How much does a Plastic machine operator make

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  2. Plastic machine operator
Image that illustrates Plastic machine operator

Plastic machine operator

33 200 kr

Machine operators, plastics industry

31 500 - 35 700 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Plastic machine operator

Average salary 33 200 kr
Males 33 900 kr
Females 31 800 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 25 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Plastmaskinoperatör do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Plastmaskinoperatör works with monitoring, controlling, and adjusting machines within the plastics industry. Tasks include starting and stopping machines, checking material flows, performing quality checks, and fixing simple machine faults. The operator is also responsible for ensuring machines are correctly set up and that production follows specified standards and safety requirements. The work environment is often industrial with a high pace, involving both manual tasks and automated processes. Shift work is common, and the ability to work independently and in teams is essential.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary development for Plastmaskinoperatörer has shown a steady but moderate increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,900 SEK per month, which increased to 32 000 in 2023 and further to 33 200 in 2024. The total increase amounts to approximately 7.5% over the three-year period. The salary rise can mainly be explained by continued demand for skilled operators in the industry, but also by inflation and collective agreement adjustments. Despite technological advances and some automation, competence remains valued, helping to maintain salary levels. However, the trend indicates that wage growth may slow down as automation and efficiency improvements increase in the industry.

Plastmaskinoperatör Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 33 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,500 SEK/month (female, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
  • Highest salary: 35,700 SEK/month (male, private sector employee, post-secondary education at least 3 years)
  • Hourly wage: 200 SEK/hour (hourly employee, average 166 hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Men 33 900 SEK/month, women 31 800 SEK/month (women earn 94% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Data on regional differences is not available for the current period

Education and Qualifications

To work as a Plastmaskinoperatör, a high school diploma with a focus on industry, technology, or similar fields is usually required. Many employers prefer candidates with practical experience in machine production or internal training within the company. Further education and certifications in machine handling or safety can be advantageous and improve recruitment chances.

  • High school education: Industrial technology program, 3 years
  • Certifications: Courses in machine safety and quality control
  • Practical training: On-the-job learning during education
  • Prerequisites: Basic mathematics and technical skills are recommended
  • Further education: Opportunities for internal training and specialized courses within the company

Many Plastmaskinoperatörer quickly gain responsibility for adjusting and optimizing production during material changes, requiring both technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. The role can thus serve as an entry point to more specialized technical services within the industry.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

For Plastmaskinoperatörer, common benefits include shift allowances, wellness contributions, bonuses linked to production targets, and sometimes subsidies for meals or further training opportunities at the workplace.

Competition and Challenges

The profession of Plastmaskinoperatör is characterized by a paradox: while there are great opportunities for employment nationwide, recruitment difficulties persist, and many leave the profession. Over the next five years, demand is expected to decline mainly due to increased automation and technological development in the plastics industry. Employers are raising requirements for technical understanding and the ability to handle advanced machinery. This means that operators who continually update their skills and stay informed about new technology will have better prospects to meet labor market changes. Flexibility and adaptability are thus increasingly important qualities in the profession.

Tips for Aspiring Plastmaskinoperatörs

To succeed as a Plastmaskinoperatör, it is beneficial to have a genuine interest in technology and industrial processes. Precision is crucial, as machines must be set up exactly to ensure high-quality production. Patience and problem-solving skills are helpful when machines need adjustment or unexpected faults occur. Being cooperative and able to communicate clearly with colleagues is valuable, especially during shift changes and teamwork. Gaining practical experience through internships or summer jobs in industry, and staying updated on new technology, can improve your chances. Initiative and willingness to learn new tasks are appreciated by employers, as is the ability to work systematically even under time pressure.

Key Facts about Plastmaskinoperatör

  • Salary range: 31,500–35,700 SEK/month
  • Average salary: 33 200 SEK/month
  • Educational requirement: High school diploma, industrial technology program
  • Work environment: Industrial setting, often shift work
  • Demand: Large opportunities today, decreasing over 5 years

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After 3–5 years as a Plastmaskinoperatör, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as supervisor, production technician, or quality manager within the industry. Some choose to further specialize in areas like maintenance technology or automation. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, job opportunities for machine operators in the plastics industry are currently plentiful, with over 1437 job openings. However, over five years, demand is expected to decline mainly due to technological progress and automation. Employers seek employees willing to develop and adapt to new production methods.

Frequently Asked Questions about Plastmaskinoperatör

  • What is the average salary of a Plastmaskinoperatör?
    - The average salary is 33 200 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, men earn on average 33 900 SEK, while women earn 31 800 SEK, meaning women earn 94% of men's salary.
  • What education is required to become a Plastmaskinoperatör?
    - High school education with a focus on industry or technology is most common, often combined with practical training.
  • How does automation affect the profession?
    - Automation leads to decreased demand for Plastmaskinoperatörer in the long term, but technical competence is increasingly important.
  • What benefits are common in the profession?
    - Common benefits include shift allowances, wellness contributions, bonuses, and opportunities for further education.
  • What is the job market outlook?
    - Currently, there are great opportunities, but demand is expected to decline within five years.
  • Are there career paths within the profession?
    - Yes, advancing to roles such as supervisor, production technician, or quality manager is common.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-11 09:21:29

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Plastic machine operator is 35700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 32200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Plastic machine operator is 31500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Regional sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 33500 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 97% 27500 kr 30400 kr
25-34 95% 30900 kr 33900 kr
35-44 95% 31400 kr 34000 kr
45-54 91% 31000 kr 33400 kr
55-64 91% 31400 kr 33600 kr
Snitt 94% 30600 kr 33200 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 Plastic machine operator has the SSYK code 8142, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

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* Updated with 2025 taxes

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