Salary progression Material Handler

Average salary 31 000 kr
Males 31 100 kr
Females 30 500 kr

What does a Material Handler do? – tasks and work environment

A Material Handler is responsible for receiving, moving, and organizing materials and goods within warehouses, terminals, or production facilities. Common tasks include unloading and loading goods, sorting, inventorying, and ensuring that the right materials are in the right place at the right time. The work is often done in teams and requires good cooperation skills as well as the ability to work systematically under time pressure. The work environment can vary from large warehouse spaces to outdoor environments and can sometimes be physically demanding, especially when handling heavy lifts or working in shifts.

Salary development over time

The salary development for Material Handlers has been relatively stable over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 29800 SEK per month. The following year, 2023, it increased to 31 000 SEK, corresponding to a salary increase of about 7%. In 2024, the average salary has remained at 31 000 SEK, indicating a slowdown in salary growth. The significant increase between 2022 and 2023 can be explained by an increased need for logistics and warehouse staff driven by the growing e-commerce and changing consumption patterns. Since then, the market has stabilized, reflected in the unchanged salary level in 2024. The demand for Material Handlers is still high, but salary development is also influenced by competition and industry pay-setting models.

Material Handler salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 31 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 56,700 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 192 SEK/hour
  • Women: 31,200 SEK/month (98% of men's salary)
  • Men: 31 100 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on location and employer

Education and qualifications

To work as a Material Handler, usually no formal postgraduate education is required, but high school education in areas such as transportation, logistics, or industry is common. Many employers offer internal training or onboarding, and some tasks may require forklift licenses or other certifications. Practical experience in warehouse work, logistics, or similar is often considered an asset.

  • High school education: Focus on transportation, industry, or logistics
  • Forklift license: Often a requirement for certain tasks
  • Internal training: Common upon employment
  • Practical experience: Meritorious, especially from warehousing or logistics
  • Good physical condition: Necessary for heavy lifts and active work

Material Handlers often work with digital systems for warehouse management and logistics, making computer skills and the ability to quickly learn new technical solutions a big advantage in the profession. Automation and digitalization are rapidly transforming the work content.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Material Handlers are often offered benefits such as shift supplements for night work, wellness allowances, and work clothing. Other common compensations can include overtime pay, meal subsidies, and sometimes bonuses based on performance or efficiency. Some employers also offer training opportunities and employee discounts.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a Material Handler is generally low, as the demand for workforce in warehousing and logistics remains high. At the same time, challenges include high staff turnover and high demands for flexibility, especially during seasonal variations or changes in supply flows. The recruitment situation is characterized by difficulty in finding experienced candidates, even though unemployment within the profession is relatively high. The work environment can be physically demanding, and precision, responsibility, and the ability to handle stressful situations are required. Increased automation and digitalization also mean that adaptability and technical understanding are becoming increasingly important.

Tips for those who want to become a Material Handler

To succeed as a Material Handler, it is good to have a positive attitude towards practical work and be solution-oriented in everyday tasks. Being meticulous and organized helps manage many different tasks simultaneously, especially when the pace is high. Good physical condition is a major asset, as the work often involves heavy lifts and active workdays. The ability to collaborate and communicate with colleagues facilitates teamwork in the warehouse environment, where teamwork is an important part of the work culture. Flexibility and adaptability are also valuable qualities, as tasks and routines can vary between workplaces. Quickly learning new systems and having basic computer skills increase your chances of development in the profession. Finally, a responsible attitude is crucial, as safety and order in the warehouse must always be prioritized.

Key facts about Material Handlers

  • Education level: High school diploma, often with a focus on logistics or transportation
  • Work environment: Warehouses, terminals, and production facilities
  • Common employment: Full-time, often shifts or daytime
  • Job opportunities: Large, with 412 available jobs nationwide
  • Technical requirements: Forklift license and computer skills are often advantageous

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience as a Material Handler, there may be opportunities to advance to roles such as supervisor, warehouse manager, or logistics coordinator. Further education in logistics, transportation management, or IT systems for warehouse management can open doors to more qualified positions within the industry. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that job opportunities in this profession are plentiful and expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. At the same time, rapid development towards increased automation means that those with technical interests have good chances for continued career growth. There are also opportunities to switch to related professions such as transport planner, logistics specialist, or purchasing assistant.

Frequently asked questions about Material Handlers

  • What does a Material Handler earn?
    - A Material Handler has an average salary of 31 000 SEK per month.
  • How has the salary development been for Material Handlers?
    - Salaries have increased from 29800 SEK (2022) to 31 000 SEK (2023–2024).
  • Are there differences between men and women?
    - Men earn 31 100 SEK and women 31,200 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a Material Handler?
    - High school education, often with a focus on logistics or transportation, and forklift certification are common.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - The demand for Material Handlers is high and expected to stay the same over the next five years.
  • What work environments are typical?
    - Mainly warehouses, terminals, or production facilities, often in teams.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a Material Handler?
    - Highest salary is 56,700 SEK, lowest is 31,200 SEK.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Material Handler is 48600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 32900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Material Handler is 30100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 30400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 27700 kr 28700 kr
25-34 29300 kr 30700 kr
35-44 30100 kr 30900 kr
45-54 31900 kr 33000 kr
55-64 32000 kr 33000 kr
Snitt 98% 30000 kr 31000 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 Material Handler has the SSYK code 9332, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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