How much does a Sawmill worker make

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  2. Sawmill worker
Image that illustrates Sawmill worker

Sawmill worker

36 800 kr

Operators in sawmills, planing mills and plywood etc.

35 400 - 37 400 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Sawmill worker

Average salary 36 800 kr
Males 37 000 kr
Females 35 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 3 Vacant jobs ->

What does a sawmill worker do? – Tasks and work environment

A sawmill worker primarily handles timber products at various stages of processing at sawmills and planing mills. Tasks include monitoring and controlling machines such as saws, planers, and sorting equipment. It also involves checking product quality, performing basic maintenance on machines, and ensuring the workplace is safe and efficient. The work environment is often noisy and physical, with a mix of manual work and machine handling. Protective equipment and a clear safety mindset are a natural part of daily routines.

Salary development over time

Sawmill workers have seen a clear increase in wages over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,600 SEK per month, rising to 35 000 SEK in 2023 and reaching 36 800 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 9.5% during the period. The wage growth reflects both general industry wage trends and a somewhat increased demand for experienced operators in wood processing. Factors such as technological development, higher quality and efficiency requirements, and difficulties in recruiting staff in certain regions have contributed to this development. Despite these improvements, differences between genders and regional variations still exist.

Sawmill worker salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 35,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 37,400 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 221 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Men 37 000 SEK, women 35,400 SEK (96% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Small variations, highest salaries mainly in regional sectors

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a sawmill worker often involves completing the industrial or wood technology programs in high school, but there are also opportunities to learn the profession on-site. Practical experience and technical understanding are central qualifications, and some employers may require specific machine certificates. To increase employment chances, being flexible and having an interest in technology and production is advantageous.

  • High school education: Industrial or wood technology program (3 years)
  • Certifications: Machine operator licenses or internal training
  • Internships: Often through high school or as a trainee at the workplace
  • Prerequisites: Technical interest and good physical condition
  • Tips for choosing: Workplace visits and summer jobs provide valuable insight

Many sawmill workers gain broad technical understanding early on, as tasks often switch between machine monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting. This experience can be a strong asset for future career paths within the industry.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Sawmill workers are often covered by collective agreements that provide occupational pensions, insurance, and overtime pay. Shorter working hours and wellness contributions are common, and some employers also offer work clothing and subsidized meals. Extra compensation may apply during shift work.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a sawmill worker is characterized by some competition, but there is also a shortage of labor in certain regions. Challenges often relate to the physical nature of the work, monotonous tasks, and the need to follow strict safety routines. Automation and technological development are changing the work content and demanding higher machine knowledge. For those who are flexible and willing to further educate themselves, good job opportunities exist. The labor market is also influenced by economic cycles and demand for timber products.

Tips for those who want to become a sawmill worker

To succeed as a sawmill worker, it is good to be meticulous and attentive to details, as the work requires quickly detecting faults or deviations in production. A strong work ethic and reliability are highly valued, especially when it comes to following safety routines and working shifts. Technical interest makes it easier to handle and understand modern machines, increasing chances for employment and advancement. Physical endurance is also important, as the work often involves heavy lifts and long shifts. Flexibility and the ability to collaborate with colleagues contribute to a good work environment and increased job satisfaction. It is wise to seek internships or summer jobs at sawmills to gain insight into the profession and build valuable contacts. Keeping up-to-date with new techniques and machines also provides an advantage in the job market.

Key facts about sawmill workers

  • Education level: Most commonly high school vocational training
  • Work environment: Physical, machine-intensive, and noisy
  • Typical work arrangement: Shift work and permanent employment
  • Demand: 1,437 job openings in the profession
  • Special skills: Machine operation and maintenance

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience as a sawmill worker, opportunities exist to advance to roles such as machine operator, supervisor, or maintenance technician within the wood industry. Some choose to further their education in production technology or quality assurance to move into more specialized roles. The employment forecasts from the Employment Service are cautious, due to limited data, but the large number of job openings indicates stable demand. Automation and modernization may impose new technical requirements but also open doors for development and specialization in the field.

Frequently asked questions about sawmill workers

  • What does a sawmill worker earn?
    - The average salary is 36 800 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 221 SEK.
  • Are there differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn 96% of men's salaries (35,400 SEK compared to 37 000 SEK).
  • What education is required to become a sawmill worker?
    - The industrial or wood technology programs in high school are recommended, but it is also possible to learn on the job.
  • What is the work environment like?
    - The environment is noisy and physical, with lots of machine operation and strict safety routines.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - Currently, there are 1437 job openings in the profession, and demand is stable.
  • What career paths are available after a few years in the profession?
    - Advancement to machine operator, supervisor, or further education within the industry is possible.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Occupational pension, insurance, overtime pay, and wellness contributions are common.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 10:56:52

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Sawmill worker is 37400 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 36700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Sawmill worker is 35400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 36600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 31000 kr 36300 kr
25-34 95% 32300 kr 36900 kr
35-44 96% 32400 kr 36400 kr
45-54 93% 32700 kr 37000 kr
55-64 97% 32900 kr 37200 kr
Snitt 96% 32400 kr 36800 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 Sawmill worker has the SSYK code 8173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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