- Salary statistics
- Leather processor
Leather processor
33 200 - 33 300 kr / month
Hantverksyrken
Salary progression Leather processor
What does a tanner do? – Tasks and work environment
A tanner works with processing raw animal hides into usable materials such as leather and skins for clothing, shoes, furniture, or crafts. Job duties include cleaning, tanning, dyeing, surface treatment of leather, and quality checks throughout the process. The profession requires great precision, understanding of chemical processes, and sometimes manual craftsmanship in the processing. The work is often performed in small workshops or industrial facilities where both machine and manual handling occurs, and the work environment can be humid, odorous, and require protective equipment when handling chemicals.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, salary development for tanners has been steadily positive. In 2022, the average salary was 28,600 SEK per month, increasing to 29 300 SEK in 2023. The most significant increase occurred between 2023 and 2024, when the average salary rose to 33 300 SEK, representing a roughly 13.6% increase in one year. This trend can partly be explained by an increased need for specialized skills and a certain shortage of experienced craftsmen in the profession. The market demand for genuine leather products has also contributed to a higher valuation of the role, especially as sustainability and quality have gained greater focus among consumers. The salary increase also reflects a general trend within craft professions where experience and technical skill are rewarded.
Tanner salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 33 300 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data not specified
- Hourly wage: 200 SEK/hour (based on 166 hours/month)
- Gender differences: Men earn 33 100 SEK/month; no specific statistics for women
- Regional differences: No information available on regional variations
Education and qualifications
The path to becoming a tanner often involves practical training in crafts or industrial production, sometimes with a focus on leather and textile handling. It is common to acquire skills through apprenticeships, vocational schools, or directly at the workplace. Formal education is not always required, but basic knowledge of chemical processes and material science is advantageous, as is experience with manual work and machinery operation.
- Vocational training: Apprenticeship or craft programs (2–3 years)
- Internships: Periods of internship at companies within leather or textile industries
- Courses: Specialized courses in tanning and material treatment
- Prerequisites: Basic chemistry and material science recommended
- Certifications: Meritorious but rarely mandatory
It is not uncommon for experienced tanners to develop a special sense for different animal hides and to assess quality and suitable treatment at first glance – a skill often gained only after many years of practical experience.
Common benefits and compensations
Tanners often have access to benefits such as work clothing, protective equipment, and sometimes wellness allowances. Opportunities for skill development and training in new materials or techniques are also available, along with compensation for inconvenient working hours during shift work. Other benefits may include employee discounts on products and sometimes bonus or loyalty programs depending on the employer.
Competition and challenges
The competition within the profession of tanners is relatively low, but challenges mainly include a limited job market and fluctuating demand for handcrafted tanned leather depending on trends and economic conditions. Digitalization and automation in the industry have changed work processes and require ongoing skills development. Environmental challenges related to chemical handling and sustainable production also pose demands on work environment and product development. Finding the right workplace and establishing oneself as a specialist can take time, especially for newly trained individuals without industry experience.
Tips for those who want to become a tanner
To succeed as a tanner, it is good to combine patience with a genuine interest in materials and craftsmanship. Precision is crucial, especially during quality checks and chemical handling, so early practice in methodical work and attention to detail is advisable. Practical skills and manual dexterity develop best through internships or work in a workshop, providing insight into the profession’s daily life. Curiosity and willingness to learn new techniques and materials are advantageous, as is the ability to collaborate in teams where safety routines and work environment are prioritized. Interest in sustainability and environmental awareness is also valuable, as the industry moves toward more eco-friendly processes. Finally, good physical endurance is important, as the work can be both heavy and repetitive.
Key facts about Tanners
- Educational level: Vocational training or apprenticeship path
- Work environment: Industrial workshop or craft setting, often with chemicals
- Typical employment: Full-time, sometimes shift work
- Demand: Limited but stable, 341 job openings within the profession
- Special skills: Tanning, material assessment, and chemical handling
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a tanner can develop into more specialized roles, such as responsible for quality control, supervisor, or product developer within the leather industry. There are also opportunities to start your own business in leather crafts or work with more advanced techniques and exclusive materials. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that, due to limited data, no specific outlook is provided for the future of tanners, but demand within the profession is considered stable with 341 reported job openings. Those investing in further education in sustainable production and new materials can strengthen their position in the labor market.
Frequently asked questions about Tanners
- What does a tanner earn?
- A tanner has an average salary of 33 300 SEK per month. - How to become a tanner?
- The most common route is via vocational training, an apprenticeship, or internships within the leather and textile industries. - What are the job responsibilities of a tanner?
- Job duties include cleaning, tanning, dyeing, and quality control of leather. - Are there regional salary differences?
- No available data on regional differences for this profession. - What are the future prospects?
- Demand within the profession is stable, but no specific forecast exists for tanners. - What personal qualities are important?
- Attention to detail, patience, manual dexterity, and interest in materials are key qualities. - Is it a physically demanding job?
- Yes, the work can be heavy and repetitive, especially when handling larger hides and machinery.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 33200 kr | 33300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 33200 kr | 33300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 33200 kr | 33300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 33100 kr | 33100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 33100 kr | 33100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 33100 kr | 33100 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 Leather processor has the SSYK code 7534, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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