- Salary statistics
- Machine drill
Machine drill
41 300 - 47 500 kr / month
Bygg & anläggning
Salary progression Machine drill
What does a machine driller do? – Tasks and work environment
A machine driller mainly works with drilling in rock and stone, often within the mining and construction sectors. Tasks include preparing, operating, and monitoring drilling rigs and other heavy equipment to create holes for blasting, ventilation, or exploration. The machine driller is also responsible for safety at the drill site, performs daily inspections of machinery, and ensures work is carried out according to instructions and safety regulations. The work environment can be challenging, as it often takes place outdoors or underground, requiring precision, good physical condition, and high safety awareness.
Salary development over time
Machine drillers have experienced varied salary development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 42,900 SEK per month, which increased significantly to 50 600 SEK in 2023. Subsequently, a decrease was noted to 47 500 SEK in 2024, representing a reduction of approximately 6.1% from the previous year. This variation can partly be explained by changes in demand within the mining and construction sectors, where project volumes and labor market conditions influence salary levels. Overall, the profession is well-paid, but salaries are also affected by the availability of qualified workers and regional factors. Despite the recent decline, salaries remain high compared to many other trades.
Machine driller salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 47 500 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data unavailable
- Hourly wage: 286 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: Men earn 47 700 SEK, data on women is unavailable
- Regional differences: Insufficient data available
Education and qualifications
To work as a machine driller, a high school education in construction and civil engineering is usually required, preferably with a focus on construction vehicles or similar. Many employers also consider practical experience and a machine operator certificate as advantageous. In some cases, on-the-job training or trainee programs are offered. The profession often requires various certifications depending on the work environment and type of machinery, as well as good physical health and high safety consciousness.
- High school education: Construction and civil engineering (3 years)
- Certificates: Machine operator certificate and sometimes specific drilling certificates
- Internship: Common during education and as an introduction at the workplace
- Prerequisites: Good physical health, technical interest, and safety focus
- Further training: Opportunities for internal courses and specialization
The machine drilling profession often involves shift work, which can provide both flexibility and challenges in daily life. Those who enjoy physical work and want a varied outdoor or underground work environment may find great satisfaction in this profession, especially since teams often work closely together and build strong camaraderie.
Common benefits and compensations
The machine drilling profession is often characterized by benefits such as shift allowances for night or shift work, overtime pay, and generous per diems when working at different locations. Many employers also offer wellness allowances, work clothing, and opportunities for further training. In some cases, bonuses or performance-based compensation may also be present depending on the project and company.
Competition and challenges
The job market for machine drilling is influenced by the economic situation in the mining and construction sectors. Since the work is specialized and requires experience and certification, competition can be moderate but varies regionally. A challenge is that the work environment can be demanding, with tough weather conditions and sometimes underground work. Safety requirements are high, and precision and responsibility are crucial. Additionally, long working hours and shift work can be strenuous for both body and private life, making the profession unsuitable for everyone. For those with the right profile, however, there are good job opportunities, especially in regions with active mining and construction projects.
Tips for aspiring machine drillers
To succeed as a machine driller, it is important to have a strong focus on safety, as work often occurs in risky environments where precision is essential. Being resilient and physically fit helps during long working days and heavy lifts, especially in shift work. Technical interest facilitates learning about machinery and equipment, while teamwork and communication skills are vital in collaborative work settings. Flexibility and adaptability are also necessary since tasks often vary and conditions can change rapidly. An initiative-taking and solution-oriented attitude can lead to quick development and increased responsibility. Taking advantage of internships or internal training is recommended to gain experience and build a network within the industry.
Key facts about machine drillers
- Education level: High school vocational education in construction/civil engineering
- Work environment: Often outdoors or underground, sometimes shift work
- Demand: 379 job openings according to the latest survey
- Occupational group: Mining and quarrying workers
- Requirements: Machine operator certificate and safety certification
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a machine driller, there are opportunities to advance to site supervisor, machine manager, or technical specialist in drilling and blasting. Some choose to further educate themselves as site managers or project leaders within construction and civil engineering, while others move into training or safety roles. The employment outlook for mining and quarrying workers does not provide a clear forecast, but the number of job openings was 379 according to the latest survey, indicating continued demand. Digitalization and technological development also mean new roles may emerge over time, especially for those open to further education and specialization.
Common questions about machine drillers
- What does a machine driller earn?
- The average salary for a machine driller is 47 500 SEK per month. - What education is required to become a machine driller?
- High school education in construction and civil engineering, along with a machine operator certificate, is recommended. - What is the job market like for machine drillers?
- There is strong demand, with 379 job openings according to the latest survey. - What work environments do machine drillers work in?
- Mostly outdoors or underground, sometimes in shifts, with high safety requirements. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Men earn an average of 47 700 SEK, data on women is unavailable. - What benefits are common in the profession?
- Shift allowances, per diems, health allowances, and further training opportunities are common.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38600 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43100 kr | 51400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43100 kr | 49400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 43900 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41300 kr | 47500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38600 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43100 kr | 51400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43100 kr | 49400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 43900 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41300 kr | 47500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38600 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43100 kr | 51400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43100 kr | 49400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 43900 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41300 kr | 47500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38200 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43200 kr | 51600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43900 kr | 50400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44000 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41500 kr | 47700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38200 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43200 kr | 51600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43900 kr | 50400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44000 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41500 kr | 47700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 38200 kr | 0 kr | |
| 35-44 | 43200 kr | 51600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 43900 kr | 50400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44000 kr | 51400 kr | |
| Snitt | 41500 kr | 47700 kr |
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 Machine drill has the SSYK code 8111, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
-
Planning techniques, construction and civil engineering
Engineers and technicians in construction and engineering
Fri, 5 Dec 2025 - 05:56
-
Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest
Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35 -
The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden
Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00