How much does a Paper machine operator make

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  2. Paper machine operator
Image that illustrates Paper machine operator

Paper machine operator

41 000 kr

Process operators, paper

37 600 - 42 200 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Paper machine operator

Average salary 41 000 kr
Males 41 500 kr
Females 39 100 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 5 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Pulp Machine Operator do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A pulp machine operator works with monitoring, controlling, and maintaining machines used in the production of paper and paper products. The role involves ensuring efficient production and meeting quality standards. Tasks may include adjusting machine settings, handling raw materials, troubleshooting operational issues, and performing routine maintenance. The work environment is often industrial with shift work, where precision, technical interest, and teamwork skills are essential qualities.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for pulp machine operators has shown a clear upward trend. In 2022, the average salary was 38,400 SEK per month. In 2023, it increased to 40 200 SEK, corresponding to an increase of about 4.7%. In 2024, the average salary further rose to 41 000 SEK, an increase of an additional 2% from the previous year. This positive salary development can be linked to increased demand for skilled personnel in the process industry and overall wage increases in the industrial sector. Although the profession is specialized, salary development is also influenced by automation and technological advancements, which demand higher skills and flexibility from employees.

Pulp Machine Operator Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 41 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 37,600 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 42,200 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 246 SEK
  • Women: 39 100 SEK/month (94% of men's salary)
  • Men: 41 500 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Highest salaries are found in regional sectors

Education and Qualifications

To work as a pulp machine operator, a high school education with a focus on industry, technology, or process engineering is usually required. Many employers offer internal training and on-the-job learning, but prior experience in an industrial environment is advantageous. Some employers may also require specific certificates for operating machinery and process equipment.

  • High school education: Industrial technical program, 3 years
  • Internal training: Internships and trainee positions at the workplace
  • Certificates: Machine and safety training may be required
  • Prerequisites: Technical interest and basic mathematics
  • Tips: Experience from similar process industries is advantageous

Pulp machine operators often work in teams where collaboration and communication are crucial for smooth production. A strong ability to quickly solve problems and make decisions under pressure is highly valued in the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Common benefits for pulp machine operators include shift differentials, extra vacation days for long employment, wellness allowances, and sometimes bonuses linked to production performance. Many employers also offer pension contributions and opportunities for further training within the company.

Challenges and Competition

The job market for pulp machine operators is characterized by some competition, but the number of available positions is relatively large with 1,437 advertised jobs. One of the biggest challenges is keeping up with technological developments, as machinery is continually modernized and automated. Demands for technical skills and flexibility are increasing, while the work environment can be demanding with shift work and high-paced operations. Limited data makes it difficult to provide an exact forecast of future recruitment needs, but the long-term demand in the industry appears stable.

Tips for those aspiring to become a Pulp Machine Operator

To succeed as a pulp machine operator, it is beneficial to have strong problem-solving skills and be prepared to act quickly during operational disruptions. An interest in technology helps in understanding and managing complex machinery, while accuracy is crucial for maintaining product quality. Good teamwork skills are needed since the work is often performed in teams and requires clear communication with colleagues. Flexibility and adaptability are important, especially considering shift work and changes in production processes. Resilience under stress is a valuable asset, as the pace can be high and unexpected issues must be resolved swiftly. Finally, a willingness to continuously develop your professional skills is an advantage, as employers often invest in further training and technological development.

Key Facts about Pulp Machine Operators

  • Salary range: 37,600–42,200 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school, often industrial technical program
  • Work environment: Industrial environment with shift work
  • Available jobs: 1,437 advertised positions within the profession
  • Gender salary difference: Women earn 94% of what men do

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a pulp machine operator, opportunities may open for roles such as team leader, shift supervisor, or process manager within production. With further education, there is also potential to advance to technical specialist or supervisory positions. According to the Employment Service, no specific forecast exists for this profession due to limited data, but the overall demand in industrial manufacturing remains stable. However, automation and technological progress increase the requirements for flexibility and skills, which can influence future career paths.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pulp Machine Operators

  • What is the average salary of a Pulp Machine Operator?
    - The average salary is 41 000 SEK per month.
  • Are there significant salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 39 100 SEK while men earn 41 500 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a Pulp Machine Operator?
    - High school education with an industrial technical focus is most common, often supplemented with internal training.
  • What does the job market look like?
    - There are 1,437 available jobs in the profession, but no exact forecast of future demand.
  • How much does a Pulp Machine Operator earn per hour?
    - The average hourly wage is 246 SEK.
  • What are the working environment conditions?
    - Industrial environment with shift work is common, and the work environment can be physically demanding.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries in the profession?
    - The highest salary is 42,200 SEK and the lowest is 37,600 SEK per month.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 14:25:01

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Paper machine operator is 42200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 42000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Paper machine operator is 37600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 40700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 97% 29600 kr 37000 kr
25-34 98% 32100 kr 40300 kr
35-44 100% 33400 kr 41500 kr
45-54 92% 34000 kr 42100 kr
55-64 91% 33800 kr 41600 kr
Snitt 94% 33000 kr 41000 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 Paper machine operator has the SSYK code 8172, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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