Image that illustrates Dairyman

Dairyman

43 600 kr

Engineers and technicians in chemistry and chemical engineering

31 900 - 45 100 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Dairyman

Average salary 43 600 kr
Males 44 000 kr
Females 43 300 kr

What does a Mejerist do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Mejerist works with the manufacturing and processing of dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt. Tasks include monitoring production processes, quality control, handling machinery and equipment, and ensuring hygiene and food safety. Mejerists are often employed in both large food industries and smaller dairies, where the work environment is characterized by physical labor, shift work, and strict routines for safety and cleanliness. The job requires both practical skills and technical understanding of chemical and food technology processes.

Salary development over time

The salary for a Mejerist has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 40,200 SEK per month, increasing to 42 500 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has reached 43 600 SEK per month, representing a total increase of approximately 8.5% over the three-year period. This increase can mainly be linked to rising demand for food technology expertise, general industry wage adjustments, and increased focus on food safety and technological development. The salary growth for a Mejerist has been somewhat stronger than the average for similar technical professions, reflecting the industry’s need for qualified workers.

Mejerist salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 43 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,900 SEK/month (female, public sector, post-secondary education 3 years or more)
  • Highest salary: 45,100 SEK/month (male, private sector, post-secondary education shorter than 3 years)
  • Hourly wage: 262 SEK/hour (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn 98% of what men do (men: 44 000 SEK, women: 43,300 SEK)
  • Regional differences: No detailed regional salary statistics available

Education and qualifications

To work as a Mejerist, a vocational education in food technology or equivalent post-secondary training is usually required. Practical experience from the food industry and knowledge of chemical processes are often advantageous. Many employers also offer internal training and onboarding programs, especially in larger dairies.

  • Formal education: Vocational training in food or dairy technology (1–3 years)
  • Certifications: Courses in food hygiene and quality assurance
  • Internship: Apprenticeship or practical training in the dairy industry is common
  • Prerequisites: Basic chemistry and technology knowledge are advantageous
  • Tips: Choose education with a focus on process industry for broader opportunities

Many Mejerists specialize early in a specific product, such as cheese or yogurt, which opens opportunities for in-depth expertise and responsibility in product development and quality assurance.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Mejerists often have access to collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, insurance, and wellness allowances. Many employers also provide work clothing, subsidized meals, staff discounts, and opportunities for skill development through training and internal courses.

Competition and challenges

The competition for Mejerist positions varies depending on the region and employer size. Larger cities and major dairies may have more applicants per position, while smaller towns and niche dairies often seek qualified personnel. Challenges in the profession include shift work, high workload during seasonal peaks, and the need for continuous updates on food safety and technology. Additionally, the profession demands precision and responsibility to ensure product quality.

Tips for aspiring Mejerist

To succeed as a Mejerist, a combination of practical skills and technical interest is beneficial. Precision is crucial since the work involves responsibility for food safety and quality control. Flexibility and the ability to work shifts are helpful, as production often runs around the clock. Good teamwork skills are important because the work is team-based and requires coordination with colleagues. Showing initiative and willingness to learn new machinery and processes also provides advantages, especially as technology advances rapidly. Finally, problem-solving skills are highly valued, as unexpected situations can arise in production.

Key facts about the Mejerist profession

  • Education level: Vocational or post-secondary education in food technology
  • Work environment: Industrial environment with shift work and high hygiene standards
  • Work form: Usually full-time, often in shifts
  • Demand: 564 job openings within the profession in Sweden
  • Special skills: Process monitoring and food safety

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as a Mejerist, good opportunities exist to advance to supervisory roles, such as process manager or production supervisor. Some choose to further their education and work in quality control, product development, or specialization in areas like cheese production. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that there are 564 job openings within the profession, but due to limited statistical data, no precise future outlook for Mejerist is provided. Overall, demand for technical food industry skills remains stable, with particularly good prospects for those with experience and further education.

Frequently asked questions about the Mejerist profession

  • What is the average salary of a Mejerist?
    - A Mejerist has an average salary of 43 600 SEK per month.
  • How do the differences between men and women look?
    - Men earn 44 000 SEK while women have an average salary of 43,300 SEK, which means women earn 98% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a Mejerist?
    - Typically, vocational training or post-secondary education in food technology is required.
  • What is the work environment like for a Mejerist?
    - The work environment is industrial, often involving shift work and high demands for hygiene and safety.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - There are 564 job openings in the profession, but no exact forecast due to limited data.
  • What common benefits are included?
    - Occupational pension, wellness allowance, work clothing, and often opportunities for further training.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a Mejerist?
    - The highest salary is 45,100 SEK/month (male, private sector), the lowest is 31,900 SEK/month (female, public sector).

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Dairyman is 45100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 43300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Dairyman is 31900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 42600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 100% 38800 kr 39500 kr
35-44 107% 43500 kr 44300 kr
45-54 104% 48700 kr 49600 kr
55-64 91% 46000 kr 47200 kr
Snitt 98% 42800 kr 43600 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 Dairyman has the SSYK code 3115, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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