How much does a Forest transport driver make

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  2. Forest transport driver
Image that illustrates Forest transport driver

Forest transport driver

33 600 kr

Truck drivers etc.

28 900 - 35 500 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Transport

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Forest transport driver

Average salary 33 600 kr
Males 33 700 kr
Females 32 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 198 Vacant jobs ->

What does a forest transport driver do? – Tasks and work environment

A forest transport driver is responsible for transporting timber and other forest products from harvesting sites to sawmills, terminals, or industries. The work requires driving heavy vehicles, often on forest roads with varying surfaces and challenging terrain. Besides driving, loading and unloading goods, sometimes with cranes or other machinery, are included. The work environment is mainly outdoors, where weather and seasons can affect safety and conditions. The profession demands high precision, safety awareness, and the ability to work independently during long shifts.

Salary development over time

Salaries for forest transport drivers have steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,200 SEK, followed by an increase to 32 500 SEK in 2023, and further to 33 600 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of about 7.7% over three years, slightly above the average salary growth in the transport sector. The rise can be linked to increased demand for forestry transportation and a general shortage of qualified drivers. Inflation and adjustments in collective agreements have also played a role. The trend shows continued stability, but future increases may be influenced by economic conditions and technological development in logistics.

Forest transport driver salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 33 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 28,900 SEK/month (female, public sector)
  • Highest salary: 35,500 SEK/month (male, various sectors)
  • Hourly wage (average): 202 SEK
  • Gender difference: Women earn 98% of what men do (women 32 900 SEK, men 33 700 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salary levels can vary depending on the region, but larger differences are mainly seen between employers and sectors rather than between regions.

Education and qualifications

To work as a forest transport driver, the main requirements are the appropriate driving license, usually C or CE, and a professional competence certificate. The education path often involves completing a transport program in secondary school or equivalent adult education. Practical experience from heavy traffic in forest environments is highly meritorious. Employers prefer drivers with good knowledge of forest machinery and safe load handling.

  • Secondary education: Transport program (3 years)
  • Driving license: C or CE required
  • YKB: Professional competence certificate for freight transport
  • Practical training: Common during education or as traineeship
  • Courses in load securing and machinery handling: Meritorious

A unique aspect of the forest transport profession is the close interaction with nature and the forest, which means each workday can present new challenges depending on weather, terrain, and season. It requires both technical skill and great adaptability—qualities not always visible in education but crucial in practice.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

As a forest transport driver, benefits often include per diems for longer trips, shift differentials for work outside regular hours, and overtime compensation. Many employers also offer wellness allowances, work clothing, and regular health checks. Pension contributions according to collective agreements are standard, along with insurance coverage for work-related accidents.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a forest transport driver is generally moderate, but several challenges exist. There is a real shortage of qualified drivers, while unemployment within the profession is high. This creates a paradoxical situation where some employers struggle to find the right skills, while some drivers find it difficult to secure employment. Physically demanding work, long shifts, and sometimes irregular hours place high demands on health and endurance. Regulations regarding driving and rest times, as well as environmental standards for vehicles, increase the complexity of the profession.

Tips for aspiring forest transport drivers

To succeed as a forest transport driver, it’s good to combine technical skills with a strong safety mindset. Early obtaining of the correct driving license and professional competence certificate increases the chances of quickly entering the profession. Precision during loading and documentation is important, and the ability to work independently during long shifts is crucial for job satisfaction. Good physical condition facilitates work in tough terrain, while flexibility and problem-solving skills help manage unexpected situations in the forest. Finally, teamwork skills are valued, as contact with colleagues and customers is often an important part of the workday.

Key facts about forest transport drivers

  • Average salary: 33 600 SEK/month
  • Gender difference: Women earn 98% of men's salary
  • Education level: Secondary education + CE/YKB license
  • Work environment: Outdoors, varying terrain and weather
  • Available jobs: 412 positions within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After gaining some experience as a forest transport driver, there are opportunities to take on greater responsibility, such as transport manager, supervisor, or instructor for new drivers. For those wishing to broaden their skills, further education in machinery operation or logistics planning is a natural step. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast for the profession of truck drivers, job prospects remain strong, and demand is expected to stay steady over the next five years. Recruitment difficulties are reported, indicating good opportunities for newly trained and experienced drivers. Digitalization and new environmental requirements may, in the long run, change the nature of the work and create new career paths within the industry.

Frequently asked questions about forest transport drivers

  • What does a forest transport driver earn?
    - The average salary is 33 600 SEK/month, with an hourly wage of 202 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a forest transport driver?
    - Secondary education in transport plus a C or CE license and YKB are required.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn approximately 98% of men's salary (32 900 SEK compared to 33 700 SEK).
  • What is the job market outlook?
    - The job market is considered good with 412 available positions and continued high demand.
  • What are common benefits?
    - Per diems, shift differentials, overtime pay, wellness allowances, and collective pension schemes are common.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries?
    - The highest salary is 35,500 SEK (male), and the lowest is 28,900 SEK (female, public sector).
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Accuracy, responsibility, independence, and good physical condition are key qualities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 01:42:10

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Forest transport driver is 35500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 33000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Forest transport driver is 28900 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Government sector. 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 98% 31300 kr 33000 kr
25-34 99% 31800 kr 33600 kr
35-44 95% 32300 kr 34000 kr
45-54 32200 kr 33800 kr
55-64 32200 kr 33800 kr
65-68 29700 kr 31200 kr
Snitt 98% 31900 kr 33600 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 Forest transport driver has the SSYK code 8332, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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