Salary progression Machine setter

Average salary 40 500 kr
Males 40 600 kr
Females 38 700 kr

What does a Machine Setter do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Machine Setter is responsible for installing, adjusting, and setting up machines within manufacturing and process industries. The role involves preparing machines for production, performing test runs, and ensuring equipment operates according to technical specifications and quality requirements. It often includes troubleshooting, fixing minor operational issues, and collaborating with technicians or operators to optimize production flow. The work environment is characterized by industrial settings with noise, heavy lifting, and working near automated processes, demanding precision, safety awareness, and technical understanding.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary for a Machine Setter has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,500 SEK per month, increasing to 39 400 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary continued upward to 40 500 SEK per month, representing approximately an 8% increase over three years. This positive trend can be partly explained by increased demand for skilled technical competence in the industry and general wage growth within technical and maintenance roles. Technological innovations and higher demands for machine knowledge have also contributed to increasing the value of the role. Meanwhile, wage development has remained relatively consistent compared to other industry-related professions.

Machine Setter Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 40 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 25,600 SEK/month (female, municipal sector, high school education)
  • Highest salary: 41,000 SEK/month (male, private sector, postgraduate education)
  • Hourly wage: 237 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 95% of men's salaries (men 40 600 SEK, women 38 700 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salaries may vary depending on region and labor market needs

Education and Qualifications

To work as a Machine Setter, a technical high school education in industry, automation, or mechanics is usually required. Many employers also value additional courses in mechanical engineering or experience in industrial maintenance. Practical experience in production environments is highly valuable and often a requirement for employment. Certifications in safety, electrical, or mechanical engineering can be advantageous for those seeking to enhance their skills.

  • High school education: Industrial technology program (3 years)
  • Post-secondary courses: Mechanical engineering, automation, or maintenance
  • Certifications: e.g., crane, forklift, hot work
  • Internship/Trainee: Often a requirement for employment
  • Prerequisites: Good technical understanding and problem-solving skills

Machine Setters often have significant opportunities to influence production efficiency and quality through their work. Those with a curiosity for technology and a knack for solving practical problems can quickly become indispensable at the workplace, especially when new machines or production lines are commissioned.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

In addition to base salary, benefits such as overtime pay, wellness allowance, work clothing, and sometimes bonuses tied to production are often offered. Other common compensations include pension contributions and opportunities for further training and skills development. In some cases, bonuses linked to production targets or company results are also provided.

Competition and Challenges

The job market for Machine Setters is characterized by moderate competition and a balance between supply and demand for labor. According to the Employment Service's forecasts, demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, partly due to ongoing technological development and automation in industry. Challenges in the profession may include quickly adapting to new machine technology, working under pressure during production stops, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Those lacking practical experience may initially find it difficult to establish themselves, but the right skills and willingness to learn are strong competitive advantages.

Tips for Aspiring Machine Setters

To succeed as a Machine Setter, it’s beneficial to have a genuine interest in technology and be solution-oriented, as tasks often require quick decisions when machines need adjustments or troubleshooting. Precision is crucial, especially during installation and testing, where small errors can have significant consequences. Flexibility and the ability to work independently are essential, as tasks may vary depending on production needs and shift schedules. Collaborating with other technicians and operators facilitates complex setups and learning from colleagues. Staying updated on new technology and taking initiative for further training or certifications are also advantageous. Good communication skills ease handovers between shifts and reporting deviations. Lastly, always prioritize safety and follow workplace safety procedures.

Key Facts about Machine Setters

  • Education level: High school education in industry/mechanical engineering is most common
  • Work environment: Industrial environment, often shift work
  • Demand: 481 job openings within the profession (May 2024)
  • Gender distribution: Predominantly men, but the share of women is increasing
  • Future outlook: Moderate opportunities, balanced labor market

Career Paths and Future Prospects

After three to five years in the profession, there are good opportunities to advance to more qualified technician roles, such as maintenance technician or production technician. Some choose to specialize in automation, robotics, or quality assurance. Experienced Machine Setters often move into supervisory positions or become internal trainers for new employees. According to the Employment Service's forecast, the labor market is expected to remain stable with moderate employment opportunities and a balanced recruitment situation in the coming years. However, demand for Machine Setters will be influenced by technological development and the degree of automation in industry, which may change skill requirements over time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Machine Setters

  • What is the average salary for a Machine Setter?
    - The average salary is 40 500 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salaries?
    - Women earn 38 700 SEK and men 40 600 SEK, which means women earn 95% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a Machine Setter?
    - High school education in industry, technology, or automation is most common, often supplemented with practical experience and certifications.
  • What are the future prospects for Machine Setters?
    - The outlook is stable with moderate opportunities and a balanced labor market according to the Employment Service.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries?
    - Highest salary is 41,000 SEK (male, private sector) and lowest is 25,600 SEK (female, municipal sector).
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Yes, salaries can vary depending on region and labor market needs.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Common benefits include overtime pay, wellness allowance, work clothing, and sometimes bonuses linked to production.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Machine setter is 44400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Government sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 42200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Machine setter is 32600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Municipal sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 35200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 101% 33200 kr 35800 kr
25-34 95% 36600 kr 39200 kr
35-44 94% 38400 kr 41000 kr
45-54 98% 39500 kr 41800 kr
55-64 97% 39200 kr 41200 kr
65-68 38200 kr 39600 kr
Snitt 95% 38100 kr 40500 kr
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 setter has the SSYK code 7233, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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