- Salary statistics
- Sawmill, sawmill salary
Sawmill, sawmill salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
36 700 - 39 200 SEK / month
Women earn 95% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
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Salary progression Sawmill, sawmill
What does a sawmill master do in a sawmill? – Tasks and work environment
A sawmill master is responsible for leading and supervising the production of timber products, with a particular focus on ensuring quality and efficiency in the sawing process. Tasks often include planning production, optimizing machine operation, personnel management, and quality control. The work is often carried out in close cooperation with operators and technical staff to quickly address any operational disruptions. The work environment is typically industrial and can involve noise and physically demanding tasks, but modern sawmills often provide improved safety routines and technical equipment that facilitate daily work.
Salary development over time
Sawmill masters have experienced steady salary increases in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,600 SEK per month, rising to 36 800 SEK in 2023 and further to 38 300 SEK in 2024. This represents a total salary increase of approximately 9.5 % over three years, with a particularly clear rise between 2023 and 2024. The salary trend can be linked to increasing demand for skilled labor in the timber industry and the requirements for technical competence and leadership skills. Industry investments in automation and new technology have also contributed to higher skill requirements and positively impacted salaries.
Sawmill master salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 38 300 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 35,400 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 37,400 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 221 SEK
- Gender pay gap: Women earn 95 % of what men do (men: 38 600 SEK, women: 35,400 SEK)
- Regional differences: Highest wages are found in the regional sector for men (37,400 SEK), women reach up to 36,700 SEK
Education and qualifications
To work as a sawmill master, a high school education in wood technology, industry, or similar is usually required, complemented with experience from production or leadership in an industrial environment. Many employers view further education in production technology or management positively, and practical experience is often crucial for taking on the role of sawmill master.
- High school education: Specialization in wood technology or industry, typically 3 years
- Further training: Courses in production technology or management
- Internship/experience: Several years of experience from sawmills or the timber industry
- Certifications: Certificates in work environment and machinery safety are advantageous
- Prerequisites: Basic technical understanding and leadership skills
In today's sawmills, digitalization and automation have significantly changed the role of the sawmill master. Now, both technical knowledge and the ability to interpret production data are required, making the profession exciting for those who want to combine traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.
Common benefits and compensations
Sawmill masters are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness contributions, and insurance. It is also common with overtime premiums for work during inconvenient hours, as well as opportunities for skills development through internal and external training. Some employers additionally offer bonuses linked to production or safety performance.
Competition and challenges
The profession of sawmill master in sawmills is characterized by competition for the most qualified positions, especially in larger and technologically advanced facilities. Challenges often include staying updated on new technology and leading personnel in an environment with high safety requirements. The industry is also affected by economic fluctuations and raw material availability, which can impact workload and job security. There is also a continuous need for skills development to meet increasing demands for efficiency and sustainability in production.
Tips for aspiring sawmill masters
To succeed as a sawmill master, it is good to combine technical curiosity with a strong sense of responsibility. A meticulous personality facilitates supervising production and ensuring quality, while good teamwork skills are crucial for leading the team effectively. Being flexible and quickly adapting to new technical solutions provides advantages as the industry evolves. Continuous learning and interest in further training are recommended, as new machines and digital tools are rapidly introduced. The ability to handle stress and make decisions under pressure are also important qualities. Additionally, an open attitude toward improvement work and innovation in the team is appreciated. Finally, a genuine interest in wood and industrial manufacturing is beneficial.
Key facts about sawmill masters
- Salary range: 35,400–37,400 SEK/month
- Education level: High school education in wood technology, often supplemented with further training
- Work environment: Industrial, often noisy and technically advanced
- Job openings: 1,437 within the profession
- Gender pay gap: Women earn 95 % of men's salaries
Career paths and future outlook
After three to five years as a sawmill master, opportunities include advancing to production manager, site supervisor, or specialized roles within process development and quality assurance. The experience gained in a sawmill environment provides a solid foundation for leadership roles or technical support within the timber industry. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, it is difficult to give an exact assessment of future prospects for sawmill masters, as the profession is part of a broader category with no specific forecast. However, there are a large number of job openings within the profession, indicating continued demand. Skills in digitalization, automation, and sustainability are expected to become increasingly important for future career opportunities.
Frequently asked questions about sawmill masters
- What is the average salary of a sawmill master?
- A sawmill master has an average salary of 38 300 SEK per month. - What education is required to become a sawmill master?
- High school education in wood technology or industry is most common, often supplemented with further training and experience. - What is the working environment like for a sawmill master?
- The working environment is industrial and technically advanced, with elements of noise and physical work but also modern safety routines. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn approximately 95 % of men's salaries within the profession. - What are the future prospects for a sawmill master?
- There are many job openings within the profession, but no exact forecast as the occupation is part of a broader category. - What career paths are available after a few years in the profession?
- Common paths include production manager, site supervisor, or specialized roles within process development. - What is the highest and lowest salary for a sawmill master?
- The highest salary is 37,400 SEK/month (male, regional sector), lowest 35,400 SEK/month (female, unspecified sector).
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32000 kr | 36600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33700 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33900 kr | 38100 kr |
| 45-54 | 34400 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34800 kr | 39000 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 33900 kr | 38300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32000 kr | 36600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33700 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33900 kr | 38100 kr |
| 45-54 | 34400 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34800 kr | 39000 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 33900 kr | 38300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32000 kr | 36600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33700 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33900 kr | 38100 kr |
| 45-54 | 34400 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34800 kr | 39000 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 33900 kr | 38300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32200 kr | 37000 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33800 kr | 38600 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 34100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 45-54 | 34500 kr | 38900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34900 kr | 39200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34100 kr | 38600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32200 kr | 37000 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33800 kr | 38600 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 34100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 45-54 | 34500 kr | 38900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34900 kr | 39200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34100 kr | 38600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 32200 kr | 37000 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33800 kr | 38600 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 34100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 45-54 | 34500 kr | 38900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34900 kr | 39200 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 34100 kr | 38600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 31000 kr | 35600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33100 kr | 37300 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33300 kr | 36600 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 32900 kr | 36800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 31000 kr | 35600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33100 kr | 37300 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33300 kr | 36600 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 32900 kr | 36800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 96% | 31000 kr | 35600 kr |
| 25-34 | 97% | 33100 kr | 37300 kr |
| 35-44 | 95% | 33300 kr | 36600 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 32900 kr | 36800 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 Sawmill, sawmill has the SSYK code 8173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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