- Salary statistics
- Pulper attendant, paper industry
Pulper attendant, paper industry
37 600 - 42 200 kr / month
Women earn 94% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Pulper attendant, paper industry
What does a pulper operator do in the paper industry? – Tasks and work environment
A pulper operator in the paper industry is responsible for operating and monitoring the pulping process, where raw materials such as wood chips or recycled paper are converted into pulp. Tasks include adjusting machine settings, checking pulp quality, and ensuring production runs efficiently and safely. The work environment is often industrial with noise and dust, requiring protective gear and attention to safety. Pulper operators typically work in shifts, which may include evenings, nights, and weekends.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, pulper operators in the paper industry have experienced steady salary growth. In 2022, the average salary was 38,400 SEK per month, increasing to 40 200 SEK in 2023 and further to 41 000 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 6.8 percent over three years, indicating a positive trend in demand and labor market conditions. The salary increase can partly be explained by the industry's need for skilled personnel and increased awareness of the value of competence in production. Meanwhile, inflation and overall wage development in the industrial sector have contributed to higher salary levels for pulper operators.
Pulper operators often need good technical understanding and problem-solving skills because they must quickly resolve operational disruptions to avoid production stoppages.
Pulper operator salaries in the paper industry – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 41 000 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 37,600 SEK/month (female)
- Highest salary: 42,200 SEK/month (male)
- Hourly wage: 246 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
- Gender differences: Women earn 94% of men's salaries
- Regional differences: Highest salaries are found in regional sectors, with lower wages spread across various sectors
Education and qualifications
The educational path for pulper operators in the paper industry is often high school with a focus on industrial programs or equivalent technical training. Practical experience in industrial environments is valuable and often a requirement. Industry-specific courses and certifications in process and machine operation can further strengthen competence.
- High school education: Industrial programs or equivalent (1–3 years)
- Certifications/courses: Safety, machine operation, and maintenance
- Internship/trainee: Common in industry to gain practical experience
- Prerequisites: Basic technical understanding and safety awareness
- Tips for choosing: Select education with a focus on process technology and industrial production
Common benefits and compensations
Pulper operators in the paper industry are often offered collective agreement benefits such as overtime pay, holiday pay, pension contributions, and wellness allowances. Some workplaces also provide wellness benefits and insurance solutions.
Competition and challenges
The profession of pulper operator is specialized, with moderate competition, but requires good technical skills and precision. Challenges include managing shift work and physically demanding environments. Technological development within the industry also demands continuous skills development to keep pace with automation and digitalization. Safety is central, requiring discipline and responsibility.
Tips for those who want to become a pulper operator in the paper industry
To succeed as a pulper operator in the paper industry, it is beneficial to be technically interested and have strong problem-solving skills. Attention to detail is important, as small deviations can affect the entire production. A practical and responsible attitude facilitates handling machines and safety routines. Being flexible and adaptable, especially considering shift work and production changes, is also advantageous. Finally, good teamwork and communication skills are valuable since the work is often team-based and involves interaction with colleagues and technicians.
Key facts about pulper operators in the paper industry
- Education level: High school with industrial focus
- Salary range: 37,600–42,200 SEK/month
- Work environment: Industrial with shift work and protective equipment
- Occupational group: Process operators, paper
- Hourly wage: Approximately 246 SEK for full-time work
Career paths and future prospects
After 3–5 years as a pulper operator, there are opportunities to advance to more specialized roles in process monitoring or maintenance, as well as leadership positions such as shift supervisor or production manager. Some choose to further their education in technical or industrial fields to broaden their skills. According to forecasts from the Employment Service, there are about 1,437 job openings for process operators in the paper industry, but due to limited data, no specific assessment of recruitment for pulper operators. The profession is expected to have stable demand within the industry sector.
Frequently asked questions about pulper operators in the paper industry
- What does a pulper operator earn in the paper industry?
- The average salary is approximately 41 000 SEK per month with an hourly wage of about 246 SEK. - What education is required to become a pulper operator?
- High school education with a focus on industrial programs or equivalent technical training is common. - Are there gender differences in salary?
- Yes, women earn on average 94% of men's salaries in the profession. - What work environments do pulper operators work in?
- Typically in industrial environments with noise and dust, requiring protective gear. - What are the future prospects for pulper operators?
- Projections show stable demand but no specific assessment due to limited data. - What benefits are often offered in the profession?
- Common benefits include overtime pay, holiday pay, pension contributions, and wellness allowances. - Can one advance within the profession?
- Yes, opportunities for specialization and leadership exist after gaining experience.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 29600 kr | 37000 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 32100 kr | 40300 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 33400 kr | 41500 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 34000 kr | 42100 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 33800 kr | 41600 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 33000 kr | 41000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 29600 kr | 37000 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 32100 kr | 40300 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 33400 kr | 41500 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 34000 kr | 42100 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 33800 kr | 41600 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 33000 kr | 41000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 29600 kr | 37000 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 32100 kr | 40300 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 33400 kr | 41500 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 34000 kr | 42100 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 33800 kr | 41600 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 33000 kr | 41000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 29700 kr | 37400 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 32200 kr | 40500 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 33500 kr | 41500 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 34400 kr | 42700 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 34200 kr | 42200 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 33400 kr | 41500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 29700 kr | 37400 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 32200 kr | 40500 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 33500 kr | 41500 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 34400 kr | 42700 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 34200 kr | 42200 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 33400 kr | 41500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 29700 kr | 37400 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 32200 kr | 40500 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 33500 kr | 41500 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 34400 kr | 42700 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 34200 kr | 42200 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 33400 kr | 41500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 29400 kr | 36100 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 32000 kr | 39700 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 33200 kr | 41600 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 32200 kr | 39200 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 31400 kr | 38200 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 31700 kr | 39100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 29400 kr | 36100 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 32000 kr | 39700 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 33200 kr | 41600 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 32200 kr | 39200 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 31400 kr | 38200 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 31700 kr | 39100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 97% | 29400 kr | 36100 kr |
| 25-34 | 98% | 32000 kr | 39700 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 33200 kr | 41600 kr |
| 45-54 | 92% | 32200 kr | 39200 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 31400 kr | 38200 kr |
| Snitt | 94% | 31700 kr | 39100 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 Pulper attendant, paper industry has the SSYK code 8172, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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