- Salary statistics
- Upper leather cutter salary
Upper leather cutter salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
31 300 - 34 400 SEK / month
Women earn 94% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
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Salary progression Upper leather cutter
What does an upper leather cutter do? – Tasks and work environment
An upper leather cutter primarily works with cutting out upper leather for shoes and other leather products, often in an industrial setting. Tasks include selecting the right materials, operating cutting machines, and manually adjusting patterns to meet product requirements. The role demands great precision and attention to detail, as the quality of the cut affects the appearance and durability of the final product. The work environment is often factory-like, with both machine-based and manual tasks, requiring ergonomic practices and safe handling of tools and machinery.
Salary development over time
The salary for an upper leather cutter has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,700 SEK per month, rising to 30 400 SEK in 2023. In 2024, it increased further to 32 200 SEK, reflecting a total salary increase of approximately 9.7% over the period. This positive trend is linked to increased demand for skilled machine operators in the textile and leather industries, as well as the need for specialized expertise in a sector where automation cannot fully replace craftsmanship. The salary increase also mirrors a general industry trend, where competition for labor drives up compensation levels.
Upper leather cutter salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 32 200 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 29,400 SEK/month (female, private sector employee, high school education 3 years)
- Highest salary: 32,200 SEK/month (male, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
- Hourly wage: 183 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: Women earn 31 300 SEK (94% of men's salary at 33 200 SEK)
- Regional differences: No specific data available
Education and qualifications
To work as an upper leather cutter, a high school education in industrial technology or textiles is typically required, preferably with a focus on leather and hide work. Practical experience and vocational training are often crucial, as the profession demands both technical understanding and craftsmanship skills. Some employers also offer internal training or internships to ensure the right competence.
- High school education: Industrial or textile/leather specialization, 3 years
- Internship or trainee: Common upon employment
- Prerequisites: Good skills in handling tools and machinery
- Vocational courses: Specialized courses in textile and leather processing can be advantageous
- Tips for choosing: Interest in craftsmanship and precision is important when selecting education
An upper leather cutter is a profession where traditional craftsmanship meets modern industry. The role’s precision and material sense make many employers value experience from other craft trades, opening doors for those with backgrounds in tailoring or furniture upholstery.
Common benefits and compensations
The most common benefits for upper leather cutters include occupational pension, wellness allowance, and sometimes subsidized lunch. Union members may also be covered by additional insurance and collective agreement supplements, such as overtime pay and shift premiums. Other common compensations include work clothing and opportunities for skills development provided by the employer.
Competition and challenges
Competition for positions as an upper leather cutter is relatively stable, but the number of available jobs can vary over time and region. A challenge in the profession is that it requires both technical skills and an artistic feel for materials, making full automation difficult. At the same time, the profession is affected by changes in the global leather and hide industry, where imports and cheaper production abroad can pressure demand in Sweden. Despite this, there remains a need for skilled professionals, especially in companies committed to quality and custom production.
Tips for those who want to become an upper leather cutter
To succeed as an upper leather cutter, it’s good to combine accuracy with a genuine interest in materials and details. Patience helps with repetitive tasks, while creativity facilitates problem-solving during production. Being technically inclined is an advantage when handling modern cutting machines, and good teamwork skills are needed since work often occurs in teams. Flexibility is important because tasks and materials can vary between workplaces. For those looking to develop in the profession, actively seeking internships and demonstrating engagement during training is beneficial. Finally, a positive attitude towards learning and further education makes it easier to adopt new techniques and methods.
Key facts about Upper Leather Cutters
- Salary range: 29,400–32,200 SEK/month
- Average salary: 32 200 SEK/month
- Education level: High school education in industry/textiles
- Work environment: Factory environment with manual and machine work
- Demand: 1,437 job openings in spring 2024
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as an upper leather cutter, opportunities exist to advance to leadership roles such as supervisor or production planner within the textile and leather industries. Some choose to specialize further in material selection or quality control, while others move into training roles to mentor new employees. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts, no specific assessment has been made for the profession due to limited data, but the number of job openings suggests steady demand. Experience and specialized knowledge are especially valued, increasing long-term career development opportunities despite a small labor market.
Frequently asked questions about Upper Leather Cutters
- What is the average salary of an upper leather cutter?
- An upper leather cutter has an average salary of 32 200 SEK per month. - What are the salary differences between men and women?
- Men earn an average of 33 200 SEK, while women earn an average of 31 300 SEK, meaning women earn 94% of men's salaries. - What education is required to become an upper leather cutter?
- High school education in industry or textiles, often supplemented with internships or vocational courses, is the most common requirement. - Are there regional salary differences?
- No clear regional salary differences have been reported for upper leather cutters. - What is the job market like for upper leather cutters?
- There are approximately 1,437 job openings within the profession, with no specific forecast available. - What are the highest and lowest salaries for an upper leather cutter?
- The highest salary is 32,200 SEK, and the lowest is 29,400 SEK per month. - What personal qualities are important for the profession?
- Accuracy, patience, technical interest, and teamwork skills are important for success as an upper leather cutter.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 29100 kr | 31500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 95% | 29900 kr | 31800 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 30900 kr | 32600 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 31200 kr | 33000 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 30300 kr | 32200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 29100 kr | 31500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 95% | 29900 kr | 31800 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 30900 kr | 32600 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 31200 kr | 33000 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 30300 kr | 32200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 29100 kr | 31500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 95% | 29900 kr | 31800 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 30900 kr | 32600 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 31200 kr | 33000 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 30300 kr | 32200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 29600 kr | 32500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 95% | 29800 kr | 32500 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 31800 kr | 34000 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 31700 kr | 34500 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 30500 kr | 33200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 29600 kr | 32500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 95% | 29800 kr | 32500 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 31800 kr | 34000 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 31700 kr | 34500 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 30500 kr | 33200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 29600 kr | 32500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 95% | 29800 kr | 32500 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 31800 kr | 34000 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 31700 kr | 34500 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 30500 kr | 33200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 95% | 30000 kr | 30900 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 30200 kr | 31400 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 30900 kr | 32000 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 30000 kr | 31300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 95% | 30000 kr | 30900 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 30200 kr | 31400 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 30900 kr | 32000 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 30000 kr | 31300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 95% | 30000 kr | 30900 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 30200 kr | 31400 kr |
| 55-64 | 93% | 30900 kr | 32000 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 30000 kr | 31300 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 Upper leather cutter has the SSYK code 8159, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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