- Salary statistics
- Machine operator, bakery
Machine operator, bakery
30 500 - 34 600 kr / month
Women earn 108% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Machine operator, bakery
What does a machine operator in a bakery do? – Tasks and working environment
A machine operator in a bakery is responsible for monitoring, controlling, and maintaining the machines used in the production of bread, pastries, and other bakery products. Tasks include starting and setting up machines, overseeing production, checking the quality of finished products, and performing simple maintenance work. It also often involves refilling raw materials, adjusting machine settings, and troubleshooting minor technical issues that may arise during production. The working environment is typically industrial and can be noisy and warm, especially during peak seasons and in larger bakeries where production runs in shifts.
Salary development over time
The salary for a machine operator in a bakery has fluctuated over recent years. In 2022, the average was 32 100 SEK per month, rising to 34 100 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has decreased slightly to 32 500 SEK. This development reflects an initial increase of just over 6% between 2022 and 2023, followed by a decline of about 5% in the past year. These fluctuations can be explained by changes in demand, labor market availability of skilled personnel, and external factors influencing the industry’s salary levels overall. Despite these variations, the profession remains stable within the industrial sector, with good demand for workers.
Machine operator, bakery salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 32 500 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 30,500 SEK/month (private sector male, post-secondary education <3 years)
- Highest salary: 34,600 SEK/month (both men and women, various sectors)
- Hourly wage: 195 SEK (average, hourly worker at 166 hours/month)
- Women earn: 34,600 SEK/month (108% of men's salary)
- Men earn: 32 100 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on region and employer
Education and qualifications
To work as a machine operator in a bakery, a high school diploma with a focus on food production or industry is generally required. Many employers also offer internal training and onboarding on-site. Practical experience and technical interest are valued merits. In some cases, shorter post-secondary courses or certifications in food handling may be advantageous.
- High school education: Food program, 3 years
- Certifications: Food hygiene, machine safety
- Internships: Common during education
- Internal training: Introduction and supervision often offered on the job
- Technical interest: Valuable for understanding and handling machines
Machine operators in bakeries often have the opportunity to influence product development by reporting improvement suggestions directly to production management. This contributes to making the work tasks more varied and stimulating than many might expect from an industrial profession.
Common benefits and compensations
Machine operators in bakeries often have access to benefits such as overtime pay for unsociable hours, wellness contributions, work clothing, and sometimes subsidized meals. Other common compensations include overtime allowances, opportunities for skill development, and collective insurance agreements. The extent of benefits can vary depending on the employer and geographic area.
Competition and challenges
The job market for machine operators in bakeries is relatively stable but characterized by some competition, especially in metropolitan areas and larger bakeries. Challenges may arise from automation and technological development, which demand higher technical skills and flexibility. Physically demanding work and shift work are common, which can affect work-life balance. The industry also requires accuracy and the ability to quickly solve problems that may occur during production.
Tips for those who want to become a machine operator in a bakery
To succeed as a machine operator in a bakery, attention to detail is important, as quality control and machine settings require precision. An interest in technology makes it easier to adjust machines or quickly fix minor faults. Flexibility is an advantage, as tasks and working hours can vary, especially with shift work or high production rates. Good teamwork skills are also vital, since the work is often done in teams and involves communication with colleagues and management. Lastly, being able to handle stress is valuable, as the pace can be high and focus must be maintained even under pressure.
Key facts about Machine Operator, bakery
- Education level: High school diploma, often with a focus on food or industry
- Work environment: Industrial, often shift work and high tempo
- Demand: 1,437 available jobs according to current matching
- Gender distribution: Women have a higher average salary than men in the profession
- Special skills: Technical handling and food management are advantageous
Career paths and future prospects
After a few years of experience as a machine operator in a bakery, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as team leader, supervisor, or production planner. Some choose to further their education in automation, quality assurance, or food technology to broaden their career options. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, the outlook for the profession is stable, with continued good demand thanks to growth in the food industry. The technological development within bakery production is expected to increase demand for operators with good machine knowledge and flexibility in the coming years.
Frequently asked questions about Machine Operator, bakery
- What does a machine operator in a bakery earn?
- The average salary for a machine operator in a bakery is 32 500 SEK per month. - How does the salary difference between women and men look?
- Women earn an average of 34,600 SEK, which is 108% of men's salary at 32 100 SEK. - What is the highest salary for a machine operator in a bakery?
- The highest salary is 34,600 SEK per month, for both men and women in different sectors. - What education is required to become a machine operator in a bakery?
- High school education with a focus on food or industry is most common, often supplemented with internal training. - Are there many jobs in the profession?
- Currently, there are 1,437 available jobs in this occupation according to recent statistics. - What is the working environment like for machine operators in a bakery?
- The working environment is industrial, often with shift work and high tempo. - What benefits are usually offered?
- Common benefits include overtime pay, wellness contributions, work clothing, and collective insurance agreements.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 27500 kr | 34400 kr |
| 25-34 | 116% | 29200 kr | 30700 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 31600 kr | 35500 kr |
| 45-54 | 108% | 29500 kr | 32600 kr |
| 55-64 | 107% | 30400 kr | 33100 kr |
| Snitt | 108% | 29300 kr | 32500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 27500 kr | 34400 kr |
| 25-34 | 116% | 29200 kr | 30700 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 31600 kr | 35500 kr |
| 45-54 | 108% | 29500 kr | 32600 kr |
| 55-64 | 107% | 30400 kr | 33100 kr |
| Snitt | 108% | 29300 kr | 32500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 27500 kr | 34400 kr |
| 25-34 | 116% | 29200 kr | 30700 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 31600 kr | 35500 kr |
| 45-54 | 108% | 29500 kr | 32600 kr |
| 55-64 | 107% | 30400 kr | 33100 kr |
| Snitt | 108% | 29300 kr | 32500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 27300 kr | 34600 kr |
| 25-34 | 116% | 28800 kr | 30200 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 31700 kr | 35900 kr |
| 45-54 | 108% | 29200 kr | 32000 kr |
| 55-64 | 107% | 29900 kr | 32500 kr |
| Snitt | 108% | 29000 kr | 32100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 27300 kr | 34600 kr |
| 25-34 | 116% | 28800 kr | 30200 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 31700 kr | 35900 kr |
| 45-54 | 108% | 29200 kr | 32000 kr |
| 55-64 | 107% | 29900 kr | 32500 kr |
| Snitt | 108% | 29000 kr | 32100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 27300 kr | 34600 kr |
| 25-34 | 116% | 28800 kr | 30200 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 31700 kr | 35900 kr |
| 45-54 | 108% | 29200 kr | 32000 kr |
| 55-64 | 107% | 29900 kr | 32500 kr |
| Snitt | 108% | 29000 kr | 32100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 28100 kr | 33500 kr |
| 25-34 | 116% | 32200 kr | 35200 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 31500 kr | 34800 kr |
| 45-54 | 108% | 30600 kr | 34700 kr |
| 55-64 | 107% | 31700 kr | 34900 kr |
| Snitt | 108% | 30900 kr | 34600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 28100 kr | 33500 kr |
| 25-34 | 116% | 32200 kr | 35200 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 31500 kr | 34800 kr |
| 45-54 | 108% | 30600 kr | 34700 kr |
| 55-64 | 107% | 31700 kr | 34900 kr |
| Snitt | 108% | 30900 kr | 34600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 28100 kr | 33500 kr |
| 25-34 | 116% | 32200 kr | 35200 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 31500 kr | 34800 kr |
| 45-54 | 108% | 30600 kr | 34700 kr |
| 55-64 | 107% | 31700 kr | 34900 kr |
| Snitt | 108% | 30900 kr | 34600 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 operator, bakery has the SSYK code 8163, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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