How much does a Machine operator, pellets make

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  2. Machine operator, pellets
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Machine operator, pellets

36 800 kr

Operators in sawmills, planing mills and plywood etc.

35 400 - 37 400 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Machine operator, pellets

Average salary 36 800 kr
Males 37 000 kr
Females 35 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 3 Vacant jobs ->

What does a pellet machine operator do? – Tasks and work environment

A pellet machine operator primarily monitors and manages machines that produce and refine pellet products, often within the wood and sawmill industry. Tasks include machine adjustments, quality control, troubleshooting, and basic maintenance. The operator ensures consistent product quality and adherence to safety regulations in the often noisy and dusty industrial environment. The work may involve day and shift work, requiring attention to detail, precision, and good teamwork skills since it is often performed in teams.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salaries for pellet machine operators have shown steady growth. In 2022, the average salary was 33,600 SEK per month, increasing to 35 000 SEK in 2023 and reaching 36 800 SEK in 2024. This development represents a total increase of about 9.5% over three years, with the largest increase between 2023 and 2024. The salary rise can be explained by increased demand for skills in the industry, inflation adjustments, and a greater focus on technical expertise in the role. The gender gap remains, but salary increases have been comparable for both men and women. The industry’s need for experienced operators and technical competence drives continued positive salary development, although regional variations may occur depending on the labor market.

Pellet Machine Operator Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 35,400 SEK/month (female, unspecified education)
  • Highest salary: 37,400 SEK/month (male, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
  • Hourly wage: 221 SEK/hour (based on 166 hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Men: 37 000 SEK, Women: 35,400 SEK (women earn 96% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Highest salaries are found within the regional sector

Education and qualifications

To work as a pellet machine operator, a high school education in industry, technology, or similar is usually required. Many employers also value practical experience from the industry, preferably within the wood or sawmill sector. Additional skills such as machine handling, technical interest, and knowledge of product safety are highly valued. Internships and onboarding programs are often offered at workplaces to ensure operators can handle specific machines and processes.

  • High school education: Technology, industry, or craft programs (3 years)
  • Certifications: Forklift license, safety training, and machine operation certifications
  • Internship: Usually internships or trainee positions within the industry
  • Prerequisites: Passing grades in mathematics and technical subjects
  • Occupational introduction: Often internal training at the workplace

Pellet machine operators often work in teams where collaboration and communication are crucial for efficient production. Experienced operators frequently introduce and mentor new colleagues, making the role both social and educational.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Pellet machine operators are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, shift allowances, wellness contributions, and work clothing. Many workplaces also provide protective gear and opportunities for skills development through internal training. Shift work may entail extra pay for unsocial hours, and bonuses related to production and safety are sometimes offered.

Challenges and competition

The profession of pellet machine operator involves some competition, but the demand for experienced and technically skilled operators remains stable. Challenges include rapid technological changes, automation, and high requirements for production safety. The physical work environment with noise, dust, and heavy lifting demands good health and awareness of occupational risks. The lack of formal training specific to pellet production can make it harder for newcomers to enter the profession quickly, increasing the value of practical experience. The availability of job openings varies regionally and is influenced by economic cycles and raw material availability.

Tips for aspiring pellet machine operators

To succeed as a pellet machine operator, being precise and technically interested is beneficial, as the work requires exact machine setup and quick detection of faults. Flexibility and resilience help during shift work and production peaks, while teamwork skills facilitate effective collaboration and knowledge sharing. Taking initiative and demonstrating responsibility in machine monitoring are appreciated by employers, as is a willingness to continuously learn new tasks and safety routines. Good communication and the ability to see the overall production flow are also important qualities for career development.

Key facts about Pellet Machine Operator

  • Education level: High school education in technology or industry
  • Work environment: Industrial setting with shift work and noise
  • Demand: 1,437 job openings within the profession
  • Gender distribution: Men: 37 000 SEK, Women: 35,400 SEK
  • Special skills: Machine handling, safety procedures, quality control

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a pellet machine operator, opportunities exist to advance to roles such as production supervisor, team leader, or technical specialist within the wood and sawmill industry. Further education in automation, maintenance, or production technology can open doors to more qualified positions and higher salaries. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, there is no precise forecast for the future of the profession, but over 1,400 job openings indicate continued demand. Digitalization and automation influence the role, and those who adapt to new technology have good prospects for long-term employment and career growth.

Frequently asked questions about Pellet Machine Operator

  • What does a Pellet Machine Operator earn?
    - The average salary is 36 800 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience, gender, and sector.
  • What education is required to become a pellet machine operator?
    - High school education in technology or industry is most common, sometimes supplemented with certifications and internal training.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 96% of what men do; men: 37 000 SEK, women: 35,400 SEK.
  • What is the job market like for pellet machine operators?
    - The profession currently has 1,437 job openings and demand is stable, although there is no exact future forecast.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Accuracy, technical interest, teamwork skills, and a sense of responsibility are central qualities in the profession.
  • What benefits are offered in this profession?
    - Common benefits include occupational pension, shift allowances, wellness contributions, and work clothing.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 21:31:47

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Machine operator, pellets is 37400 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 36700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Machine operator, pellets is 35400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 36600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 31000 kr 36300 kr
25-34 95% 32300 kr 36900 kr
35-44 96% 32400 kr 36400 kr
45-54 93% 32700 kr 37000 kr
55-64 97% 32900 kr 37200 kr
Snitt 96% 32400 kr 36800 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, pellets has the SSYK code 8173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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