How much does a Metal cutter make

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  2. Metal cutter
Image that illustrates Metal cutter

Metal cutter

35 200 kr

Machine setters and machine operators, metal work

31 400 - 36 100 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Metal cutter

Average salary 35 200 kr
Males 35 400 kr
Females 34 100 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 167 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Metal Machinist do? – Tasks and Work Environment

Metal machinists are responsible for processing and shaping metal components using milling and CNC machines. The work includes interpreting drawings, setting up machines, selecting tools, and monitoring and controlling the manufacturing process to ensure high precision and quality. The role also involves maintenance of machines and workstations, as well as documenting production data. The work environment is often industrial, with elements of noise and heavy lifting, requiring accuracy, safety awareness, and technical knowledge.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary of a metal machinist has shown a steady upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,000 SEK, which increased to 34 000 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has continued to rise to 35 200 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 6.7% over three years. This positive salary development can partly be explained by the current shortage of qualified metal machinists and a continued high demand for technically skilled personnel in Swedish industry. Market needs for specialized competence and technological development have led employers to offer higher wages to attract and retain workers. Regional differences exist, with wages often slightly higher in metropolitan areas and regions with a strong industrial presence.

Metal Machinist Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 35 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 36,100 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 212 SEK
  • Men: 35 400 SEK/month
  • Women: 34 100 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 96% of what men do
  • Regional differences: Higher wages in metropolitan and strong industrial regions

Education and Qualifications

The path to becoming a metal machinist typically goes through high school industrial technology programs, with specialization in production technology or CNC technology being most common. To work independently, additional courses or certifications in CNC control and machine technology are often required, along with practical experience through on-the-job training or trainee programs. Opportunities for further education and specialization exist, especially for those interested in advanced CNC programming or leadership roles within production.

  • High school education: Industrial technology program, 3 years
  • Certifications: CNC technology, machine safety
  • Internship: Workplace-based learning during high school
  • Further education: Vocational university (1–2 years) in advanced CNC or production technology
  • Prerequisites: Good knowledge of mathematics and technology

Experience in interpreting technical drawings and understanding the properties of different metal alloys is highly valued by employers. Those proficient in both modern CNC technology and traditional manual work often have broader opportunities within the industry.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Metal machinists are often offered benefits such as collective agreement-based occupational pensions, wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes bonus systems linked to production or quality. Other common compensations include shift bonuses and overtime pay. Some employers also provide training support for further development within the profession.

Competition and Challenges

Although there is currently a shortage of qualified metal machinists, signs indicate that demand may decrease over the next five years. Increased automation and technological development are changing tasks and streamlining certain processes. Competition may therefore intensify, especially for those lacking advanced technical skills in CNC and programming. At the same time, there remains a need for skilled practitioners with practical experience, as complex and specialized tasks cannot always be replaced by machines. For those who want to stay competitive, continuous further training and adaptation to new technology are crucial.

Tips for Aspiring Metal Machinists

To succeed as a metal machinist, it’s beneficial to combine technical interest and precision with a desire to constantly learn new skills. Building a solid foundation in mathematics and technology during high school is important, while practical problem-solving skills develop best through hands-on experience and work with machines. An analytical personality helps with interpreting drawings and setting up machines, while patience and perseverance are essential for handling long series and quality control. Being flexible and open to ongoing technological development improves opportunities for further education and career growth within the industry. Good communication skills are also an asset, especially in teamwork and reporting production data.

Key Facts about Metal Machinists

  • Educational level: High school diploma (industrial technology program)
  • Work environment: Industrial workshop, often shift work
  • Working hours: Full-time, often collective agreement-based
  • Demand: Shortage of skilled workers, but declining forecast
  • Special skills: CNC technology, reading drawings, machine setup

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years in the profession, opportunities open for metal machinists to advance to roles such as technician, supervisor, or production engineer. Specialization in advanced CNC programming or machine maintenance can lead to higher responsibility and salary. According to the Swedish Employment Service’s forecast, there is currently a significant shortage of machine setters and operators in metal work, providing good chances for employment. In the longer term, demand is expected to decrease mainly due to increased automation and technological progress. Those who continuously pursue further education and learn to handle new machine systems will be best positioned to meet industry changes. Currently, there are 1,437 job openings in this field, indicating a strong labor market in the near future.

Frequently Asked Questions about Metal Machinists

  • What is the average salary of a Metal Machinist?
    - A metal machinist has an average salary of 35 200 SEK per month.
  • What is the salary range for Metal Machinists?
    - The lowest salary is 31,400 SEK and the highest is 36,100 SEK per month.
  • Are there gender differences in Metal Machinist salaries?
    - Yes, women earn 34 100 SEK (96% of men's salary), while men earn 35 400 SEK.
  • What is required to become a Metal Machinist?
    - High school education in industrial technology and certification in CNC technology are recommended.
  • What are the future prospects for Metal Machinists?
    - Short-term shortages exist, but demand is expected to decrease due to automation.
  • What are common employee benefits?
    - Common benefits include occupational pension, wellness allowance, shift bonuses, and training support.
  • How large is the job market for Metal Machinists?
    - There are approximately 1,437 job openings in this profession in Sweden right now.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 14:20:02

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Metal cutter is 36100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 34500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Metal cutter is 31400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 31800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 100% 30700 kr 32600 kr
25-34 98% 33400 kr 35300 kr
35-44 95% 33500 kr 35200 kr
45-54 97% 34300 kr 35900 kr
55-64 94% 34300 kr 35800 kr
65-68 33300 kr 34400 kr
Snitt 96% 33500 kr 35200 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Metal cutter has the SSYK code 7223, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

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* Updated with 2025 taxes

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