Image that illustrates Cleaning machine attendant

Cleaning machine attendant

30 400 kr

Other machine operators, textile, leather and leather industry

29 400 - 32 200 kr / month

Women earn 95% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Cleaning machine attendant

Average salary 30 400 kr
Males 31 200 kr
Females 29 700 kr

What does a cleaning machine operator do? – Tasks and work environment

A cleaning machine operator works with monitoring and operating machines used for cleaning, sorting, and processing textile material, leather, or skins in industrial production. Tasks often include starting, stopping, and adjusting machines, as well as checking the quality of the processed material. Regular maintenance and minor repairs are also part of the job. The work environment is typically industrial, with noise and demands for precision and safety. Work often occurs in shifts, and heavy lifting and teamwork with other machine operators may be required.

Wage development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for a cleaning machine operator has developed positively. In 2022, the average salary was 27,700 SEK per month, increasing to 29 600 SEK in 2023 and finally reaching 30 400 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total increase of approximately 9.8 % over the period, which is slightly higher than many other industrial occupations. The salary growth can be linked to increased demand for skilled machine operators, technological advancements, and a limited supply of experienced candidates. Despite this, some gender and employment form salary differences remain, with men generally earning slightly more than women in the profession.

Cleaning machine operator salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 30 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 29,400 SEK/month (female, private sector, high school education 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 32,200 SEK/month (male, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
  • Hourly wage: 183 SEK/hour (average, hourly employment)
  • Gender differences: Men earn 31 200 SEK, women 29 700 SEK (women earn 95 % of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Highest salaries are found in the regional sector, but detailed regional differences are lacking

Education and qualifications

To work as a cleaning machine operator, a high school education in industry, technology, or textiles is usually required. Many employers prefer candidates with experience in machine handling or production, but on-the-job training is common for new hires. Practical skills, technical interest, and good physical condition are important qualities for success.

  • High school education: Industry, technology, or textile programs (2–3 years)
  • On-the-job training: Common upon employment
  • Certifications: Not mandatory but advantageous with courses in machine safety
  • Internship: Internships or trainee positions provide valuable experience
  • Prerequisites: Technical interest and ability to work carefully

Many cleaning machine operators quickly develop a broad machine proficiency, which can open doors to other roles within production and maintenance. It is common for experienced operators to take responsibility for quality control or training new colleagues.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

For cleaning machine operators, benefits such as shift allowances for night work, wellness contributions, work clothing, and sometimes extra pay for working unsociable hours are typical. Some employers also offer training and skill development, as well as bonuses for good performance or high productivity.

Competition and challenges

The job market for cleaning machine operators is relatively stable, but the availability of jobs can vary depending on economic conditions and region. A major challenge is that technological development requires continuous skill updating and adaptation to new machines and processes. The work environment can be physically demanding, requiring good health and safety awareness. Salary differences between genders and employment types are also challenges for the industry. Increased automation may impact the need for traditional cleaning machine operators in the future, but experience and specialized skills will continue to be valued.

Tips for those who want to become a cleaning machine operator

To succeed as a cleaning machine operator, it helps to have an interest in technology and curiosity about how machines work, as this facilitates learning and troubleshooting. Precision is important in monitoring machines and quality checks, so develop routines and pay attention to details. Good teamwork skills are necessary since work often occurs in teams, making communication and responsibility natural parts of daily work. Flexibility is an advantage, as shift work and varying tasks may occur. Being proactive and independent makes it easier to handle unexpected situations and make own decisions. Finally, good physical health is beneficial, as the job can sometimes be physically demanding and require endurance.

Key facts about cleaning machine operators

  • Education level: High school education in industry or technology
  • Work environment: Industrial, often shift work and physically demanding
  • Employment type: Employment in production teams, both permanent and hourly employment available
  • Demand: 1,437 job openings within the occupational group (2024)
  • Gender distribution: Men earn slightly higher salaries than women (95 %)

Career paths and future outlook

After a few years of experience as a cleaning machine operator, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as machine supervisor, team leader, or quality inspector within production. Some choose to further their education in maintenance technology or specialize in specific machine types. The employment agency's forecast for the occupation is uncertain due to limited data, but the availability of job openings is good with 1,437 advertised positions in textile, leather, and fur industries. The industry is influenced by economic conditions and technological development, which can bring both new opportunities and challenges ahead.

Frequently asked questions about cleaning machine operators

  • What does a cleaning machine operator earn?
    - The average salary for a cleaning machine operator is 30 400 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, gender, and sector.
  • How do gender differences in salary look?
    - Men earn on average 31 200 SEK, while women earn 29 700 SEK, which means women have 95 % of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a cleaning machine operator?
    - High school education in industry, technology, or textiles is recommended, often with on-the-job training at the workplace.
  • Are there many job openings for cleaning machine operators?
    - Yes, there are 1,437 job openings within the occupational group of machine operators in the textile, leather, and fur industries.
  • What are the job responsibilities of a cleaning machine operator?
    - Mainly to operate, monitor, and maintain machines used for cleaning and sorting textile materials, as well as inspecting product quality.
  • What do future prospects look like?
    - The outlook is uncertain due to limited data, but demand for experienced operators is considered stable.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Cleaning machine attendant is 32200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 30300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Cleaning machine attendant is 29400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 31000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 25600 kr 27300 kr
25-34 94% 27400 kr 29500 kr
35-44 95% 28700 kr 29900 kr
45-54 92% 29400 kr 31200 kr
55-64 94% 29900 kr 31300 kr
Snitt 95% 28800 kr 30400 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 Cleaning machine attendant has the SSYK code 8159, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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