How much does a NC operator, metal make

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  2. NC operator, metal
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NC operator, metal

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 NC operator, metal

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

What does an NC operator, metal do? – Tasks and work environment

An NC operator in metal primarily programs, sets up, and monitors numerically controlled machines such as lathes, milling machines, and drills. Their tasks include reading drawings, adjusting machine settings, and ensuring that production meets quality standards and schedules. The work environment is often industrial with noise and machine sounds, making protective equipment and precision important for safety.

NC operator, metal salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 35 200 kr/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,400 kr (female, private employee, pre-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 36,100 kr (male, post-secondary education less than 3 years)
  • Hourly wage: 212 kr (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn on average 34 100 kr, which is 96 % of men's 35 400 kr
  • Regional differences: Salary differences occur across different parts of the country but are marginal for this profession

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the average salary for NC operators in metal has increased from 33,000 kr in 2022 to 35 200 kr in 2024, which corresponds to a total increase of approximately 6.7 %. In 2023, the salary was 34 000 kr, indicating a stable and steady growth. This positive salary trend can be linked to increased demand for skilled machine operators and the need for technical competence as the industry modernizes. At the same time, automation influences part of the workforce, which may slow down wage increases in the future. Nevertheless, the salary development reflects ongoing appreciation of the profession’s specialized skills and practical experience.

NC operators in metal often need strong problem-solving skills, as machine settings must be adjusted quickly to avoid production stoppages.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

The educational path to becoming an NC operator in metal is often vocational with a focus on practical machine skills and technical understanding. The profession typically requires a technical high school education or equivalent, supplemented with relevant practical training.

  • Formal education: Vocational programs within the industrial program, often 3 years
  • Certifications/courses: Courses in CNC programming and machine safety
  • Practical training: Apprenticeships or internships in the industry are common
  • Prerequisites: Basic technical knowledge and understanding of reading drawings
  • Tips for choosing: Opt for education focusing on CNC machines and metal processing for the best preparation

Common benefits and compensations

NC operators in metal are often offered benefits such as collective agreement-based vacation, occupational pension, and various types of shift allowances. Employers may also provide wellness allowances and insurance linked to the work environment. Compensation can vary depending on employment type and industry sector.

Competition and challenges

The profession is characterized by a recruitment situation with a shortage of qualified workers, making competition for jobs relatively low. At the same time, NC operators face challenges from technological development and automation, which may reduce demand for certain manual tasks. Staying updated with new machine techniques and programming methods is crucial to maintaining competitiveness. The work environment can also be demanding with noise and physical strain, requiring good health and safety awareness.

Tips for those wanting to become an NC operator, metal

To succeed as an NC operator in metal, it helps to have an interest in technology and precision. Accuracy is an important trait that ensures machines are set correctly and production maintains high quality. Problem-solving skills are valuable when unexpected errors occur and quick adjustments are needed to avoid stoppages. Flexibility and good teamwork with colleagues are also advantageous for achieving common goals. Finally, a willingness to continuously learn new programming methods and machine techniques in a changing industry is beneficial.

Key facts about NC operator, metal

  • Education level: Technical high school education with practical training
  • Salary range: 31,400–36,100 kr/month
  • Work environment: Industrial setting with machine noise and protective equipment
  • Work form: Shift work is common
  • Demand: Large recruitment shortage but decreasing in the long term

Career paths and future outlook

After 3–5 years as an NC operator in metal, there are opportunities to advance to machine setter, production technician, or specialized CNC programmer. Some also choose to further their education to become technicians or engineers in the industry. Forecasts from the Employment Service show strong job prospects nationally in the short term, but demand may decline due to automation and technological development in the longer term. However, the recruitment situation remains characterized by shortages, providing good opportunities for recent graduates to establish themselves in the profession.

Frequently asked questions about NC operator, metal

  • What does an NC operator, metal earn?
    - The average salary is approximately 35 200 kr per month, ranging from 31,400 to 36,100 kr depending on experience and education.
  • What education is required to become an NC operator, metal?
    - A technical high school education with a focus on industrial programs and practical training is usually necessary.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 96 % of men's salaries within this profession.
  • What are the future prospects for NC operators in metal?
    - There is high demand today, but over the next five years, demand is expected to decrease slightly due to automation.
  • What benefits are common for NC operators?
    - Common benefits include occupational pension, vacation, and wellness allowances.
  • Is shift work common?
    - Yes, shift work is often prevalent in industries where NC operators work.
  • How can one develop their career as an NC operator?
    - Further education and specialization in CNC programming or technical production can improve career opportunities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-07 13:28:53

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a NC operator, metal 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 NC operator, metal 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 NC operator, metal has the SSYK code 7223, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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