How much does a Plastic goods workers make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Plastic goods workers
Image that illustrates Plastic goods workers

Plastic goods workers

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 goods workers

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

What does a plastic product operator do? – Tasks and work environment

Plastic product operators are responsible for manufacturing and processing plastic products by handling and monitoring machinery within the plastics industry. Tasks often include setting and adjusting machines, quality control, and packaging finished products. The work environment is characterized by industrial production, where safety and precision are important to prevent accidents and ensure product quality. Plastic product operators typically work in shifts within production facilities with varying temperatures and noise levels.

Salary development over time

The salary of plastic product operators has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,900 SEK per month, rising to 32 000 SEK in 2023 and further to 33 200 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 7.4 percent over the period, indicating positive salary development despite the industry being affected by automation. The increase can be explained by stable demand for skilled machine operators in the plastics industry and a slight labor shortage combined with inflation and general wage adjustments. Continuous skills development and adaptation to new machine technologies also contribute to salary improvements.

The plastics industry often requires patience and precision, as small errors in machine settings can affect entire production batches. A deep understanding of machine functions is an advantage for making quick adjustments and improving efficiency.

– statsskuld.se

Plastic product operator wages – complete overview

  • Average salary: 33 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,500 SEK (female, regional sector, vocational education)
  • Highest salary: 35,700 SEK (male, private sector, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Hourly wage: 200 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn on average 31 800 SEK, which is 94 % of men's 33 900 SEK
  • Regional differences: Salaries vary slightly depending on sector and location, with higher wages in the private sector and urban areas

Education and qualifications

The pathway to becoming a plastic product operator can be through vocational upper secondary programs focused on plastics and production, supplemented with practical training and workplace-based education. The technical nature of the profession requires a good understanding of machine handling and safety regulations.

  • Vocational upper secondary education: Focused on plastics and production, usually 2–3 years
  • Practical training/internship: Common to gain hands-on experience with machinery and production processes
  • Certifications/courses: Safety training and machine-specific certificates can be advantageous
  • Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of mathematics and technology facilitates entry
  • Tips for choosing: Select a program with strong industry links and opportunities for internships

Common benefits and compensations

Plastic product operators are often offered traditional benefits such as collectively negotiated pension and insurance solutions, holiday pay, and shift allowances. Many employers also provide wellness contributions and opportunities for skills development. Compensation for unsociable working hours is common, as shift work is often part of the job.

Competition and challenges

The profession of plastic product operator is characterized by a paradox where there is a relatively large supply of labor, yet many leave the profession, creating recruitment difficulties. Technological advances and automation are expected to reduce labor demand in the plastics industry in the long term, making adaptability and technical competence crucial for continued employability. Physically demanding tasks and the need for precision place high demands on individual workers.

Tips for those who want to become a plastic product operator

To succeed as a plastic product operator, it is beneficial to have a technical understanding and be meticulous in your work to ensure product quality and safety. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to shift work and changing conditions are important, requiring good stress tolerance. Problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn new machines and processes facilitate career development. Communication and teamwork skills are also valuable since the work often occurs in teams. Finally, a positive attitude toward continuous education and certification can strengthen your position in the job market.

Key facts about plastic product operators

  • Education level: Vocational upper secondary education, often with practical training
  • Salary range: 31,500–35,700 SEK/month
  • Work environment: Industrial manufacturing with shift work
  • Occupational group: Machine operators within the plastics industry
  • Demand: Good job prospects short-term but declining long-term due to automation

Career paths and future outlook

After 3–5 years in the profession, plastic product operators can advance to more specialized roles such as machine supervisor responsible for maintenance, quality control inspector, or production manager within the plastics industry. The labor market forecasts indicate that job opportunities are large nationally in the short term, but demand for machine operators is expected to decrease over five years due to technological development and automation. Despite this, there is still a need for qualified personnel, especially to handle complex machinery and ensure production quality. The profession thus requires ongoing skills development to meet future demands.

Frequently asked questions about plastic product operators

  • What is the average salary of a plastic product operator?
    - The average salary for a plastic product operator is approximately 33 200 SEK per month in 2024.
  • Are there significant differences between men's and women's wages?
    - Yes, women earn on average 94 % of men's wages within the profession.
  • What education is required to become a plastic product operator?
    - Vocational upper secondary education with a focus on plastics and production is common, often supplemented with practical training.
  • What are the future prospects for plastic product operators?
    - Job opportunities are good in the short term, but demand is expected to decrease over five years due to automation.
  • In what work environments do plastic product operators work?
    - They work in industrial production environments with machinery and often in shifts.
  • What benefits can plastic product operators expect?
    - Common benefits include shift and overtime allowances, pension and insurance solutions, and wellness contributions.
  • How does automation affect the profession?
    - Automation is expected to reduce demand for labor but increase the need for technical skills and machine knowledge.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-03 18:55:43

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Plastic goods workers 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 goods workers 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 goods workers has the SSYK code 8142, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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