Image that illustrates Planers

Planers

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 Planers

Average salary 35 200 kr
Males 35 400 kr
Females 34 100 kr

What does a planing mill operator do? – Tasks and work environment

A planing mill operator primarily works with processing metallic materials using advanced milling machines to create flat surfaces, grooves, and other details in components. Responsibilities include setting up and monitoring machines, reading technical drawings, and performing quality control on finished products. The work often takes place in industrial workshops or production facilities, utilizing both manual and computer-controlled machines. The work environment is characterized by noise, heavy lifting, and precision requirements, with safety being a central aspect of daily work.

Salary development over time

The salary for a planing mill operator has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,000 kronor per month, rising to 34 000 kronor in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has increased further to 35 200 kronor. This development corresponds to a total increase of approximately 6.7% over three years. The salary growth can largely be explained by a continued shortage of qualified machine operators and increased demand in the metal industry, although technological development and automation are expected to influence future salary levels. Rising wages also reflect the need for specialized skills and experience, as well as employers' desire to retain and attract skilled planing mill operators.

Planing mill operator salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 35 200 kr/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,400 kr/month
  • Highest salary: 36,100 kr/month
  • Hourly wage: 212 kr
  • Gender differences: Women earn 96% of what men do
  • Regional differences: Varies depending on local industry demand

Education and qualifications

To work as a planing mill operator, a high school education in industrial technology is usually required, preferably with specialization in CNC technology or metalworking. Many employers also view postgraduate courses or certifications positively, especially in CNC programming or machine control. Practical experience is often crucial, and many start their careers through internships or apprenticeship programs.

  • High school education: Industrial technology program, 3 years
  • Post-secondary courses: CNC technology, machine control
  • Certifications: SSG Entre, hot work, forklift license
  • Practical experience: Apprenticeship or industrial internship
  • Prerequisites: Good mathematical skills and technical interest

The profession of planing mill operator often requires manufacturing parts with extremely tight tolerances, sometimes down to thousandths of a millimeter. This precision makes planing mill operators key players in the quality chain for manufacturing, such as components for the automotive and engineering industries.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Planing mill operators are often covered by collective agreements that entitle them to overtime pay, shift and night shift allowances, as well as extra holiday pay. Health examinations, work clothing, wellness contributions, and pension schemes are also common. Some employers additionally offer bonus systems or further training as part of employment conditions.

Competition and challenges

The profession of planing mill operator today is characterized by high demand in the job market, but also faces challenges from increased automation and technological development. Despite a national shortage of qualified machine operators, demand is expected to decline over time due to more efficient production methods and digitalization. To meet competition, continuous skills development and adaptation to new technologies are necessary. Additional challenges include work environment factors such as noise and heavy lifting, which require ergonomic solutions and safety measures.

Tips for those who want to become a planing mill operator

To succeed as a planing mill operator, it is beneficial to have a strong technical interest and problem-solving skills, as the work often requires quickly identifying and fixing machine-related issues. Precision is crucial, especially when working with small tolerances and quality requirements, so detail-oriented individuals have an advantage. Flexibility and adaptability facilitate shift work or when new working methods are introduced. Teamwork and communication skills are also important, as planing mill operators often work in teams and need to coordinate efforts with other professionals. Proactive attitude towards further training and certifications increases career opportunities. Finally, initiative and responsibility are appreciated, especially in environments where safety and quality are prioritized.

Key facts about planing mill operators

  • Salary range: 31,400–36,100 kr/month
  • Education level: High school in industry, often supplemented with certifications
  • Work environment: Workshop environment, often shift work
  • Demand: High today, but expected to decline in 5 years
  • Number of job openings: 1437

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a planing mill operator can advance to roles such as senior machine operator, supervisor, or technical specialist in production. Some choose to further their education as production technicians or CNC programmers, which can lead to higher salaries and greater responsibilities. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, job opportunities within the profession remain good, but demand is expected to decrease over time due to increased automation and technological development. Nonetheless, there is still a national shortage of qualified planing mill operators, making the job market strong in the short term.

Frequently asked questions about planing mill operators

  • What does a planing mill operator earn?
    - A planing mill operator has an average salary of 35 200 kronor per month.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for a planing mill operator?
    - The highest salary is 36,100 kronor per month, and the lowest is 31,400 kronor per month.
  • What do gender differences look like for planing mill salaries?
    - Women earn 34 100 kr, which is 96% of men's salary of 35 400 kr.
  • Is education required to become a planing mill operator?
    - Yes, usually a high school education in industrial technology and relevant practical experience are required.
  • What are the future prospects for a planing mill operator?
    - The job market is strong today, but demand is expected to decrease within five years due to automation.
  • What benefits are common for planing mill operators?
    - Common benefits include overtime pay, shift and night shift allowances, wellness contributions, and occupational pension.
  • Are there many job openings for planing mill operators?
    - Yes, there are approximately 1437 job openings nationwide within the profession.

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

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Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

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* Updated with 2025 taxes