How much does a Carpenter make

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  2. Carpenter
Image that illustrates Carpenter

Carpenter

33 000 kr

Machine carpenters and machine operators, wood industry

32 200 - 33 800 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Carpenter

Average salary 33 000 kr
Males 33 100 kr
Females 32 200 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 11 Vacant jobs ->

What does a machine carpenter do? – Tasks and work environment

A machine carpenter works with manufacturing products from wood and wood-based materials using various types of machinery. Common tasks include sawing, milling, sanding, and assembling wood parts for furniture, interiors, and construction components. The work is usually carried out in production environments such as factories or workshops where the focus is on both quality and efficiency. The work environment can be noisy and requires precision as well as the ability to follow safety routines, since the machines used are often powerful and require familiarity with technical equipment.

Salary development over time

The salary development for machine carpenters has shown a relatively stable but positive trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,100 SEK per month, increasing to 32 900 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has risen slightly to 33 000 SEK per month. This represents a total increase of approximately 6.1% over the period. The salary increase can largely be explained by continued demand for skilled machine carpenters in the wood industry, as well as general wage adjustments in the industrial sector. Despite technological advancements and some automation, the need for competent machine carpenters remains, which has helped maintain and strengthen wages.

Machine carpenter salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 33 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 32,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 33,800 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 198 SEK
  • Men (average): 33 100 SEK/month
  • Women (average): 32,200 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 97% of men's salary

Education and qualifications

To work as a machine carpenter, a high school education in wood technology or equivalent is usually required, often supplemented with practical training at a workplace. Some employers may require further education or specific certifications depending on the complexity of the machines and the production focus. It is also common for professional skills to be built on through experience and introductions at the workplace.

  • High school education: Wood technology program, 3 years
  • Practical training: At least 15 weeks during education
  • Professional certificate/certification: May be required depending on employer
  • Further education: Courses in machine safety or CNC technology
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for high school

Machine carpenters often work closely with product development teams and have the opportunity to influence both design and function of the final product. This makes the profession particularly interesting for those who want to combine practical craftsmanship with technological innovation.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Machine carpenters are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, insurance, wellness allowances, and work clothing. Many employers also provide work clothes and protective equipment, and sometimes bonuses tied to production goals. Some companies also offer training and skill development as part of employment.

Competition and challenges

The competition for jobs as a machine carpenter varies depending on region and economic situation. In some areas, demand is high, especially where the wood industry is well established, while in smaller towns it may be more difficult to find work. Challenges in the profession include staying updated on new technology and machinery, working efficiently under time pressure, and the physical demands of the job. The work environment can be strenuous for those sensitive to noise or dust. Digitalization and automation also mean that machine carpenters need to be flexible and willing to further their education to meet future demands.

Tips for those wanting to become a machine carpenter

To succeed as a machine carpenter, it’s good to have an interest in both technology and craftsmanship. Precision is crucial as the work requires accuracy at every stage to ensure high quality results. Being solution-oriented helps when unexpected problems arise in production, and teamwork skills are important since the work is often done in teams. A genuine interest in materials and machinery facilitates learning new techniques and tasks. It’s also valuable to be persistent and resilient, as the pace can sometimes be high. Lastly, curiosity and taking the initiative to learn more about different machines and processes can open up more responsibilities and development opportunities.

Key facts about machine carpenters

  • Education level: High school education, wood technology
  • Typical work environment: Factory or workshop
  • Work form: Full-time, often shift work
  • Demand: 1,437 job openings within the profession
  • Special skills: Machine handling and wood processing

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience, machine carpenters can advance to roles such as supervisor, production planner, or specialist in CNC machines and automated wood processing. With additional education, there are also opportunities to work in product development or as technicians for machine maintenance. The employment agency’s forecasts for machine carpenters and woodworking machine operators are uncertain due to limited data, but the number of job openings indicates ongoing demand for the profession. Those open to further education and technological development have good chances of finding new pathways within the industry, although regional competition can vary.

Common questions about machine carpenters

  • What does a machine carpenter earn?
    - A machine carpenter has an average salary of 33 000 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 32,200 SEK while men earn 33 100 SEK per month.
  • How has the salary development been for machine carpenters?
    - The salary development has been stable with an increase from 31,100 SEK (2022) to 33 000 SEK (2024).
  • What education is required to become a machine carpenter?
    - Usually, high school education in wood technology and practical training at the workplace are required.
  • What does the job market look like?
    - Currently, there are 1,437 job openings within the profession of machine carpenters and woodworking machine operators.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for machine carpenters?
    - The highest salary is 33,800 SEK and the lowest is 32,200 SEK per month.
  • What benefits do machine carpenters often receive?
    - Common benefits include occupational pension, insurance, wellness allowances, and work clothing.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 22:20:46

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Carpenter is 33800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors with a pre-secondary education, 9 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 33600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Carpenter is 32200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 32700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 29500 kr 31400 kr
25-34 31300 kr 32600 kr
35-44 31700 kr 32600 kr
45-54 32300 kr 33300 kr
55-64 99% 32700 kr 33900 kr
Snitt 97% 31900 kr 33000 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 Carpenter has the SSYK code 7523, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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