- Salary statistics
- Machine operator, painting salary
Machine operator, painting salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
33 300 - 37 200 SEK / month
Women earn 91% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
Related tools
Salary progression Machine operator, painting
What does a machine operator in painting do? – Tasks and work environment
A machine operator in painting is responsible for monitoring, controlling, and maintaining machines used in surface treatment processes, often within manufacturing industries. The work involves preparing surfaces, adjusting painting machines, checking paint mixes, and ensuring surface treatments meet quality standards. Daily tasks also include troubleshooting, cleaning equipment, and documenting production data. The work environment is often industrial, requiring precision, safety awareness, and sometimes shift work. Personal protective equipment is common to minimize exposure to chemicals and dust.
Salary development over time
The profession of machine operator in painting has experienced stable and positive salary growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,100 SEK per month, which increased to 35 200 in 2023. During 2024, the average salary further increased to 35,200 SEK per month, representing a total increase of approximately 13.2% over three years. This development can partly be explained by increased demand for skilled machine operators in industry, as well as general salary adjustments to meet inflation and technical skill requirements. Salary increases also reflect the growing need for specialized labor within surface treatment and manufacturing sectors.
Machine operator in painting salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 35,200 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 32,400 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 36,200 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 212 SEK
- Women earn: 32,400 SEK/month (91% of men's salary)
- Men earn: 36 600 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Highest salaries are found within the regional sector
Education and qualifications
To work as a machine operator in painting, a high school education with a focus on industry, technology, or process operation is usually required. Many employers also value relevant work experience or certifications in surface treatment. Practical experience, either through internships or trainee programs, is often advantageous and can be decisive for employment. Some companies also offer internal training to ensure new employees meet industry standards.
- High school education: Technology or industry programs, 3 years
- Certifications: Courses in painting or surface treatment
- Internships: Common via high school or work-based learning
- Prerequisites: Basic mathematics and technical interest
- Internal training: Often offered by the employer upon hiring
Many machine operators in painting get the opportunity to work with advanced automation equipment and robotics, making the profession both technically challenging and rewarding for those interested in modern manufacturing.
Common benefits and compensations
Machine operators in painting often have access to collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, insurance, wellness contributions, and shift allowances. Some employers also offer training opportunities, work clothing, and subsidized lunches. Overtime pay and additional leave during shift work are also common in the profession.
Competition and challenges
Competition for jobs as a machine operator in painting varies depending on region and economic conditions. Although there are a relatively large number of available positions, it often requires the applicant to have the right education and practical experience. Challenges in the profession include staying updated with new technology and working carefully under time pressure. The work can also be physically demanding and requires good ability to manage work environment risks, especially in chemical handling and machine safety. Those who want to advance typically need to demonstrate both technical skill and initiative.
Tips for those who want to become a machine operator in painting
To succeed as a machine operator in painting, it is good to combine technical interest with precision and responsibility. Paying attention to details helps you quickly identify and fix errors in the painting process, while a problem-solving attitude is important for handling technical challenges. Practical experience, such as through internships or summer jobs, provides valuable insight into the work environment and strengthens your chances on the job market. Showing engagement in safety issues and being flexible with working hours is also appreciated by employers. Good teamwork skills facilitate collaboration, and being willing to learn new techniques and machines keeps you attractive within the profession.
Key facts about Machine Operator, painting
- Education level: High school education, technology/industry
- Work form: Shift work common, often within industrial environments
- Demand: 1,437 available jobs within the profession (May 2024)
- Salary range: 32,400–36,200 SEK/month
- Gender differences: Women earn 91% of what men do in the profession
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a machine operator in painting, there are opportunities to advance to leadership roles, such as team leader, production planner, or technician in maintenance and automation. Some choose to broaden their skills within other areas of surface treatment or further educate themselves in process development and quality assurance. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, no specific assessment is made for this profession due to limited data, but there remains a continued demand for qualified personnel in industrial surface treatment. Technological development also creates new career paths within automation and robot-controlled production.
Frequently asked questions about Machine Operator, painting
- What does a machine operator in painting earn?
- A machine operator in painting has an average salary of 35,200 SEK per month. - What does the salary range look like in the profession?
- The lowest reported salary is 32,400 SEK and the highest is 36,200 SEK per month. - Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
- Yes, women earn an average of 32,400 SEK while men earn 36 600 SEK per month, which corresponds to 91% of men's salary. - What education is required to become a machine operator in painting?
- High school education in technology or industry is most common, often supplemented with practical training or company-internal training. - What is the job market like for machine operators in painting?
- There are many available positions; in May 2024, 1,437 jobs were reported. - What are the most common tasks?
- Monitoring painting machines, preparing surfaces, quality control, troubleshooting, and equipment maintenance. - Are there opportunities for further education and career development?
- Yes, opportunities include advancing to technicians, team leaders, or further education in automation and process development.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 29900 kr | 33900 kr | |
| 25-34 | 31700 kr | 35400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 32500 kr | 35900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34100 kr | 37000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 33800 kr | 36500 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 32700 kr | 36000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 29900 kr | 33900 kr | |
| 25-34 | 31700 kr | 35400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 32500 kr | 35900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34100 kr | 37000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 33800 kr | 36500 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 32700 kr | 36000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 29900 kr | 33900 kr | |
| 25-34 | 31700 kr | 35400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 32500 kr | 35900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34100 kr | 37000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 33800 kr | 36500 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 32700 kr | 36000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 31900 kr | 35700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 33000 kr | 36500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34700 kr | 37800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34500 kr | 37300 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 33200 kr | 36600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 31900 kr | 35700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 33000 kr | 36500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34700 kr | 37800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34500 kr | 37300 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 33200 kr | 36600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 31900 kr | 35700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 33000 kr | 36500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34700 kr | 37800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34500 kr | 37300 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 33200 kr | 36600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 91% | 30700 kr | 33300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 91% | 30700 kr | 33300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 91% | 30700 kr | 33300 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, painting has the SSYK code 8121, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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