Image that illustrates Plywood worker

Plywood worker

36 800 kr

Operators in sawmills, planing mills and plywood etc.

35 400 - 37 400 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Plywood worker

Average salary 36 800 kr
Males 37 000 kr
Females 35 400 kr

What does a plywood worker do? – Tasks and work environment

Plywood workers are specialized operators within sawmills, planing mills, and plywood manufacturing. Their tasks include operating machines for the production and processing of plywood, inspecting material quality, and ensuring that manufacturing processes follow established standards. The work environment is often characterized by high noise levels and requires carefulness and safety awareness to prevent accidents. The work is usually carried out in industrial premises with machinery that demands technical understanding and physical endurance.

Wage development over time

Over the past three years, the salary of plywood workers has shown steady and positive growth. In 2022, the average salary was 33,600 SEK per month, which increased to 35 000 SEK in 2023 and further to 36 800 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total wage increase of approximately 9.5% over the period, indicating stable demand for the profession's skills. The salary increase can be explained by a combination of a shortage of qualified labor in the sawmill and plywood industries, as well as an increased focus on industrial production capacity. Technological development and the need for efficient machine operation have also contributed to raising the profession's status and salary levels.

Plywood workers often combine technical skills with practical craftsmanship, making the profession unique within the industrial sector.

– statsskuld.se

Plywood worker salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 35,400 SEK (female)
  • Highest salary: 37,400 SEK (male)
  • Hourly wage: 221 SEK (hourly, based on 166 hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn on average 96% of men's salaries
  • Regional differences: Highest salaries are in regional sectors with upper secondary education, while the lowest salaries are found in various sectors with unspecified education

Education and qualifications

The educational path to becoming a plywood worker is usually a vocational upper secondary education focused on wood and industrial processes. The profession often requires vocational training at sawmills or in the wood industry, along with practical experience in machinery production. Certifications in machine safety and work environment safety can be advantageous.

  • Vocational upper secondary education: Focus on wood and industry, 2–3 years
  • Certifications: Machine safety and work environment safety
  • Practical training: Apprenticeships or internships at sawmills are common
  • Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of wood processing and machine handling
  • Tips: Practical experience combined with technical education increases employability

Common benefits and compensations

Plywood workers are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, health insurance, and holiday pay. Other common benefits include overtime compensation for evening and weekend work, as well as travel allowances when commuting is necessary. Some employers also offer wellness grants and opportunities for further training within the profession.

Competition and challenges

The profession of plywood worker is characterized by relatively stable demand but can be affected by economic fluctuations within the wood industry. Challenges include the requirement for technical competence combined with physical workload, as well as the need to stay updated with new machinery and production methods. Competition can be fierce in certain regions, especially where there is good access to trained labor. Maintaining a safe work environment and safety standards is also central, requiring ongoing training and vigilance.

Tips for aspiring plywood workers

To succeed as a plywood worker, it is good to develop both technical understanding and practical skills. Precision is an important trait that helps ensure production quality and avoid errors. Good physical condition and endurance facilitate work with machinery and material handling. Being solution-oriented helps quickly address unforeseen problems in production. Finally, curiosity and willingness to learn new techniques and machines increase career development opportunities within the industry.

Key facts about plywood workers

  • Education level: Vocational upper secondary education in wood and industry
  • Salary range: 35,400–37,400 SEK/month
  • Work environment: Industrial with machinery
  • Hourly wage: 221 SEK (hourly)
  • Demand: Stable with 1,437 job openings in the occupational group sawmill and plywood operators

Career paths and future prospects

Plywood workers have opportunities to advance to machine operators specializing in production technology or to supervisory roles after several years of experience. Some may also pursue further education as technicians or inspectors within the wood industry. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service data, there are no specific assessments for the profession of plywood worker, but it belongs to a job group with stable demand and approximately 1,437 job openings. The future outlook is considered relatively good, especially for those with relevant education and experience in industrial manufacturing.

Frequently asked questions about plywood workers

  • What does a plywood worker earn?
    - The average salary is approximately 36 800 SEK per month with an hourly wage of 221 SEK for hourly employees.
  • What education is required to become a plywood worker?
    - Vocational upper secondary education focused on wood and industrial processes is most common.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn on average 96% of men's salaries within the profession.
  • What is the work environment like for plywood workers?
    - It is industrial, with machinery and requires attention to safety and precision.
  • What are the future prospects in the profession?
    - The profession has stable demand and good opportunities for advancement within the industry.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Accuracy, technical understanding, and physical endurance are important qualities.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Yes, the highest salaries are in regional sectors with upper secondary education, while the lowest are in various sectors.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Plywood worker is 37400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 36700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Plywood worker is 35400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 36600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 31000 kr 36300 kr
25-34 95% 32300 kr 36900 kr
35-44 96% 32400 kr 36400 kr
45-54 93% 32700 kr 37000 kr
55-64 97% 32900 kr 37200 kr
Snitt 96% 32400 kr 36800 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 Plywood worker has the SSYK code 8173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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