How much does a Forestry workers make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Forestry workers
Image that illustrates Forestry workers

Forestry workers

31 800 kr

Forestry workers

31 500 - 38 100 kr / month

Women earn 105% of what men do.

Naturbruk

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Forestry workers

Average salary 31 800 kr
Males 31 700 kr
Females 33 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 11 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Forest Worker do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A forest worker is responsible for carrying out practical tasks within forestry, such as planting, clearing, thinning, and harvesting. The work often involves handling machinery and tools, such as chainsaws and brush cutters, as well as manual work with planting and forest care. The work environment is characterized by outdoor work in varying weather conditions, demanding both physical endurance and safety consciousness. Forest workers often work in small teams, but there are also instances of solitary work in certain tasks.

Salary development over time

The salary for forest workers has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 29,600 SEK per month, which increased to 30 200 SEK in 2023. The latest update for 2024 indicates that the average salary is now 31 800 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 7.4% over the three-year period. The salary trend is linked to continued high demand for labor in forestry, as well as increased qualification and safety requirements. Women have experienced slightly higher salary growth than men during this period, reducing gender gaps within the profession. Overall, the salary trend reflects both labor market needs and the increased efforts to meet modern environmental standards in forestry.

Forest Worker Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 31 800 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 31,500 SEK/month (men), 32,400 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 38,100 SEK/month (men), 34,900 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 191 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 105% of what men do (men: 31 700 SEK, women: 33 400 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Varies, generally higher wages in northern Sweden where demand is greater

Education and Qualifications

To work as a forest worker, no formal university education is usually required, but high school education in natural resource management with a focus on forestry is common. Practical skills, safety training, and machinery experience are important, and employers often view experience from similar tasks positively. Opportunities for further training and certifications are available, and many employers also offer internal training programs.

  • High school education: Natural resource management with a focus on forestry (3 years)
  • Certifications: Chainsaw license, brush cutter license
  • Internships: Often part of the educational program
  • Prerequisites: Good physical condition and interest in outdoor work
  • Further training: Courses in machinery operation and work environment safety

Interestingly, working as a forest worker often involves early mornings and long days, but also offers a unique closeness to nature and seasonal changes. Many describe the freedom and variation in the work environment as one of the greatest advantages of the profession. Additionally, the work provides an opportunity to contribute to sustainable forestry and the preservation of Swedish forest environments.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Typical benefits for forest workers include per diems when working away from home, work clothing and protective equipment, as well as wellness allowances. Extra compensation for unsociable hours and overtime may be provided, and some employers offer opportunities for skill development and training in work environment and safety.

Competition and Challenges

The job market for forest workers is considered good, with many available positions and demand expected to remain unchanged in the next five years. However, the profession faces a paradoxical situation where many leave the job, making it difficult for employers to find experienced candidates. Major challenges include physically demanding work, weather-dependent conditions, and the need for continuous training to meet new environmental standards and technological developments. Competition for jobs is generally low but varies regionally depending on the extent of the forestry industry and seasonal project fluctuations.

Tips for Aspiring Forest Workers

To succeed as a forest worker, it is important to have a strong willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions and to be resilient, as workdays are often long and physically demanding. Precision and safety awareness are crucial, as handling machinery and tools requires great responsibility. Being flexible and solution-oriented helps when tasks and conditions change rapidly. Good teamwork skills are also an asset, especially when working in groups, while the ability to work independently is appreciated by many employers. Taking initiatives for further training, such as chainsaw handling or work environment safety, can open up more career opportunities. Good communication skills help when following instructions and maintaining safety. Finally, a genuine interest in nature and sustainable forestry contributes to both job satisfaction and long-term well-being.

Key Facts about Forest Workers

  • Average salary: 31 800 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 31,500–38,100 SEK/month
  • Gender difference: Women earn 105% of men's salary
  • Education level: High school diploma, certifications often required
  • Work environment: Outdoors, physically demanding, varying weather
  • Demand: Great opportunities for employment, 360 job openings

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years in the profession, a forest worker can advance to more specialized roles such as machinery operator, supervisor, or instructor within forestry. Some choose to further their education to become forest technicians or start their own forestry services. Forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service indicate that the labor market for forest workers nationwide is very good, with many opportunities for employment and demand expected to remain stable over the next five years. Many leave the profession, which creates good opportunities for new entrants. The industry's move towards increased mechanization and sustainability also opens doors for more qualified roles and career advancement for those willing to deepen their knowledge.

Common Questions about Forest Workers

  • What does a Forest Worker earn?
    - The average salary for a forest worker is 31 800 SEK per month.
  • What is the salary range for forest workers?
    - The lowest salary is 31,500 SEK and the highest salary is 38,100 SEK per month.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 105% of what men do.
  • What education is required to become a forest worker?
    - High school education in natural resource management is common, often with machinery certifications.
  • What is the job market like for forest workers?
    - Opportunities for employment are plentiful, and demand is expected to stay steady in the coming years.
  • What tasks does a forest worker perform?
    - Planting, thinning, clearing, harvesting, and machinery maintenance.
  • What personal qualities are important in this profession?
    - Physical endurance, accuracy, safety consciousness, and interest in nature.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-05 07:04:46

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Forestry workers is 38100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 34900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Forestry workers is 31500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 32400 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 30100 kr 31100 kr
35-44 31900 kr 32500 kr
45-54 31500 kr 32300 kr
55-64 31900 kr 32900 kr
Snitt 105% 30900 kr 31800 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

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 Forestry workers has the SSYK code 6210, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Public Opinion

    Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    National Debt

    The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes

Explore more topics