Machine adjuster, textile

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

A machine setter in the textile industry is responsible for setting up, monitoring, and maintaining machines used in textile manufacturing. Tasks include adjusting machine settings to ensure production meets quality standards and quickly troubleshooting any operational issues. Often, basic repairs and preventive maintenance are also part of the job. The work environment is in production facilities where precision, technical knowledge, and the ability to work independently are important. The environment can be noisy and the pace sometimes high, especially during large orders or production peaks.

Salary development over time

The salary development for textile machine setters has been stable but shows a positive trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,700 SEK per month. In 2023, the average increased to 29 600 SEK, which is an increase of about 6.9%. In 2024, the average salary continued to rise to 30 400 SEK, an increase of an additional 2.7% compared to the previous year. This trend can be partly explained by increased demand for technically skilled personnel and gradual skill enhancement in the industry. At the same time, inflation and general wage increases in industry have influenced the levels. Despite the positive trend, wage growth is somewhat lower than the average for some other technical professions, reflecting the competitive situation and industry development.

Textile machine setter salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 30 400 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 29,400 SEK/month (female, private sector, high school education 3 years)
• Highest salary: 32,200 SEK/month (male, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
• Hourly wage: 183 SEK
• Gender differences: Men earn 31 200 SEK, women 29 700 SEK (women earn 95% of men's salary)
• Regional differences: Highest wages in regional sector, lower in private sector

Education and qualifications

To work as a textile machine setter, a high school education with a focus on industry, technology, or textile production is usually required. Practical experience from the industry is highly valued, and many employers offer internal training or trainee programs to ensure machine knowledge. Technical interest, problem-solving skills, and accuracy are important qualities for success in the role.

• High school: Technology or industrial programs with a focus on textiles, 3 years
• Internal training: Common at workplaces
• Internship: Practical experience through work-based learning is advantageous
• Prerequisites: Technical interest and basic mathematics
• Certifications: Specific certificates may be required for certain machines or tasks

Common benefits and compensations

Textile machine setters are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, insurance, and wellness contributions. Other common compensations include overtime pay for shift work, meal subsidies, and opportunities for skills development through courses or internal training.

Competitions and challenges

The profession of textile machine setters is characterized by a relatively small job market in Sweden, which means competition for jobs can vary depending on region and economic conditions. The industry is affected by globalization and technological development, where automation and digitalization require continuous skills updating. At the same time, generational change can create opportunities for new employees. Staying updated on new machine types and production methods is crucial to remain competitive. Limited data makes it difficult to precisely forecast long-term recruitment prospects.

Tips for aspiring textile machine setters

To succeed as a textile machine setter, it is beneficial to have a strong technical interest and a desire to understand how different machines operate. Precision is a key trait, especially when adjusting and monitoring machine settings to ensure high quality. Being solution-oriented offers advantages in troubleshooting and when unexpected problems arise in production. Initiative is appreciated by employers, especially in environments where independent work is common. Finally, demonstrating teamwork skills is valuable, as work often involves collaboration with various roles to ensure efficient and safe production.

Key facts about Textile Machine Setter

• Education level: High school diploma in technology, industry, or textiles (3 years)
• Work environment: Factory environment with shift work and noise
• Work form: Full-time, often collective agreement
• Demand: 1,437 job openings in 2024
• Special skills: Machine maintenance and troubleshooting

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, there are good opportunities to advance to specialist roles such as process manager, technician, or trainer for new employees. Many machine setters move on to become supervisors or training coordinators within production. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, there is limited data to provide an exact forecast of recruitment for textile, leather, and fur machine setters. The industry offers some mobility, especially for those furthering education in automation or quality assurance. With ongoing generational change and technological development, demand for the profession may change, and there were 1,437 job openings in 2024. Related professions include plastic and rubber machine operators and process technicians in manufacturing.

Common questions about Textile Machine Setters

• What does a textile machine setter earn?
  - The average salary is 30 400 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, gender, and sector.
• Are there gender differences in wages for textile machine setters?
  - Yes, men earn an average of 31 200 SEK while women earn 29 700 SEK, which means women earn 95% of men's salaries.
• What education is needed to become a textile machine setter?
  - A high school education in industry, technology, or textiles is most common, often supplemented with on-the-job training.
• What is the job market outlook for textile machine setters?
  - There are 1,437 job openings, but the Employment Service makes no precise forecast due to limited data.
• What career options are available for textile machine setters?
  - After a few years, one can become a specialist, technician, supervisor, or trainer within production.
• How does regional salary variation look for textile machine setters?
  - The highest salaries are in the regional sector, with lower wages in the private sector.
• What personal qualities are important for a textile machine setter?
  - Technical interest, accuracy, problem-solving skills, and teamwork ability are especially valuable.