- Salary statistics
- Process operator, precious metal works
Process operator, precious metal works
38 000 - 40 200 kr / month
Women earn 95% of what men do.
Installation & drift/underhåll
Salary progression Process operator, precious metal works
What does a process operator at precious metals smelter do? – Tasks and work environment
A process operator at a precious metals smelter is responsible for monitoring and controlling production processes where precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum are produced and refined. Tasks include following production parameters, handling machinery and equipment, and ensuring quality and environmental standards are met. The process operator often works in shifts and in an industrial environment where accuracy and safety are central.
Salary development over time
The salary of a process operator has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,400 SEK per month, increasing to 37 700 SEK in 2023 and further to 39 700 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of nearly 9% during the period. The positive salary trend can be linked to increased demand for skilled workers in metal production and the industry’s need for operators with technical skills and experience. Also, general inflation and market conditions have contributed to salary adjustments.
Process operators in precious metals smelting often need to have a strong ability to quickly analyze and respond to changes in the production process, making the profession both technically challenging and stimulating.
Process operator in precious metals smelter salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 39 700 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 38,000 SEK (female)
- Highest salary: 40,200 SEK (male)
- Hourly wage: 239 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
- Gender differences: Women earn approximately 95 % of men's salaries
- Regional differences: Not specified in available data
Education and qualifications
The educational path for process operators in precious metals smelting often includes a technical upper secondary education with a focus on metal or process industry. The technical nature of the profession requires good knowledge of process monitoring and safety, and many employers value practical experience from the industry.
- Technical upper secondary education: Usually 2–3 years with focus on metals or process industry
- Certifications: Safety training and industry-specific courses
- Internship/trainee: Often common to gain practical experience
- Prerequisites: Basic technical knowledge and understanding of processes
- Tips for choosing: Select programs with practical training and focus on process and safety work
Common benefits and compensations
Process operators in precious metals smelting are often offered collectively negotiated benefits such as occupational pension, holiday pay, and shift allowances. Shift work can provide extra compensation in the form of shift premiums. In some cases, skills development and training may also be funded by the employer.
Competition and challenges
The profession as a process operator in precious metals smelting is characterized by relatively stable demand but with some competition from related industries. Challenges include the need to continuously update technical knowledge and adapt to new production methods. The work environment can be demanding, considering shift work and the requirement for precision under high pressure.
Tips for aspiring process operators in precious metals smelting
To succeed as a process operator in precious metals smelting, it is good to have a technically interested and meticulous attitude. Being resilient to stress is important since tasks often require quick problem-solving and shift work. Good communication skills facilitate teamwork and ensure effective dissemination of information about process changes. A practical and solution-oriented mindset, combined with a willingness to learn new technical systems, is also crucial for thriving and developing in the profession.
Key facts about process operator in precious metals smelting
- Education level: Technical upper secondary education, often 2–3 years
- Salary range: 38,000–40,200 SEK/month
- Work environment: Industrial environment with shift work
- Gender differences: Women earn approximately 95 % of men's salaries
- Work form: Shift work focusing on process monitoring
Career paths and future prospects
After several years of experience, process operators in precious metals smelting can advance to roles such as shift supervisor, technical specialist, or production supervisor within metal manufacturing. Data from the Employment Service shows that the profession is part of a broader occupational group with a stable recruitment situation, but without specific forecasts due to limited data. However, there are approximately 481 job openings in process monitoring in metal production, indicating a demand for labor in the area.
Common questions about process operator in precious metals smelting
- What does a process operator in precious metals smelting earn?
- The average salary is approximately 39 700 SEK per month, with variations between 38,000 and 40,200 SEK depending on experience and region. - What education is required to become a process operator?
- Usually, a technical upper secondary education with a focus on process or metal industry, preferably with practical training. - Are there gender differences in salary?
- Yes, women earn on average about 95 % of men's salaries within the profession. - What is the work environment like?
- Work often takes place in an industrial environment with shift work, requiring accuracy and safety awareness. - Are there future prospects for the profession?
- The profession is considered to have stable demand, but due to limited data, no specific forecasts are available. - What benefits can be expected?
- Collectively negotiated benefits such as pension, holiday pay, and shift allowances are common.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31700 kr | 36900 kr | |
| 25-34 | 33400 kr | 38600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 34900 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34700 kr | 39900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35500 kr | 41100 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34200 kr | 39700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31700 kr | 36900 kr | |
| 25-34 | 33400 kr | 38600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 34900 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34700 kr | 39900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35500 kr | 41100 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34200 kr | 39700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31700 kr | 36900 kr | |
| 25-34 | 33400 kr | 38600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 34900 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34700 kr | 39900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35500 kr | 41100 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34200 kr | 39700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31800 kr | 36900 kr | |
| 25-34 | 33600 kr | 39000 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35100 kr | 41200 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34600 kr | 39900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35600 kr | 41200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34300 kr | 39900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31800 kr | 36900 kr | |
| 25-34 | 33600 kr | 39000 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35100 kr | 41200 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34600 kr | 39900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35600 kr | 41200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34300 kr | 39900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31800 kr | 36900 kr | |
| 25-34 | 33600 kr | 39000 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35100 kr | 41200 kr | |
| 45-54 | 34600 kr | 39900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 35600 kr | 41200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34300 kr | 39900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 33400 kr | 38000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 33400 kr | 38000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 95% | 33400 kr | 38000 kr |
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 Process operator, precious metal works has the SSYK code 8193, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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