Are there differences between male and female wages?

Yes, women earn an average of 29,700 SEK and men 31,200 SEK, which means women earn 95% of men's wages.

What education is required to become a machine operator in the textile industry?

A vocational upper secondary education in industry or technology is most common, often supplemented with internal training.

What is the job market like for machine operators in the textile industry?

There are 1,437 available jobs within the profession according to the latest available data.

How much does an hourly-paid machine operator earn?

The hourly wage for a machine operator in the textile industry is 183 SEK.

Is there room for advancement?

Yes, experienced operators can advance to team leader, production technician, or specialists in process and maintenance.

Machine operator, textile industry, other salary

Q: What does a machine operator in the textile industry earn?

The average salary is 30,400 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience and sector.

32 200 SEK

Other machine operators, textile, leather and leather industry

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

31 300 - 34 400 SEK / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

Average salary 32 200 SEK/month Monthly gross salary

Salary range 31 300 - 34 400 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does a machine operator in the textile industry do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Machine operator, textile industry, other salaries – complete overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Machine operator, textile industry, other

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What does a machine operator in the textile industry do? – Tasks and work environment

A machine operator in the textile industry monitors, controls, and maintains machines used for producing textile products. Tasks include starting and stopping machines, adjusting settings, refilling raw materials, and ensuring smooth production flow. It also involves quality checks and fixing minor faults or stops. The work environment often features noise, repetitive movements, and shift work, requiring good attention and the ability to work independently and in teams.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salaries for textile industry machine operators have steadily increased. In 2022, the average salary was 27,700 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 30 400 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 32 200 SEK, representing an approximate 9.7% increase over three years. This salary growth can be partly explained by increased demand for production staff, technological upgrades of machinery, and the need for specialized skills in automation. Although the profession remains relatively stable, there is upward pressure on wages due to competition for labor and general inflation adjustments.

Machine operator, textile industry, other salaries – complete overview

Average salary: 32 200 SEK/month
Lowest salary: 29,400 SEK/month (female, private sector employee, 3-year vocational education)
Highest salary: 32,200 SEK/month (male, regional sector, up to 2-year vocational education)
Hourly wage: 183 SEK/hour (based on 166 working hours/month)
Gender differences: Men earn an average of 33 200 SEK, women 31 300 SEK (women earn 94% of men's wages)
Regional differences: No specific data available

Education and qualifications

To work as a machine operator in the textile industry, a vocational education in industry, technology, or production is generally required. Some employers also seek experience from similar work, but new hires often receive internal training on site. Practical understanding of machines, precision, and ability to handle technical equipment are key qualities.

Vocational upper secondary education: Industrial technology program, 3 years
Internal training: Introduction and practical training on the job
Experience requirements: Preferable but not always necessary
Prerequisites: Good technical understanding and precision
Further education: Opportunities for specialization through courses or certificates

Machine operators in the textile industry can often influence the final product by early detection of quality issues and proposing process improvements. It is common for operators with strong technical interest to participate in development work on new materials or production methods.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Machine operators in the textile industry are often covered by collective agreements offering benefits such as occupational pension, insurance, shift allowances, wellness contributions, and opportunities for skill development through internal or external training.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a textile machine operator is characterized by steady demand, but developments in automation and global competition influence the job market. Many companies strive for increased efficiency, requiring operators to quickly adapt to new technical solutions. Tasks can be monotonous and physically demanding, demanding endurance and accuracy. The future of the industry is also affected by economic fluctuations and changes in domestic textile demand. Limited statistical data makes precise future predictions difficult, but there remains a continued need for skilled personnel.

Tips for those wishing to become a machine operator in the textile industry

To succeed as a machine operator in the textile industry, being precise and having good problem-solving skills is important, as the work often involves quickly identifying and fixing production issues. Technical interest helps when new machines or processes are introduced, and a willingness to learn new things is crucial to stay updated. Resilience to stress is helpful during busy periods or unexpected situations, and teamwork skills are essential since work is often performed in teams. Finally, initiative and responsibility are valued, especially during quality control and improvement work.

Key facts about machine operators in the textile industry

Education level: Vocational upper secondary education, often industrial technology program
Work environment: Shift work, noise, and repetitive movements
Available jobs: 1437 positions within the profession (May 2024)
Gender distribution: Women earn on average 94% of men's wages
Special skills: Technical handling and quality control

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a machine operator in the textile industry can advance to roles such as team leader, supervisor, or production technician. Specialization within maintenance, quality control, or process optimization is also possible. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, there is no exact assessment for this specific profession due to limited statistical data, but the number of available jobs indicates some demand. Technical competence and willingness to further educate oneself increase career development opportunities, especially in companies investing in automation and digitalization of production.

Frequently asked questions about machine operators in the textile industry

What does a machine operator in the textile industry earn?
- The average salary is 32 200 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience and sector.
Are there differences between male and female wages?
- Yes, women earn an average of 31 300 SEK and men 33 200 SEK, which means women earn 94% of men's wages.
What education is required to become a machine operator in the textile industry?
- Vocational upper secondary education in industry or technology is most common, often supplemented with internal training.
What is the job market like for machine operators in the textile industry?
- There are 1437 available jobs according to the latest data.
What benefits are common in this profession?
- Occupational pension, insurance, shift allowances, wellness contributions, and opportunities for further training are typical.
How much does an hourly-paid machine operator earn?
- The hourly wage is 183 SEK.
Is there room for advancement?
- Yes, experienced operators can advance to team leaders, production technicians, or specialists in process and maintenance.

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 21:49:49

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29100 kr	31500 kr
35-44	95%	29900 kr	31800 kr
45-54	92%	30900 kr	32600 kr
55-64	93%	31200 kr	33000 kr
Snitt	94%	30300 kr	32200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29100 kr	31500 kr
35-44	95%	29900 kr	31800 kr
45-54	92%	30900 kr	32600 kr
55-64	93%	31200 kr	33000 kr
Snitt	94%	30300 kr	32200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29100 kr	31500 kr
35-44	95%	29900 kr	31800 kr
45-54	92%	30900 kr	32600 kr
55-64	93%	31200 kr	33000 kr
Snitt	94%	30300 kr	32200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29600 kr	32500 kr
35-44	95%	29800 kr	32500 kr
45-54	92%	31800 kr	34000 kr
55-64	93%	31700 kr	34500 kr
Snitt	94%	30500 kr	33200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29600 kr	32500 kr
35-44	95%	29800 kr	32500 kr
45-54	92%	31800 kr	34000 kr
55-64	93%	31700 kr	34500 kr
Snitt	94%	30500 kr	33200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29600 kr	32500 kr
35-44	95%	29800 kr	32500 kr
45-54	92%	31800 kr	34000 kr
55-64	93%	31700 kr	34500 kr
Snitt	94%	30500 kr	33200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	95%	30000 kr	30900 kr
45-54	92%	30200 kr	31400 kr
55-64	93%	30900 kr	32000 kr
Snitt	94%	30000 kr	31300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	95%	30000 kr	30900 kr
45-54	92%	30200 kr	31400 kr
55-64	93%	30900 kr	32000 kr
Snitt	94%	30000 kr	31300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	95%	30000 kr	30900 kr
45-54	92%	30200 kr	31400 kr
55-64	93%	30900 kr	32000 kr
Snitt	94%	30000 kr	31300 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, textile industry, other has the SSYK code 8159, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.