How much does a Process supervisor, refinery make

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  2. Process supervisor, refinery
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Process supervisor, refinery

40 500 kr

Process supervisors, chemical industry

37 500 - 42 200 kr / month

Women earn 92% of what men do.

Installation & drift/underhåll

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Process supervisor, refinery

Average salary 40 500 kr
Males 41 100 kr
Females 37 700 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 9 Vacant jobs ->

What does a process operator, refinery do? – tasks and work environment

A process operator within a refinery is responsible for monitoring and controlling the technical processes in an oil or chemical refining plant. Tasks include continuously following production parameters, adjusting settings to ensure optimal operation and quality, and quickly identifying and correcting deviations to avoid operational disruptions. The environment is often industrial with shift work, where safety and accuracy are crucial to maintaining a safe and efficient production.

Wage development over time

The salary for a process operator in a refinery has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 37,500 SEK per month, then increased to 39 900 SEK in 2023 and further to 40 500 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total increase of about 8 percent during the period, indicating a positive salary trend that can be linked to increased demand for skilled labor in the chemical industry and refineries. The salary increase also reflects the industry's focus on skill development and safety requirements, where experience and education are often rewarded. A stable market and the need to retain specialists drive wages upward.

Process operators in refineries often work in teams where collaboration and communication are essential to avoid shutdowns and ensure the quality of production.

– statsskuld.se

Process operator, refinery salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 40 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 37,500 SEK/month (female, private sector employee, post-secondary education shorter than 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 42,200 SEK/month (male, private sector employee, post-secondary education 3 years or more)
  • Hourly wage: 243 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn on average 37 700 SEK, which is 92 % of men's average salary 41 100 SEK
  • Regional differences: Data is lacking, but salary levels may vary depending on the plant's location and labor market

Education and qualifications

To work as a process operator in a refinery, a technical education in chemistry, process, or industrial engineering at post-secondary level is usually required. Practical experience in an industrial environment is often advantageous, and certifications in safety and process control can further enhance competence.

  • Technical high school or vocational college in process or chemical engineering
  • Post-secondary education, often 2–3 years
  • Certifications in process monitoring and safety
  • Internship or trainee programs in industrial operation
  • Prerequisites: basic chemistry and technology
  • Continuous skills development and self-study

Common benefits and compensations

Process operators in refineries are often offered benefits such as shift allowances, pensions, and wellness contributions. Many employers also provide collective agreement-insured insurances and training support. The work may include overtime pay and bonuses for special efforts or goal-related results.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a process operator in a refinery is characterized by relatively stable demand, but competition can be fierce for the most attractive positions. Challenges include the requirement for constant attention and the ability to handle unexpected operational disruptions quickly. Additionally, the work environment demands high safety standards and physical endurance. Staying updated with technological changes and regulations is also central to success.

Tips for those who want to become a process operator, refinery

To succeed as a process operator in a refinery, it is good to have a technical interest and a careful work style. Developing problem-solving skills to handle process deviations quickly is important. Good communication skills facilitate collaboration with colleagues and safety officers. Being stress-resistant is an asset, as the work often requires quick decisions under pressure. Finally, it is recommended to continuously improve technical competence through education and certifications to stay relevant in the job market.

Key facts about process operator, refinery

  • Education level: Post-secondary technical education (2–3 years)
  • Salary range: 37,500–42,200 SEK/month
  • Work environment: Industrial environment with shift work
  • Gender salary gap: Women earn 92 % of men's salary
  • Work form: Stationary process monitoring with high safety focus

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years as a process operator in a refinery, there are opportunities to advance to specialist roles in process optimization or operations management. Some may also move on to project management within industrial production or safety responsibilities. The labor market forecasts show that there are 481 job openings in the broader profession of process operators in the chemical industry, but due to limited data, no precise assessment of recruitment in refineries is made. Overall, the industry is expected to continue demanding technically skilled personnel as automation and environmental regulations increase.

Common questions about process operator, refinery

  • What does a process operator, refinery earn?
    - The average salary is approximately 40 500 SEK per month, with variations between 37,500 and 42,200 SEK depending on experience and education.
  • What education is required to become a process operator in a refinery?
    - A post-secondary technical education in process or chemical engineering lasting 2–3 years is common.
  • Are there gender differences in salary?
    - Yes, women earn on average 92 percent of men's salaries in the profession.
  • Does a process operator work in shifts?
    - Yes, shift work is common to ensure continuous process monitoring.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Accuracy, stress tolerance, and good communication skills are central qualities.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - There is a stable number of job openings within the profession, but an exact assessment is lacking due to limited data.
  • What is the hourly wage for a process operator, refinery?
    - The hourly wage averages around 243 SEK.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-07 19:39:35

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Process supervisor, refinery is 42200 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 38600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Process supervisor, refinery is 37500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 39300 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 102% 30700 kr 36000 kr
25-34 92% 33200 kr 39500 kr
35-44 90% 34500 kr 40700 kr
45-54 92% 35600 kr 41900 kr
55-64 91% 35900 kr 42300 kr
Snitt 92% 34300 kr 40500 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 Process supervisor, refinery has the SSYK code 8192, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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