Salary progression Pen factory worker

Average salary 31 900 kr
Males 32 300 kr
Females 31 200 kr

What does a pencil factory worker do? – Tasks and work environment

Pencil factory workers are responsible for the manufacturing and assembly of pencils in a factory or production environment. Tasks include machine monitoring, quality assurance, packing, and handling materials and components. The work environment is typically industrial with repetitive tasks and can be noisy, but safety procedures and ergonomics are important elements to reduce strain and injuries.

Pencil factory worker salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 31 900 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 30,100 SEK (female, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
  • Highest salary: 35,800 SEK (male, public sector, high school education 3 years)
  • Hourly wage: 189 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month for hourly employees)
  • Gender differences: Women earn on average 31 200 SEK, men 32 300 SEK, meaning women earn 97% of men's wages
  • Regional differences: Salary variation is influenced by sector and educational level, with the public sector offering the highest wages

The production environment for pencil factory workers often requires good teamwork skills as several tasks occur in a chain and precision is crucial for the quality of the final product.

– statsskuld.se

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the average salary for pencil factory workers has developed from 28,200 SEK in 2022 to 31 900 SEK in 2024, representing an increase of approximately 11 percent. In 2023, the average salary was 31 400 SEK, indicating a steady and relatively uniform salary increase per year. This development can be linked to increased demand for skilled labor in the manufacturing industry as well as inflation and general wage adjustments within the profession. Despite a stable salary development, salary levels remain average compared to other industrial jobs, reflecting the profession's requirements for education and experience.

Education and qualifications

The educational path for pencil factory workers is typically high school with a focus on industrial programs or similar technical training. Practical experience and shorter certification courses in machine handling can be advantageous.

  • High school education: Industrial program or equivalent (2–3 years)
  • Internship/trainee: Common for learning machine handling and production technology
  • Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of industrial production and safety
  • Certifications: Courses in work environment and machine safety can enhance competence
  • Tips for selection: Choose programs with internships and opportunities for vocational introduction

Common benefits and compensations

Pencil factory workers are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, vacation compensation, and insurance. Shift work may provide additional pay, and overtime compensation is available as needed. Some workplaces offer wellness grants and opportunities for skills development.

Competition and challenges

The profession is characterized by a nationally assessed surplus recruitment situation, meaning that competition for jobs can be fierce. Tasks are often monotonous and can involve physical strain. At the same time, there are demands for accuracy and the ability to work in teams. Automation and efficiency improvements in the industry may affect the demand for labor in the long term, making adaptability important.

Tips for those who want to become pencil factory workers

To succeed as a pencil factory worker, it is beneficial to be meticulous and have good concentration skills, as precision is crucial in the manufacturing process. It is also important to be cooperative, as production often occurs in teams where communication and coordination are central. A practical and technically interested person benefits from gaining experience in machine handling and following safety regulations closely. Flexibility is another trait that facilitates, especially in shift work or when production requires quick adjustments. Finally, initiative can help improve workflows and quality, which is appreciated by employers in the industry.

Key facts about pencil factory workers

  • Education level: High school education, often industrial program (2–3 years)
  • Salary range: 30,100–35,800 SEK/month
  • Work environment: Industrial environment with machine production and repetitive tasks
  • Hourly wage: Approximately 189 SEK for hourly employees
  • Demand: Nationally assessed as unchanged with few opportunities for new jobs

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience, a pencil factory worker can advance to roles such as machine operator, quality controller, or production supervisor. Some choose to specialize in maintenance or logistics related to factory operations. The employment agency's forecast for the profession of packers and factory workers assesses that job opportunities are limited and that demand will remain unchanged over the next five years. This means that competition may continue to be tough, but experience and specialized skills can provide advantages in the job market.

Frequently asked questions about pencil factory workers

  • What does a pencil factory worker earn?
    - The average salary is approximately 31 900 SEK per month, with men earning slightly more than women.
  • What education is required to become a pencil factory worker?
    - Typically, a high school education in an industrial program or equivalent is required.
  • Are there good future prospects in the profession?
    - Demand is expected to remain unchanged with limited opportunities for new jobs.
  • What work environments do pencil factory workers operate in?
    - Most often in industrial environments with machine production and repetitive tasks.
  • Are there salary differences between women and men?
    - Yes, women earn on average 97 percent of men's salaries.
  • What does the salary development look like for pencil factory workers?
    - Salaries have increased by approximately 11 percent over the past three years.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Pen factory worker is 36500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 34100 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Pen factory worker is 30800 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Regional sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 31900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 98% 28700 kr 30600 kr
25-34 97% 30100 kr 31800 kr
35-44 97% 31600 kr 32900 kr
45-54 98% 31100 kr 32100 kr
55-64 93% 31100 kr 32000 kr
Snitt 97% 30500 kr 31900 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.


Default Avatar

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 Pen factory worker has the SSYK code 9320, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Similar occupations

Compare salary, work tasks and job outlook in adjacent occupations to find roles with similar skills or pay levels.

  • Read more about working as Retoucher, photo

    Average salary: 42 600 SEK/month • Industriell tillverkning

    Compare with Pen factory worker

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:51
  • Read more about working as Wire sparks

    Average salary: 36 300 SEK/month • Industriell tillverkning

    Compare with Pen factory worker

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 07:10
  • Read more about working as Machine operator, textile industry, shoes, bags etc.

    Average salary: 32 200 SEK/month • Industriell tillverkning

    Compare with Pen factory worker

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:54
  • Read more about working as Helpers, paper industry

    Average salary: 42 500 SEK/month • Industriell tillverkning

    Compare with Pen factory worker

    Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 10:37
  • Read more about working as Nibsberedare

    Average salary: 35 200 SEK/month • Industriell tillverkning

    Compare with Pen factory worker

    Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 06:58
  • Read more about working as Pea sorter

    Average salary: 33 700 SEK/month • Industriell tillverkning

    Compare with Pen factory worker

    Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 02:24
Latest posts
  • Promocode - Discount code for Smartphoto
    Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 12:00
  • Public Opinion - Novus Opinion Poll 2026-06-17 – Social Democrats Lose
    Wed, 17 Jun 2026 - 09:35
  • National Debt - National Debt – Level, GDP Share, and Development to 2026
    Mon, 8 Jun 2026 - 09:59
  • Inflation - Inflation May 2026 – KPIF Rises to 1.5 Percent
    Thu, 4 Jun 2026 - 08:30
  • Tips - Create a Professional Website with AI - That's Why I Built Deffe.com
    Tue, 19 May 2026 - 22:28
  • Municipality -
    Tue, 19 May 2026 - 00:35
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 390
Net salary
31 390
Taxes
11 718
Fees
12 582

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2026 taxes