- Salary statistics
- Soft solder
Soft solder
32 500 - 38 200 kr / month
Women earn 91% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Soft solder
What does a soft solderer do? – Tasks and work environment
Soft solderers work on joining metal components, typically within electronics and manufacturing industries, using soft solders. Their tasks involve precisely melting and applying solder to create secure and durable connections on circuit boards, wiring, or small mechanical parts. The work is often carried out in production environments or workshops with high standards for quality, cleanliness, and attention to detail. Soft solderers use specialized tools and follow detailed instructions and drawings, while maintaining a safe working environment and minimizing the risk of injury.
Salary development over time
The salary for soft solderers has shown steady and positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 32,600 SEK per month, increasing to 34 000 in 2023. During 2024, the average salary continued upward and is now 35 900 SEK, representing an approximate 10% increase over three years. This trend reflects ongoing demand for skilled workers in the industry, where increasing technical complexity and the need for high quality drive up salary levels. Additionally, the shortage of experienced soft solderers and competition for labor in manufacturing positively influence wage development. Salaries have thus grown in line with increasing skill requirements and industry needs for specialized labor.
Soft solderer salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 35 900 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 32,500 SEK/month (men, public sector), 32,800 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 38,200 SEK/month (men, private sector), 33,200 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 216 SEK (average, hourly employees)
- Gender differences: Men earn on average 36 100 SEK, women 32,800 SEK (women earn 91% of men's salary)
- Regional differences: Specific regional data is lacking, but some variation depending on local industry needs is common.
Education and qualifications
To work as a soft solderer, a high school education in industrial technology or electrical/electronics is typically required, supplemented by practical soldering experience. Many employers also value shorter post-secondary courses or certification programs in soldering techniques. Internships or apprenticeship periods are often part of the training pathway, providing essential skills in real work environments.
- High school education: Industrial technology program or Electrical and Energy program (3 years)
- Shorter post-secondary courses: Specialized soldering and welding courses (up to 1 year)
- Certifications: IPC soldering certificates or similar industry standards
- Internship/apprenticeship: Industry-based internships often provide crucial experience
- Prerequisites: Good fine motor skills and technical interest are advantageous
Soft solderers often have opportunities to work with both prototype manufacturing and series production, offering great variation and insight into the entire production chain. This provides a unique understanding of both technology and manufacturing processes and can open doors to specialist roles within the industry.
Common benefits and compensations
Soft solderers are often offered benefits such as collective agreement-based occupational pension, wellness contributions, work clothing, and compensation for unsociable hours. In some cases, bonus programs, further training, or extra vacation days are available, especially within larger industrial companies.
Competition and challenges
The profession of soft soldering is characterized by a paradoxical labor market with both high unemployment and recruitment difficulties. The Employment Service assesses employment opportunities as good, but emphasizes that employers struggle to find the right skills. Technological advancements and increased demands for precision mean that only those with proper education and experience are in demand. Competition can be fierce for the most attractive positions, especially for those without specialization or certification. The profession also requires high standards for work environment and ergonomics, which can be challenging during repetitive tasks and detailed work environments.
Tips for aspiring soft solderers
To succeed as a soft solderer, patience and a keen eye for detail are important, as the work often requires precision in every step. Developing fine motor skills through practical training and practice with various materials is recommended, along with following safety procedures. An interest in technology and willingness to learn new methods can open doors to specialization, while teamwork and clear communication facilitate work in groups. Flexibility is also key, as tasks may vary between projects and productions. Actively seeking internships and continuing education can provide valuable experience and enhance competitiveness in the job market.
Key facts about soft solderers
- Education level: High school education in industrial or electrical/electronics fields
- Work environment: Industrial workshops and electronics manufacturing
- Demand: Strong employment prospects according to the Employment Service
- Special skills: Soldering techniques, reading drawings, IPC certification
- Typical employment: Full-time, shift work may occur
Career paths and outlook
After three to five years in the profession, a soft solderer can advance to roles such as supervisor, production technician, or quality control specialist. There are also opportunities for further training as a welder with broader skills or to work in product development and testing. According to the Employment Service's forecast, employment prospects are expected to remain strong over the next five years, although demand is forecasted to stay steady. The number of available jobs is high, offering good chances of employment for those with the right skills. Continuing education and certification are emphasized to stay competitive in the labor market.
Frequently asked questions about soft solderers
- What does a soft solderer earn?
- The average salary is 35 900 SEK per month, depending on experience, gender, and sector. - What education is required to become a soft solderer?
- High school education in industrial or electrical/electronics fields and practical soldering experience are recommended. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 91% of what men do in the profession. - What is the job market like for soft solderers?
- The Employment Service assesses employment prospects as good, with many available positions and high demand for skills. - What career paths are available for a soft solderer?
- Progression to supervisor, production technician, or specialist roles is possible after some experience. - What are the common work environments for soft solderers?
- Most work in industrial workshops or electronics manufacturing with a focus on cleanliness and safety.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31200 kr | 32500 kr | |
| 25-34 | 33900 kr | 35600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35600 kr | 36700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 35400 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35300 kr | 36400 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 34600 kr | 35900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 32800 kr | 32800 kr | |
| Snitt | 32500 kr | 32500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 32800 kr | 32800 kr | |
| Snitt | 32500 kr | 32500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31200 kr | 32500 kr | |
| 25-34 | 33900 kr | 35600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35600 kr | 36700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 35400 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35300 kr | 36400 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 34600 kr | 35900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31200 kr | 32500 kr | |
| 25-34 | 33900 kr | 35600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35600 kr | 36700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 35400 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35300 kr | 36400 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 34600 kr | 35900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31100 kr | 32300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 34400 kr | 36300 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35700 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 35400 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35300 kr | 36500 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 34700 kr | 36100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 32800 kr | 32800 kr | |
| Snitt | 32500 kr | 32500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 32800 kr | 32800 kr | |
| Snitt | 32500 kr | 32500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31100 kr | 32300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 34400 kr | 36300 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35700 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 35400 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35300 kr | 36500 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 34700 kr | 36100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31100 kr | 32300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 34400 kr | 36300 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35700 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 35400 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35300 kr | 36500 kr | |
| Snitt | 91% | 34700 kr | 36100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 91% | 32000 kr | 32800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 91% | 32000 kr | 32800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 91% | 32000 kr | 32800 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 Soft solder has the SSYK code 7212, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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