr	39300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31700 kr	36900 kr
25-34		33100 kr	38000 kr
35-44		35200 kr	40700 kr
45-54		35300 kr	40500 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34400 kr	39300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31600 kr	36700 kr
25-34		33200 kr	38100 kr
35-44		35500 kr	41000 kr
45-54		35700 kr	41200 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34500 kr	39500 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31600 kr	36700 kr
25-34		33200 kr	38100 kr
35-44		35500 kr	41000 kr
45-54		35700 kr	41200 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34500 kr	39500 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31600 kr	36700 kr
25-34		33200 kr	38100 kr
35-44		35500 kr	41000 kr
45-54		35700 kr	41200 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34500 kr	39500 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt	96%	33400 kr	38100 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt	96%	33400 kr	38100 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt	96%	33400 kr	38100 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 LD operator has the SSYK code 8193, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

LD operator salary

LD operator salary

Salary progression LD operator

What does an LD operator do? – Tasks and work environment

Salary development over time

LD operator salary – comprehensive overview

Education and qualifications

Common benefits and compensations

Competition and challenges

Tips for those who want to become an LD operator

Key facts about LD operators

Career paths and future prospects

Common questions about LD operators

Salary distributed by age and sector

About the data

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