- Salary statistics
- Machine operator, brewery salary
Machine operator, brewery salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2024. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
29 700 - 34 700 SEK / month
Women earn 95% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
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Salary progression Machine operator, brewery
What does a machine operator in a brewery do? – Tasks and work environment
A machine operator in a brewery is responsible for monitoring, controlling, and maintaining the machinery used in the production of beer, soda, and other beverages. The work involves daily checks of machinery function, handling raw materials, supervising the production process, and taking action in case of stoppages or technical issues. The work environment is often characterized by a fast pace, shift work, and strict hygiene requirements to ensure quality and food safety standards. Machine operators work closely with colleagues in production, warehousing, and quality assurance, which requires good communication skills and flexibility.
Salary development over time
The salary for a machine operator in a brewery has shown a steady upward trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,300 SEK per month. In 2023, it increased slightly to 31 900 SEK, and in 2024 the average salary has now reached 32 000 SEK. The total increase over three years is approximately 5.6%. The salary rise can largely be explained by increased demand for skilled labor in the food industry, where automation and technological development demand higher competence from operators. The shortage of experienced machine operators and increased competition for labor have also contributed to rising wages in the profession.
Machine operator, brewery salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 32 000 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 29,700 SEK/month (women), 30,400 SEK/month (men)
- Highest salary: 33,100 SEK/month (women), 34,700 SEK/month (men)
- Hourly wage (average): 192 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 95% of what men do (men: 32 700 SEK, women: 31 100 SEK)
- Regional differences: Highest wages are found in regional sectors; private sector employees generally have lower wages
Education and qualifications
To work as a machine operator in a brewery, a high school education in industry, food, or technology is usually required. Many employers also value experience from similar production or relevant internships, and it is common to supplement with internal training or certifications in safety and machine handling. Technical interest and the ability to quickly learn new processes are highly valued.
- High school education: Industry, technology, or food programs, 2–3 years
- Certifications/courses: Hygiene and safety training, machine-specific certificates
- Internship/traineeship: Internships in food production are advantageous
- Prerequisites: Basic technical interest and proficiency in Swedish, both spoken and written
- Tips for choosing: Combine theoretical studies with practical experience for the best chances of employment
Breweries often invest in internal skills development, meaning that those showing interest and engagement can get the chance to advance within the company. Knowledge of the entire beverage process, from raw material to finished product, is a valued trait that can open doors to more responsibilities over time.
Common benefits and compensations
Machine operators in breweries are often offered shift allowances for inconvenient working hours, wellness subsidies, work clothing, and sometimes employee discounts on the company's products. Other benefits may include extra vacation days, pension contributions, and insurance, depending on the employer and collective agreement.
Competition and challenges
The competition for positions as a machine operator in a brewery is moderate, but requirements have increased as technology advances and production processes become more automated. Challenges in the role often involve quickly solving technical problems, maintaining high hygiene standards, and managing varying work pace. Shift work and physically demanding tasks can be strenuous, especially during longer production runs or peak seasons. Cooperation skills, stress resilience, and technical knowledge are therefore crucial qualities for success and job satisfaction.
Tips for those who want to become a machine operator in a brewery
To succeed as a machine operator in a brewery, it is important to be meticulous and have good problem-solving skills, as work often requires quickly fixing technical faults without stopping production. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to different tasks and shifts are essential, especially when the pace varies between periods. A genuine technical interest facilitates learning new machines and processes, while teamwork skills are vital in daily collaboration with colleagues. Initiative is appreciated by employers, particularly when suggestions for improvements or efficiency gains are requested. Staying updated on new technology and production methods can provide advantages for internal recruitment and advancement. Finally, a sense of responsibility and a focus on safety and quality are central to ensuring the final product maintains high standards.
Key facts about a machine operator in a brewery
- Education level: High school, industry/technology/food (2–3 years)
- Work environment: Shift work, production environment, high hygiene standards
- Typical employment: Full-time, sometimes seasonal or hourly employment
- Demand: 1,437 available jobs nationwide in the profession
- Special skills: Machinery operation, basic troubleshooting, food hygiene
Career paths and future prospects
After 3–5 years as a machine operator in a brewery, there are good opportunities to advance to roles such as supervisor, foreman, or process manager within production. Some choose to further their education in automation or quality assurance and move into technical specialist or production planner roles. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, future prospects are stable, with continued demand for qualified machine operators in the food industry. Increasing automation creates a need for personnel with technical understanding and initiative, strengthening long-term career possibilities in the profession.
Frequently asked questions about machine operators in breweries
- What does a machine operator in a brewery earn?
- The average salary is 32 000 SEK/month, with variation depending on gender, sector, and experience. - What are the gender differences in salary?
- Women earn 95% of what men do, corresponding to 31 100 SEK/month compared to 32 700 SEK/month for men. - What education is required?
- High school education in industry, technology, or food, along with practical experience and certifications in machine handling. - Are there good future prospects?
- Yes, there are over 1,400 available jobs in the profession, and demand is expected to remain stable. - What is the work environment like?
- Work is performed in a production environment with shifts, high hygiene standards, and sometimes physically demanding tasks. - What career paths are available?
- Opportunities for advancement include roles like supervisor, process manager, or technical specialist after a few years. - How high can the salary become?
- The highest reported salary is 34,700 SEK/month for men and 33,100 SEK/month for women in the profession.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 95% | 28100 kr | 31600 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 29800 kr | 33300 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 28900 kr | 31200 kr |
| 45-54 | 93% | 30700 kr | 33100 kr |
| 55-64 | 28500 kr | 30600 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 29300 kr | 32000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 95% | 28100 kr | 31600 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 29800 kr | 33300 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 28900 kr | 31200 kr |
| 45-54 | 93% | 30700 kr | 33100 kr |
| 55-64 | 28500 kr | 30600 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 29300 kr | 32000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 95% | 28100 kr | 31600 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 29800 kr | 33300 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 28900 kr | 31200 kr |
| 45-54 | 93% | 30700 kr | 33100 kr |
| 55-64 | 28500 kr | 30600 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 29300 kr | 32000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 95% | 28300 kr | 32100 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 30000 kr | 33800 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 30500 kr | 34000 kr |
| 45-54 | 93% | 31300 kr | 34100 kr |
| 55-64 | 27300 kr | 0 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 29600 kr | 32700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 95% | 28300 kr | 32100 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 30000 kr | 33800 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 30500 kr | 34000 kr |
| 45-54 | 93% | 31300 kr | 34100 kr |
| 55-64 | 27300 kr | 0 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 29600 kr | 32700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 95% | 28300 kr | 32100 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 30000 kr | 33800 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 30500 kr | 34000 kr |
| 45-54 | 93% | 31300 kr | 34100 kr |
| 55-64 | 27300 kr | 0 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 29600 kr | 32700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 95% | 27700 kr | 30500 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 29400 kr | 32300 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 27200 kr | 28500 kr |
| 45-54 | 93% | 29900 kr | 31600 kr |
| 55-64 | 30900 kr | 33600 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 28900 kr | 31100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 95% | 27700 kr | 30500 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 29400 kr | 32300 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 27200 kr | 28500 kr |
| 45-54 | 93% | 29900 kr | 31600 kr |
| 55-64 | 30900 kr | 33600 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 28900 kr | 31100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 95% | 27700 kr | 30500 kr |
| 25-34 | 96% | 29400 kr | 32300 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 27200 kr | 28500 kr |
| 45-54 | 93% | 29900 kr | 31600 kr |
| 55-64 | 30900 kr | 33600 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 28900 kr | 31100 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, brewery has the SSYK code 8169, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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