Image that illustrates Planers, wood

Planers, wood

33 000 kr

Machine carpenters and machine operators, wood industry

32 200 - 33 800 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Planers, wood

Average salary 33 000 kr
Males 33 100 kr
Females 32 200 kr

What does a planing machine operator in the wood industry do? – Tasks and work environment

A planing machine operator in the wood industry mainly works with processing wood details using planing machines. Tasks include setting up and monitoring machines, checking material quality, and performing basic maintenance and adjustments. The work often takes place in an industrial environment where safety regulations and precision are central. Handling larger wood pieces and working in noisy environments are common, requiring both physical endurance and good safety awareness.

Salary development over time

The salary for a planing machine operator in the wood industry has shown stable growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,100 SEK per month, increasing slightly to 32 900 SEK in 2023. The latest data for 2024 shows a further small increase to 33 000 SEK per month. The total increase amounts to about 6% over the three-year period, which aligns with the general trend for similar professions in the wood industry. The driving forces behind this development are mainly collective bargaining negotiations and a relatively stable demand for the profession, although the increase has been somewhat lower than in some other industrial sectors.

Planing machine operator, wood salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 33 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 32,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 33,800 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 198 SEK/hour (hourly paid, average 166 hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Men 33 100 SEK, women 32,200 SEK (women earn 97% of what men do)
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a planing machine operator in the wood industry, a high school education in wood technology or equivalent industrial training is usually required. Many employers view experience from similar machine operation roles positively, and internal training is often provided. Basic technical understanding and good familiarity with machines are important qualifications.

  • High school education: Industrial technology program, specialization in wood technology (3 years)
  • Certifications: Machine safety training and occupational health courses
  • Internship: Practical training (APL) during education
  • Prerequisites: Basic mathematics and technology skills
  • Tips: Experience from carpentry or the wood industry provides an advantage during employment

Many planing machine operators develop a particular sense for the properties of wood over time and can quickly assess material quality or suggest adjustments to minimize waste. This tactile skill is difficult to replace with automated systems and is highly valued by employers in the industry.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Planing machine operators in the wood industry are often covered by collective agreements that include occupational pension, overtime pay, wellness allowance, and insurance. Many employers also offer work clothing and subsidized lunches, as well as opportunities for further training and development within the company.

Competition and challenges

The labor market for planing machine operators in the wood industry is characterized by some stability, but competition can vary depending on region and economic conditions. Technological developments within the industry increase demands for machine skills and adaptability, while automation may reduce the need for manual work. Physically demanding tasks and noisy environments pose challenges, as does the need for constant safety awareness. The lack of formal training programs in certain areas can make recruiting the right skills difficult.

Tips for those wanting to become a planing machine operator in the wood industry

To succeed as a planing machine operator, it is good to combine precision with a willingness to learn new techniques. Being proactive and independent makes it easier when machines need adjustments or problems arise. An interest in wood and material knowledge provides an advantage during quality control and improvement work. Physical endurance and good teamwork skills are important since the work is often performed in teams and can be demanding. Gaining practical experience through internships during education is valuable. Staying updated on safety regulations and machine development is crucial for long-term growth. Finally, flexibility and a positive attitude are appreciated by employers in the wood industry.

Key facts about planing machine operators in the wood industry

  • Salary range: 32,200–33,800 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school, wood technology
  • Work environment: Industrial, noisy and physically demanding
  • Hourly wage: 198 SEK/hour (average)
  • Job vacancies: 1437 within the profession in Sweden

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a planing machine operator in the wood industry, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as supervisor, technician, or production planner. Further education in industrial production or automation can open doors to more qualified positions, such as machine technician or operations manager. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that it is currently difficult to make an exact assessment of future prospects due to limited data, but the high number of available jobs suggests some demand, especially for experienced and flexible professionals. Related occupations to consider include CNC operator, wood technician, or production worker in carpentry.

Common questions about planing machine operators in the wood industry

  • What does a planing machine operator, wood, earn?
    - The average salary is 33 000 SEK per month, with a range between 32,200 and 33,800 SEK.
  • Is there a difference in salary between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn approximately 97% of men's salaries within the profession.
  • What education is required to become a planing machine operator?
    - High school education in wood technology or equivalent industrial training is recommended.
  • What is the working environment like for planing machine operators?
    - The environment is often noisy and physically demanding, with a focus on safety and machine handling.
  • What are the future prospects for a planing machine operator?
    - There is no exact forecast, but 1437 available jobs indicate demand.
  • What development opportunities exist?
    - Advancement to technician, supervisor, or other specialized roles within the wood industry is possible.
  • What are the most common benefits?
    - Occupational pension, overtime pay, wellness allowance, and insurance are common benefits.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Planers, wood is 33800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors with a pre-secondary education, 9 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 33600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Planers, wood is 32200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 32700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 29500 kr 31400 kr
25-34 31300 kr 32600 kr
35-44 31700 kr 32600 kr
45-54 32300 kr 33300 kr
55-64 99% 32700 kr 33900 kr
Snitt 97% 31900 kr 33000 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, wood has the SSYK code 7523, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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