- Salary statistics
- Soda house operator
Soda house operator
41 600 - 45 100 kr / month
Women earn 96% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Soda house operator
What does a Sodahus operator do? – Tasks and work environment
A Sodahus operator works within the pulp and paper industry, monitoring and controlling the processes in the soda boiler, a central part of production where chemicals are recycled and transformed to enable efficient pulp manufacturing. Tasks include controlling process parameters, troubleshooting, maintaining equipment, and quality checks to ensure standards are met. The work often involves shift work and includes supervision via control systems and onsite interventions. The work environment can be noisy, hot, and sometimes dusty, requiring safety awareness and precision.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, the salary for Sodahus operators has developed steadily. In 2022, the average salary was 39600 SEK per month, increasing to 42 900 SEK in 2023 and further to 43 600 SEK in 2024. The total increase over the period amounts to approximately 10%, which is a significant improvement compared to many other industrial sectors. Key drivers for this development include continued demand for skilled process personnel, increased technical requirements, and the approaching retirement of many experienced operators. The salary increases also reflect the industry's need to attract and retain competent employees in a competitive labor market.
Sodahus operator salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 43 600 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 41,600 SEK/month (female, high school education)
- Highest salary: 45,100 SEK/month (male, private sector, post-secondary education)
- Hourly wage (average): 262 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn on average 42,300 SEK, men 43 900 SEK (96 %)
- Regional differences: Differences may occur, but no detailed statistics are available
Education and qualifications
To work as a Sodahus operator, a high school education in process, technical, or industrial technology is usually required, often supplemented with internal training or relevant vocational courses. Many employers also value practical experience from similar industrial environments and an interest in technology and processes. Some workplaces offer trainee programs or internships to facilitate entry into the profession.
- High school education: Industrial or process technical program (3 years)
- Post-secondary courses: YH (vocational higher education) programs and industry-specific certificates
- Internal training: Company-specific trainee programs and internships
- Prerequisites: Basic technical understanding and good physics skills
- Recommendation: Experience from industrial work is an advantage
Sodahus operators play a crucial role in the sustainability of the Swedish pulp industry, as their work with chemical recycling reduces both environmental impact and resource consumption. The role has evolved with increased digitalization, making technical interest and the ability to work with advanced control systems increasingly important.
Common benefits and compensations
Common benefits for Sodahus operators include shift allowances, overtime pay, wellness contributions, and opportunities for skill development through internal and external training. Several employers also provide pension contributions beyond statutory levels, as well as insurance and subsidized meals or work clothing.
Competition and challenges
The competition for Sodahus operator positions varies by region and economic cycle, but there is generally steady demand for qualified process industry personnel. Challenges include technological development, where tasks become more digital and complex. Another challenge is generational change, as many experienced operators approach retirement, creating opportunities for new applicants but also higher demands on education and technical skills. The working environment can sometimes be physically demanding and require high safety awareness.
Tips for aspiring Sodahus operators
To succeed as a Sodahus operator, it’s good to have a genuine technical interest and curiosity about how industrial processes work. Precision is vital, as small errors can have significant consequences, so double-checking work is crucial. Being resilient and able to work efficiently even under high pressure helps, especially during shift work and unforeseen events. A problem-solving mindset is valuable, as troubleshooting and fixing operational issues are part of daily routines. Good teamwork and communication skills with colleagues contribute to a safe and efficient work environment, where experience sharing and team spirit are often highlighted as success factors.
Key facts about Sodahus operators
- Education level: High school or post-secondary vocational training
- Work environment: Shift-based and industrial, sometimes noisy and hot
- Number of job openings: 1,437 within the process operator group, pulp industry
- Gender distribution: Women earn 96 % of men’s salaries
- Professional group: Process operators, pulp industry
Career paths and future outlook
After gaining some experience, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as production supervisor, operations technician, or specialized process engineer within the pulp and paper industry. Some also choose to further their education in automation or process technology to broaden their career options. The employment agency’s forecast does not provide an exact assessment for Sodahus operators due to limited data, but the industry group indicates a large number of vacancies, suggesting ongoing demand. Technological advancements and generational change within the industry point to good future prospects for those with the right skills and motivation to develop in their careers.
Frequently asked questions about Sodahus operators
- What does a Sodahus operator earn?
- A Sodahus operator has an average salary of 43 600 SEK per month. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 42,300 SEK while men earn 43 900 SEK. - What education is required to become a Sodahus operator?
- High school education in industry or process technology is most common, sometimes combined with post-secondary courses. - What is the work environment like for Sodahus operators?
- The work environment is industrial, often shift-based, and can be noisy and hot. - How many job openings are there in the profession?
- There are a total of 1437 job openings within the process operator group, pulp industry. - What are the future prospects?
- The outlook is uncertain, but demand is expected to remain stable thanks to technological development and retirements. - What is the highest and lowest salary for a Sodahus operator?
- The highest salary is 45,100 SEK (male, post-secondary education), and the lowest is 41,600 SEK (female, high school education).
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31700 kr | 38800 kr | |
| 25-34 | 35400 kr | 42500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 37300 kr | 44300 kr | |
| 45-54 | 37400 kr | 44500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36700 kr | 43900 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 36500 kr | 43600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31700 kr | 38800 kr | |
| 25-34 | 35400 kr | 42500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 37300 kr | 44300 kr | |
| 45-54 | 37400 kr | 44500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36700 kr | 43900 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 36500 kr | 43600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31700 kr | 38800 kr | |
| 25-34 | 35400 kr | 42500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 37300 kr | 44300 kr | |
| 45-54 | 37400 kr | 44500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36700 kr | 43900 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 36500 kr | 43600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 35700 kr | 42700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 37400 kr | 44500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 37600 kr | 44600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36800 kr | 44000 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 36700 kr | 43900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 35700 kr | 42700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 37400 kr | 44500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 37600 kr | 44600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36800 kr | 44000 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 36700 kr | 43900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 35700 kr | 42700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 37400 kr | 44500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 37600 kr | 44600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36800 kr | 44000 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 36700 kr | 43900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 96% | 35000 kr | 42300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 96% | 35000 kr | 42300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 96% | 35000 kr | 42300 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 Soda house operator has the SSYK code 8171, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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