Image that illustrates Optician, instrument

Optician, instrument

34 800 kr

Precision mechanics

28 300 - 40 900 kr / month

Women earn 75% of what men do.

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Salary progression Optician, instrument

Average salary 34 800 kr
Males 37 900 kr
Females 28 300 kr

What does an instrument optician do – tasks and work environment

An instrument optician primarily works with adjusting, repairing, and maintaining optical instruments such as microscopes, binoculars, cameras, and other precision devices. Tasks also include troubleshooting, calibration, and quality control to ensure instruments meet high standards of accuracy and functionality. Work often takes place in specialized workshops or laboratory environments where precision and patience are essential. Collaboration with engineers, researchers, or medical personnel may occur, especially during the installation of advanced systems. The work environment is characterized by technical equipment, sedentary work, and high demands on concentration.

Salary development over time

The salary for instrument opticians has shown steady growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,900 SEK per month, increasing to 33 400 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 34 800 SEK, representing a total increase of about 9% over three years. This positive salary trend reflects a steady demand for specialized skills in fine mechanics and optics, while technological advances and increased precision requirements have contributed to raising the profession's value in the job market. Although the profession is relatively niche, technological development and the need for qualified labor have caused wages to rise in line with increased competence and responsibility.

Instrument optician salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 34 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 28,300 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 40,900 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 209 SEK
  • Women: 28,300 SEK/month
  • Men: 37 900 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 75% of what men do
  • Regional differences: No specific data available

Education and qualifications

To work as an instrument optician, a technical education focusing on fine mechanics, optics, or electronics is usually required. Many employers prefer post-secondary education, but in-house training and specialist courses also exist. Practical experience in fine mechanical work and an interest in optical systems are advantageous.

  • Post-secondary education: Technical education in fine mechanics or optics (2–3 years)
  • Certifications: Specialized courses in optical measurement technology or instrument technology
  • Internship: Internships or trainee periods are often included
  • Prerequisites: High school education with a technical or scientific focus
  • Tips for choosing: An interest in detailed and precise work facilitates studies and internships

Many instrument opticians have the opportunity to work with advanced technology and contribute to the development of new research tools. Collaborating with researchers or engineers on exciting projects is common, making the profession both varied and intellectually stimulating.

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Common benefits and compensations

The profession often offers benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and opportunities for skills development through courses and training. Some employers also provide compensation for work clothing, subsidized lunches, and extra vacation days depending on collective agreements and employment type.

Competition and challenges

Competition for positions as an instrument optician is relatively low, but challenges include high specialization and technical skill requirements. Since the profession is niche, candidates often need both theoretical and practical experience to be attractive in the job market. Technological innovations and rapid development in optics mean that skills must be kept up-to-date, and employers value problem-solving abilities and precision. There are also gender salary differences, reflecting traditional industry structures. For those wishing to advance, further education or specialization in related fields is often necessary.

Tips for aspiring instrument opticians

To succeed as an instrument optician, it’s good to combine technical interest with precision and analytical skills. Being solution-oriented helps with troubleshooting and repairing advanced instruments, while patience and perseverance facilitate work with small details and slow processes. It’s also important to be communicative, especially when collaborating with colleagues or external specialists. Practical experience in workshops or laboratories provides valuable insight into the profession’s daily life, and a willingness to continuously develop helps stay updated with technological advances. Flexibility and adaptability to new working methods are also strengths in this field.

Key facts about Instrument Opticians

  • Education level: Post-secondary technical education (2–3 years)
  • Work environment: Workshop or laboratory with advanced equipment
  • Typical employment: Full-time, but part-time work also occurs
  • Demand: 341 available jobs within the profession of fine mechanics
  • Gender differences: Women earn 75% of what men do

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years, there are opportunities to take on more advanced tasks, such as quality management, training new employees, or specializing in a particular instrument area. Some choose to deepen their knowledge in developing new optical systems or transition to technical sales and support. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast, no specific assessment is made for the profession due to limited data, but the overall demand for fine mechanics remains stable with 341 available jobs. Technological progress and digitalization may create new career opportunities, especially for those willing to further their education in related fields.

Common questions about Instrument Opticians

  • What does an instrument optician earn?
    - The average salary is 34 800 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, gender, and employment type.
  • What do gender salary differences look like?
    - Men earn an average of 37 900 SEK and women 28,300 SEK, meaning women earn 75% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become an instrument optician?
    - Post-secondary technical education in fine mechanics or optics is usually required.
  • What is the job market like?
    - There were 341 available jobs within the profession of fine mechanics according to the latest data.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - No specific data on regional differences is available for this profession.
  • What career paths are available?
    - After a few years, you can specialize, take responsibility for quality control, or move into technical sales and development.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Optician, instrument is 40900 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 35800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Optician, instrument is 28300 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 35200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 34700 kr 37600 kr
35-44 32500 kr 33800 kr
45-54 32000 kr 32400 kr
55-64 36600 kr 37500 kr
Snitt 75% 33500 kr 34800 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 Optician, instrument has the SSYK code 7311, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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