How much does a Machine operator, meat and fish preparation make

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Machine operator, meat and fish preparation

30 800 kr

Machine operators, meat and fish processing industry

28 500 - 33 300 kr / month

Women earn 106% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Machine operator, meat and fish preparation

Average salary 30 800 kr
Males 30 400 kr
Females 32 300 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 6 Vacant jobs ->

What does a machine operator in meat and fish processing do? – Tasks and work environment

A machine operator in meat and fish processing monitors and controls machines used for processing, packaging, and refining meat and fish products. Tasks include starting, setting, and overseeing machines, checking product quality, and performing basic maintenance and cleaning of equipment. The work is often carried out in production facilities where temperature and hygiene standards are strictly regulated, requiring precision and responsibility. Shift work is common in this industry, and the work environment can be physically demanding and repetitive.

Salary development over time

The salary for machine operators in meat and fish processing has steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 28,500 SEK per month, rising to 29 800 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has increased further to 30 800 SEK, representing a total increase of about 8% over three years. This development reflects a general wage increase in the industry, partly due to inflation adjustments and an increased focus on skill development. Despite automation and efficiency improvements, there remains a continued demand for qualified operators, contributing to stable wage growth in the profession.

Machine operator in meat and fish processing salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 30 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (men): 28,500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary (women): 31,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary (men): 33,300 SEK/month
  • Highest salary (women): 32,700 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 185 SEK
  • Women earn: 106% of what men do

Education and qualifications

To work as a machine operator in meat and fish processing, a high school education focusing on food production or industry is generally required. Many employers also offer internal training and internships to ensure operators have the right skills for machinery and hygiene standards. Experience in food production is advantageous, but entry is also possible through trainee positions or apprenticeship programs.

  • High school education: Food program or industrial technology (3 years)
  • Certifications: Hygiene training, HACCP or similar standards
  • Internship: Usually 2–6 months during education
  • Prerequisites: Basic Swedish and mathematics skills
  • Internal training: Often on-site with the employer

Many machine operators in meat and fish processing quickly take on broad responsibilities for quality control and machine maintenance, making everyday work varied and developmental. The ability to quickly solve technical problems and collaborate in teams is often crucial for smooth production.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

The profession often offers benefits such as overtime pay for evening and night shifts, wellness allowances, work clothing, and collective agreement insurances. Some employers also provide meal subsidies, pension schemes, and opportunities for further training.

Competitions and challenges

The job market for machine operators in meat and fish processing is characterized by balance, with supply and demand being relatively even. However, demand is expected to decrease over five years, mainly due to technological development and increased automation in the food industry. The profession requires continuous adaptation to new machinery and production methods, which can be challenging for those seeking long-term stability. Physical work environment, hygiene requirements, and shift work can also be strenuous factors. Nonetheless, the large number of available positions means that employment opportunities remain good in the short term.

Tips for those wishing to become a machine operator in meat and fish processing

To succeed as a machine operator in meat and fish processing, it is beneficial to develop a careful and quality-conscious approach, as the work often requires detecting small details early. Resilience to stress is important for handling pace changes and unexpected stoppages, while good teamwork skills facilitate communication with colleagues and management. Flexibility is a strength, as tasks can vary between machine monitoring, cleaning, and minor repairs. Practical skills and technical interest make it easier to quickly understand new machinery and processes, and to stay updated on industry developments. A proactive attitude towards work environment and safety is appreciated by employers and contributes to a safer workplace.

Key facts about machine operators in meat and fish processing

  • Education level: High school, often with focus on food or industry
  • Work environment: Production facilities with high hygiene standards and shift work
  • Demand: 1,437 job openings nationwide in the profession
  • Future prospects: Moderate opportunities, but decreasing demand over 5 years
  • Gender differences: Women generally have higher salaries than men in the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience as a machine operator in meat and fish processing, opportunities exist to advance to roles such as shift supervisor, production manager, or quality inspector. Some choose to further their education in food technology or production engineering to broaden their skills. According to the Employment Service's forecast, employment opportunities are moderate, but demand is expected to decline due to automation and technological advancements. Larger companies may offer internal career development, while smaller companies often provide broader responsibilities and quicker paths to more qualified roles. Skills in machine maintenance and quality assurance increase chances of employment and advancement.

Common questions about machine operators in meat and fish processing

  • What does a machine operator in meat and fish processing earn?
    - The average salary is 30 800 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience and gender.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 32 300 SEK while men earn 30 400 SEK, meaning women earn 106% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required?
    - High school education with a focus on food or industry is most common, often supplemented with internal training.
  • What is the state of the job market?
    - There are approximately 1437 job openings nationwide, but demand is expected to decrease over five years according to the Employment Service.
  • What are the working hours?
    - Shift work is common, including day, evening, and night shifts depending on the workplace.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries in the profession?
    - Highest salary is 33,300 SEK (men) and 32,700 SEK (women), lowest is 28,500 SEK (men) and 31,400 SEK (women).
  • What benefits are offered?
    - Common benefits include overtime pay, wellness allowances, work clothing, and collective agreement insurances.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 21:13:43

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Machine operator, meat and fish preparation is 33300 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 32700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Machine operator, meat and fish preparation is 28500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 31400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 28100 kr 31500 kr
25-34 117% 27200 kr 29400 kr
35-44 108% 28200 kr 30200 kr
45-54 103% 29400 kr 31100 kr
55-64 92% 32300 kr 34100 kr
Snitt 106% 28700 kr 30800 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Machine operator, meat and fish preparation has the SSYK code 8161, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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