Image that illustrates Process operator, radioactive waste

Process operator, radioactive waste

40 800 kr

Other operations technicians and process supervisors

37 800 - 45 700 kr / month

Women earn 99% of what men do.

Installation & drift/underhåll

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Process operator, radioactive waste

Average salary 40 800 kr
Males 40 900 kr
Females 40 400 kr

What does a process operator, radioactive waste, do? – Tasks and work environment

A process operator specializing in radioactive waste is responsible for monitoring and controlling processes that handle and treat radioactive waste. The tasks include checking plant functions, ensuring that processes follow strict safety regulations, and managing technical systems to minimize risks to both the environment and personnel. The work environment is characterized by high safety and precision requirements, often in environments with limited access and special protective measures.

Salary development over time

Process operators' salaries in the radioactive waste field have shown a stable and positive development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 35,700 SEK per month, which increased to 39 200 SEK in 2023. Over the past year, to 2024, the salary has continued to rise to an average of 40,800 SEK, representing a total increase of approximately 14 percent from 2022 to 2024. This salary increase can partly be explained by increased demand for specialized competence in handling radioactive waste and general wage adjustments within the industry sector. The technical complexity and safety requirements of the profession also contribute to pushing up salary levels over time.

Process operators in radioactive waste often work in teams where communication and accuracy are crucial to prevent serious incidents. The profession therefore requires both technical skill and the ability to collaborate under pressure.

– statsskuld.se

Process operator, radioactive waste salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 40,800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 37,800 SEK/month (male with pre-high school education)
  • Highest salary: 45,700 SEK/month (male, privately employed manager with ≥3 years postgraduate education)
  • Hourly wage: 245 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn on average 40,400 SEK, which is 99 % of men's salary at 40 900 SEK
  • Regional differences: Information is limited but salary levels may vary slightly depending on the plant’s geographic location and labor market conditions

Education and qualifications

The typical educational path for process operators in radioactive waste includes technical high school education or equivalent, often supplemented with postgraduate education in technology or environment. Safety training and specific certifications for working with radioactive materials are common and often mandatory.

  • Technical high school: Electrical and energy programs, science programs, or similar
  • Post-secondary education: Vocational higher education within process or environmental technology, often 1–3 years
  • Certifications: Safety training for work with radioactive materials
  • Internship/trainee: Practical experience via workplace-based training or apprenticeship
  • Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of physics and chemistry and technical understanding

Common benefits and compensations

Process operators in radioactive waste are often offered benefits such as collective pension schemes, health insurance, and holiday pay. The work may involve shift work, which is often compensated with shift allowances. Additional compensations may occur for work under specially classified safety conditions or overtime.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a process operator in radioactive waste is specialized and requires specific competence, which limits the number of qualified applicants. At the same time, safety requirements are very high, demanding precision and responsibility. A challenge is to stay updated with changes in legislation and technology within the nuclear and waste sectors. Competition may be moderate, but employers often prioritize experience and certifications. The work can also involve psychological stress related to handling hazardous substances.

Tips for those who want to become a process operator in radioactive waste

To succeed as a process operator specializing in radioactive waste, it is good to have a strong technical understanding and interest in safety issues. Precision is a crucial trait since the work requires constant monitoring of processes and equipment to avoid risks. It is also important to be stress-resistant, as the work can sometimes involve quick decisions under pressure. Developing good communication skills facilitates collaboration with colleagues and safety officers. Finally, a willingness to continuously learn and adapt to new technology and regulations is a success factor in this industry.

Key facts about process operator, radioactive waste

  • Average salary: 40,800 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school technical education with postgraduate certifications
  • Work environment: Safety-classified, controlled environment with high protective requirements
  • Work form: Shift work is common
  • Demand: Limited but stable within the nuclear and waste sectors

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years in the profession, process operators in radioactive waste can advance to specialist roles with responsibility for larger processes or safety functions. There are also opportunities to move into supervisory positions or technical expert services within operations and maintenance. The Employment Service’s forecasts indicate that recruitment for the group of other operational technicians and process supervisors is difficult to assess due to limited data, but with 481 job openings in the field, there is some demand. Technological development and increased environmental requirements may create new opportunities in the future.

Frequently asked questions about process operator, radioactive waste

  • What does a process operator, radioactive waste, earn?
    - The average salary is approximately 40,800 SEK per month with an hourly wage around 245 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a process operator in radioactive waste?
    - Typically, a technical high school education and postgraduate courses or certifications in process and safety engineering are required.
  • Are there gender differences in salaries for process operators?
    - Yes, women earn on average 99 percent of men's salaries in the profession.
  • Is shift work common in the profession?
    - Yes, shift work is common to ensure continuous operation and monitoring.
  • What are the future prospects for process operators in radioactive waste?
    - The recruitment situation is difficult to assess, but the profession is part of a group with stable demand and opportunities for specialization.
  • What personal qualities are important in the profession?
    - Accuracy, stress tolerance, and good communication skills are central qualities.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Process operator, radioactive waste is 45700 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 40800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Process operator, radioactive waste is 37800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 40400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 106% 33600 kr 39800 kr
25-34 96% 35800 kr 39900 kr
35-44 38100 kr 41600 kr
45-54 37900 kr 41700 kr
55-64 37700 kr 41200 kr
Snitt 99% 36800 kr 40800 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 Process operator, radioactive waste has the SSYK code 8199, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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