Image that illustrates Food workers, dairy products

Food workers, dairy products

35 000 kr

Machine operators, dairy

34 700 - 38 600 kr / month

Women earn 104% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Food workers, dairy products

Average salary 35 000 kr
Males 34 700 kr
Females 36 000 kr

What does a food worker in the dairy industry do? – Tasks and work environment

A food worker in dairy products primarily works with the production, processing, and packaging of milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy-based products. Tasks often include monitoring and controlling automated production lines, quality control, cleaning and maintenance of machines, and documenting production data. The work environment is usually industrial, often with shift work and high hygiene standards. Precision, responsibility, and the ability to work both independently and in teams are required to ensure high quality and safety in production.

Salary development over time

The salary development for food workers in dairy products has shown a significant increase in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,900 SEK per month, while both 2023 and 2024 show an average salary of 35 000 SEK. This corresponds to an increase of about 9.7% between 2022 and 2023, after which the level has stabilized. This positive trend can partly be explained by increased demand for dairy products, changes in collective agreements, and skill requirements for modern production facilities. The difference between the years also indicates that the profession has become more attractive, which may have positively influenced salary levels.

Food worker in dairy industry salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 35 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,700 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 38,600 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 210 SEK
  • Women: 36,000 SEK/month
  • Men: 34,700 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 104% of what men do
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Work in dairy production often involves close collaboration with advanced technology and automated machines. For those interested in food safety and quality work, the profession offers an exciting combination of practical work and technical knowledge.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

To work as a food worker in dairy, a high school education is generally required, often with a focus on food technology or equivalent. Many employers also seek practical experience from industrial or production work. Internal training and certifications are common to ensure staff have the right skills and understanding of hygiene and safety requirements.

  • High school education: Food program, 3 years
  • Internal courses: Hygiene, machine safety, and quality assurance
  • Internship: Common during education and employment
  • Prerequisites: Often basic mathematics and technical understanding
  • Certifications: May be required for specific machines or processes

Typical benefits and compensations

Food workers in dairy are often covered by collective agreements that provide benefits such as occupational pension, health insurance, wellness allowance, and shift allowances. It is also common to have extra vacation days, employee discounts on company products, and opportunities for skills development through internal training and courses.

Competition and challenges

The job market for dairy food workers is relatively stable, but competition for the most attractive positions can be significant, especially in regions with large dairy facilities. Automation of production means fewer but more qualified positions are in demand, which requires higher technical understanding and adaptability. Shift work and physically demanding tasks can be challenging for some, while high hygiene standards require great attention to detail. To succeed in the profession, it is important to stay updated on new technologies and safety routines.

Tips for aspiring dairy food workers

To succeed as a dairy food worker, it is good to have a genuine interest in food and technology and to be precise in your work. Developing teamwork skills makes it easier to work efficiently in teams, which is common on production lines. Flexibility is an important trait, as shift work and quick adjustments are common. Showing initiative by taking responsibility for quality control and safety routines is appreciated by employers. Good physical health facilitates handling heavy lifts and long working days. Being solution-oriented helps with troubleshooting and maintenance of machines. Finally, curiosity and willingness to learn more about the industry’s development are advantageous for meeting future requirements.

Key facts about dairy food workers

  • Education level: High school education, often in food technology
  • Work environment: Industrial environment with shift work
  • Demand: 1,437 available jobs within the occupational group
  • Gender distribution: Women earn 104% of what men do
  • Special skills: Hygiene, machine handling, and quality assurance

Career paths and future prospects

After several years of experience as a dairy food worker, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as team leader, shift supervisor, or production planner. Further education in food safety or technical operations can also lead to specialist roles, such as quality manager or machine operator responsible for advanced equipment. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that demand for skilled labor in the dairy industry is expected to remain high, partly due to increased exports and technological development. Those willing to further their education have good prospects for long-term career development.

Frequently asked questions about dairy food workers

  • What does a dairy food worker earn?
    - The average salary is 35 000 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between women and men?
    - Yes, women earn 104% of what men do within the profession.
  • What does the job market look like?
    - There are 1,437 available jobs within the occupational group according to current data.
  • What education is required?
    - High school education in food technology is most common, supplemented with internal courses.
  • Is shift work common?
    - Yes, shift work often occurs at larger dairy facilities.
  • What is the highest salary in the profession?
    - The highest salary is 38,600 SEK per month, for a male private sector employee.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Attention to detail, teamwork skills, and technical interest are especially important.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Food workers, dairy products is 38600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 36000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Food workers, dairy products is 34700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 36000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 29200 kr 34200 kr
25-34 30600 kr 34200 kr
35-44 30900 kr 33900 kr
45-54 32400 kr 35700 kr
55-64 33200 kr 37400 kr
Snitt 104% 31300 kr 35000 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 Food workers, dairy products has the SSYK code 8162, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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