- Salary statistics
- Machine rollers
Machine rollers
38 100 - 39 100 kr / month
Women earn 99% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Machine rollers
What does a machine operator do? – Tasks and work environment
A machine operator primarily works in the industry monitoring and controlling rolling machines that shape metal products into desired forms and dimensions. Tasks include setting up, starting, and monitoring machines, inspecting the quality of the produced material, and performing simple maintenance and adjustments. The job requires good technical understanding, precision, and the ability to quickly solve problems. The work environment is often noisy and physically demanding, as it takes place in production facilities where safety routines are central. Machine operators usually work in shifts, which means working hours can vary between day, evening, and night shifts.
Salary development over time
The salary for machine operators has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,200 SEK per month, rising the following year to 37 500 – an increase of approximately 3.6%. In 2024, the average salary has continued upward to 38 700, which is about 3.2% higher than the previous year. This positive salary trend reflects high demand for skilled workers in the industry and a general trend toward higher wages in technical professions. The sector’s need for specialized skills and technical understanding has helped keep salary levels stable and competitive.
Machine operator salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 38 700 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 38,100 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 39,100 SEK/month
- Hourly wage: 233 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 99% of men's salary (women: 38,500 SEK, men: 38 800 SEK)
- Regional differences: Data varies depending on region and employer, but larger industrial regions tend to have slightly higher salaries.
Education and qualifications
To work as a machine operator, a high school education in industrial technology or equivalent technical specialization is usually required. Many employers also seek experience from similar machine operation roles and the ability to handle advanced equipment. Practical training and on-the-job learning are common to ensure employees can operate machines safely and efficiently.
- High school education: Industrial technology programs (3 years)
- Post-secondary courses: Shorter technical courses can be advantageous
- Internships: Practical experience in the industry is highly meritorious
- Certifications: Occupational safety and security training may be required
- Prerequisites: Good knowledge of technology and mathematics is recommended
Machine operators often have the opportunity to work with the very latest technology in metalworking. Many workplaces offer further training on-site, allowing rapid specialization in new processes and machine types.
Common benefits and compensation
Machine operators are often offered benefits such as shift allowances, extra vacation days, wellness contributions, and occupational pension. Other common compensations include overtime pay, work clothing, and sometimes performance bonuses depending on production goals. Benefits vary between employers and regions but are generally well adapted to the job’s demands and working hours.
Competition and challenges
The profession as a machine operator is characterized by competition for the most attractive positions, especially in regions with few industrial companies. At the same time, the industry is continuously evolving with technological advancements, which requires ongoing skills development. Challenges include quickly handling technical faults, working efficiently under time pressure, and maintaining high safety standards in often demanding environments. Increased automation may reduce the need for traditional operators over time, while the demand for technically skilled specialists increases. The physical work environment and shift work can also be strenuous, making endurance and adaptability important qualities.
Tips for those wishing to become a machine operator
To succeed as a machine operator, it’s good to be technically curious and precise, as the work requires accuracy in both setting and monitoring machines. A strong safety mindset is crucial, given the handling of heavy machines and materials. Being flexible and adaptable to shift work makes everyday life easier, and good teamwork skills facilitate collaboration. Practical problem-solving skills are valuable when unexpected situations arise, and a willingness to constantly learn new techniques and processes offers good development opportunities. Showing engagement and responsibility is appreciated by employers and can lead to greater responsibility or specialization over time.
Key facts about machine operators
- Education level: High school diploma in industrial technology recommended
- Work environment: Industrial setting with shift work
- Typical employment: Full-time, shift work
- Demand: 1,437 job openings in spring 2024
- Special skills: Technical understanding and machine knowledge
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a machine operator, there are opportunities to advance to more specialized roles, such as senior operator, production supervisor, or technical instructor. Further training in automation, maintenance, or production technology often opens new career paths within the industry. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, no specific forecast exists for machine operators, but the large number of job openings indicates good employment prospects. The industry’s technological development and investments in automation mean that demand for skills may change, but individuals with technical education and experience generally have strong career prospects.
Frequently asked questions about machine operators
- What does a machine operator earn?
- The average salary for a machine operator is 38 700 SEK per month. - What education is required to become a machine operator?
- High school education in industrial technology or equivalent technical specialization is recommended. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn approximately 99% of what men do within the profession. - What is the job market like for machine operators?
- There are 1,437 job openings in spring 2024. - What personal qualities are important for a machine operator?
- Technical understanding, precision, and problem-solving skills are especially important. - What are the working hours like?
- Work often occurs in shifts, which can include day, evening, and night shifts. - Can I further my education within the profession?
- Yes, there are good opportunities for further training and specialization within the industry.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 30200 kr | 36200 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 32600 kr | 38900 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 33600 kr | 39200 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 34100 kr | 39300 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 34200 kr | 39000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 33300 kr | 38700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 30200 kr | 36200 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 32600 kr | 38900 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 33600 kr | 39200 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 34100 kr | 39300 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 34200 kr | 39000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 33300 kr | 38700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 30200 kr | 36200 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 32600 kr | 38900 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 33600 kr | 39200 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 34100 kr | 39300 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 34200 kr | 39000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 33300 kr | 38700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 30300 kr | 36100 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 32700 kr | 38900 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 33700 kr | 39300 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 34200 kr | 39300 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 34300 kr | 39100 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 33400 kr | 38800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 30300 kr | 36100 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 32700 kr | 38900 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 33700 kr | 39300 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 34200 kr | 39300 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 34300 kr | 39100 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 33400 kr | 38800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 30300 kr | 36100 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 32700 kr | 38900 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 33700 kr | 39300 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 34200 kr | 39300 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 34300 kr | 39100 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 33400 kr | 38800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 29700 kr | 36300 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 32300 kr | 39200 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 33300 kr | 38700 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 33500 kr | 39400 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 33500 kr | 38300 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 32500 kr | 38500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 29700 kr | 36300 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 32300 kr | 39200 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 33300 kr | 38700 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 33500 kr | 39400 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 33500 kr | 38300 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 32500 kr | 38500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 101% | 29700 kr | 36300 kr |
| 25-34 | 101% | 32300 kr | 39200 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 33300 kr | 38700 kr |
| 45-54 | 100% | 33500 kr | 39400 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 33500 kr | 38300 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 32500 kr | 38500 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 rollers has the SSYK code 8122, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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