Image that illustrates Flap pickler

Flap pickler

30 400 kr

Other machine operators, textile, leather and leather industry

29 400 - 32 200 kr / month

Women earn 95% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Flap pickler

Average salary 30 400 kr
Males 31 200 kr
Females 29 700 kr

What does a linen breaker do? – tasks and work environment

A linen breaker works within the textile industry and primarily processes linen fibers into thread or yarn. The work is mainly carried out on specialized machines where raw material is treated through hacking, cleaning, and refining into a usable product. The work environment is often industrial, with noise, dust, and repetitive movements, requiring precision and patience. Safety routines and the use of protective equipment are common to minimize risks in daily production.

Salary development over time

Linen breakers have experienced stable salary growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,700 SEK per month, increasing to 29 600 in 2023 and further to 30 400 in 2024. This salary increase corresponds to a growth of just over 9.8% over three years, which is slightly higher than the average for similar industrial occupations. The development is driven by a combination of general wage inflation and increased demand for skilled operators in the textile sector. Despite limited recruitment in some locations, the industry continues to value experience and technical skill, reflected in salary increases.

Salary overview for linen breakers

  • Average salary: 30 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 29,400 SEK (female, private employee, high school education 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 32,200 SEK (male, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
  • Hourly wage (average): 183 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Men earn 31 200 SEK, women 29 700 SEK (women earn 95 % of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Some variation exists depending on employer and sector, but detailed data is limited.

Education and qualifications

To become a linen breaker, a high school education with an industrial or textile focus is typically required, supplemented with internal training and machine familiarity. Many employers value practical experience from the textile industry or similar production, and some offer introductory programs for new operators. Formal requirements are relatively few, but the ability to handle technical equipment and follow safety procedures is essential.

  • High school education: Industrial or textile focus, 2–3 years
  • Introductory training: Often provided internally upon employment
  • Practical training: Practical tasks during education or as a trainee
  • Prerequisites: Good physical health, patience, technical interest
  • Certificates/courses: Some workplaces require certification in machine safety

Although machines and automation have increased in the textile industry, the linen breaker’s expertise in material quality and machine adjustment remains invaluable for achieving the best results. Knowledge of different linen fibers and their properties requires a trained eye, and many employers value experience and craftsmanship highly.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Linen breakers are often offered benefits such as collective agreement-based occupational pension, wellness subsidies, and work clothing. Additional pay for unsocial hours and opportunities for further training and skills development within the company are also common. Some employers offer bonuses tied to production targets and safety work.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a linen breaker varies depending on region and company size. Since the profession is specialized and belongs to a smaller occupational group, there are limited advertised jobs but relatively few applicants with the right experience. A major challenge is staying updated on new technology and changing work methods, while the work environment can be physically demanding and repetitive. Automation and digitalization pressure workers to continually develop their skills to remain attractive on the job market.

Tips for those who want to become a linen breaker

To succeed as a linen breaker, it’s important to be precise and patient, as the work involves repeated tasks with high quality demands. An interest in technology facilitates understanding of machines and processes, making it easier to identify and fix minor faults. Flexibility and willingness to learn new things are key qualities, especially in a sector where technology evolves rapidly. Good physical endurance is needed to handle sometimes monotonous and physically demanding work. Being cooperative and able to communicate with colleagues contributes to a better work environment and more efficient production. Attention to safety routines and workplace regulations is crucial to minimize risks. Finally, an interest in textile materials and their properties can give an advantage in the role.

Key facts about linen breakers

  • Education level: High school education with industrial or textile focus
  • Work environment: Industrial environment with machines and noise
  • Work form: Shift work is common
  • Demand: 1,437 available jobs in 2024
  • Gender distribution: Small salary differences, women earn 95 % of men's salary

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a linen breaker, there are opportunities to advance to supervisor, production manager, or technical specialist in machine maintenance. Within the broader group of machine operators in the textile, leather, and fur industries, there are also opportunities to switch to roles such as process operator or specialized machine technician. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, forecasts are uncertain for linen breakers due to limited statistics, but there are a total of 1,437 available jobs in related occupational groups. Digitalization and technological development are expected to influence the profession, but demand for operators with practical experience and material knowledge remains.

Frequently asked questions about linen breakers

  • What does a linen breaker earn?
    - The average salary for a linen breaker is 30 400 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salaries for linen breakers?
    - Women earn an average of 29 700 SEK, which is 95 % of men's salary.
  • What education is required to become a linen breaker?
    - High school education with an industrial or textile focus, combined with internal training, is most common.
  • What are the future prospects for linen breakers?
    - Prognoses are uncertain, but there are 1,437 available jobs in related occupational groups.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a linen breaker?
    - The highest salary is 32,200 SEK, and the lowest is 29,400 SEK.
  • Does a linen breaker work mainly day shifts or shifts?
    - Shift work is common in the profession.
  • Are there regional differences in salaries for linen breakers?
    - Regional differences exist, but detailed statistics are limited.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Flap pickler is 32200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 30300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Flap pickler is 29400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 31000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 25600 kr 27300 kr
25-34 94% 27400 kr 29500 kr
35-44 95% 28700 kr 29900 kr
45-54 92% 29400 kr 31200 kr
55-64 94% 29900 kr 31300 kr
Snitt 95% 28800 kr 30400 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 Flap pickler has the SSYK code 8159, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
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11 738
Fees
12 129

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* Updated with 2025 taxes