- Salary statistics
- Process operator, steelworks
Process operator, steelworks
38 000 - 40 200 kr / month
Women earn 95% of what men do.
Installation & drift/underhåll
Salary progression Process operator, steelworks
What does a process operator, steelworks do? – tasks and work environment
A process operator within steelworks is responsible for monitoring and controlling production processes in metal manufacturing. The job involves checking machines and facilities to ensure production meets established quality and safety standards. The operator adjusts process parameters, performs troubleshooting, and reports deviations. The work environment is often industrial with noise and high temperatures, making safety regulations and protective equipment central to the role.
Salary development over time
The salary for process operators in steelworks has shown steady growth over recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,400 SEK per month, rising in 2023 to 37 700 SEK, which is approximately a 3.5% increase. In 2024, the salary continued to rise, reaching an average of 39 700 SEK, representing a further increase of nearly 5% compared to the previous year. This positive trend can partly be explained by increased demand for skilled workers in metal production and industry’s need to retain experienced employees. The salary development also reflects a general strengthening of process operators’ skill requirements and responsibilities in production.
Process operators in steelworks often need to be prepared to work shifts and handle rapid changes in production, requiring good stress tolerance and flexibility.
Process operator in steelworks 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 hours/month)
- Gender differences: Women earn 95% of men's salaries
- Regional differences: The highest salaries for men are found within the regional sector, while salary levels for women are more evenly distributed across sectors.
Education and qualifications
The educational path to become a process operator in steelworks often includes a technical high school education with a focus on industry or metal processing. The profession also requires practical experience and knowledge of safety and machinery handling. Certifications in occupational safety and process monitoring can be advantageous.
- Technical high school education: Usually 3 years with a focus on industry or process
- Certifications: Safety training and courses in operation and maintenance
- Internship: Often requires practical training or apprenticeship in metal industry
- Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of technology and machinery
- Tips for choosing: Select programs focusing on process industry and metal production for the best preparation
Common benefits and compensations
Process operators in steelworks are often offered benefits such as shift and overtime pay, collectively negotiated pension and insurance solutions, and wellness allowances. The job may also include opportunities for skills development and internal career advancement. Overtime and travel allowances are often provided depending on the workplace location.
Competition and challenges
The profession as a process operator in steelworks is characterized by a competitive job market where experience and technical skills are crucial for employment. Challenges include managing complex processes and ensuring quality during shift work. Additionally, industry digitalization and automation demand ongoing skills development to adapt to new technologies and working methods.
Tips for those who want to become a process operator in steelworks
To succeed as a process operator in steelworks, it is helpful to develop a careful and responsible approach to tasks. An interest in technology facilitates understanding of machine functions and process dynamics. Good communication skills are essential for effective collaboration with colleagues and reporting deviations. Flexibility is key, as the work often requires shift work and quick adjustments to changing production conditions. Finally, stress tolerance is valuable for handling periods of high pace and unforeseen problems.
Key facts about process operator, steelworks
- Education level: Technical high school education, often 3 years
- Salary range: 38,000–40,200 SEK/month
- Work environment: Industrial with safety and protective equipment requirements
- Gender differences: Women earn on average 95% of men's salaries
- Work form: Shift work is common
Career paths and future prospects
After a few years of experience, process operators in steelworks can advance to more specialized roles in operations management or technical support. Opportunities also exist to move into training or safety responsibilities within the industry. The employment agency's data shows that there are currently no clear assessments of the recruitment situation for the profession, but the general occupational group of process supervisors in metal production had about 481 job openings during the latest survey. This indicates steady demand, although specific forecasts are lacking due to limited data.
Frequently asked questions about process operator, steelworks
- What does a process operator, steelworks earn?
- The average salary is approximately 39 700 SEK per month, with variations between 38,000 and 40,200 SEK depending on experience and sector. - What education is required to become a process operator in steelworks?
- Usually, a technical high school education with a focus on industry or metal production and practical experience are required. - Are there gender differences in salary?
- Yes, women earn on average 95% of men's salaries in the profession. - What is the work environment like for a process operator in steelworks?
- The work environment is industrial with high safety standards, where shift work and noise are common. - What are the future prospects for the profession?
- There is steady demand within the process monitoring group in metal production, but specific forecasts are lacking. - How does automation affect the profession?
- Automation requires ongoing skills development to manage new technologies and processes. - What benefits can process operators expect?
- Common benefits include shift and overtime pay, collectively negotiated pensions and wellness allowances.
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, steelworks has the SSYK code 8193, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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