Image that illustrates Seam welder

Seam welder

35 200 kr

Machine setters and machine operators, metal work

31 400 - 36 100 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Seam welder

Average salary 35 200 kr
Males 35 400 kr
Females 34 100 kr

What does a Sömsvetsare do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Sömsvetsare primarily works with joining metals through welding, often using automated or semi-automated machines in industrial environments. Tasks include setting up and monitoring welding machines, inspecting welds for quality, and performing routine maintenance of equipment. The work environment is typically workshop-based and can be characterized by noise, heat, and demands for precision and safety. Shift work and working under time pressure are common, especially in larger industrial companies with high production rates.

Salary development over time

The profession of Sömsvetsare has shown stable and positive salary growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,000 SEK per month, increasing to 34 000 SEK in 2023 and further to 35 200 SEK in 2024. This increase corresponds to a total salary boost of approximately 6.7% over three years. A contributing factor to the salary increase is the high demand for skilled welders and machine operators within metalwork, coupled with a shortage of trained personnel in the industry. Despite forecasts of decreased demand in the long term, the market situation has so far favored salary development for the profession.

Sömsvetsare salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 35 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 36,100 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 212 SEK
  • Women's average salary: 34 100 SEK (96 % of men's salary)
  • Men's average salary: 35 400 SEK
  • Regional differences: May occur, mainly depending on demand in metropolitan regions and industrial towns

Education and qualifications

The path to working as a Sömsvetsare typically involves a high school education in industrial technology or equivalent adult education. In addition to formal education, practical training or internships are often required to develop the technical skills needed for the profession. Certifications in welding are often advantageous and sometimes mandatory, especially in specialized industries.

  • High school education: Industrial technology program, welding specialization (3 years)
  • Adult education/Vocational college: Welding training, varying length
  • Certifications: Welding test/certificate according to SS-EN ISO standards
  • Practical training: Often a requirement for on-the-job learning (OJL)
  • Prerequisites: Passed Swedish, mathematics, and technology in compulsory school
  • Tips: Choose training with lots of practical experience for better employment prospects

Many Sömsvetsare develop a unique sense for materials and precision, which often leads them to work with custom-made components in industries such as automotive or aerospace. Technological development also makes digital skills and machine programming increasingly important in the role.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

For Sömsvetsare, it is common to be offered benefits such as overtime pay for evening and night shifts, wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes bonuses for high work pace or quality work. Other common compensations include extra vacation, insurance, and sometimes contributions to further education or certification.

Competition and challenges

The job market for Sömsvetsare is currently characterized by a certain shortage of trained personnel, providing good opportunities for employment in the short term. However, forecasts indicate that demand for the profession may decrease within five years, mainly due to technological development and increased automation in industry. This could lead to increased competition for jobs, especially for those lacking specialized skills or certifications. Another challenge is that the work environment is often physically demanding and requires high accuracy and safety standards, which can lead to wear and risk of work-related injuries. To meet future demands, continuous training and adaptability to new technology are increasingly important.

Tips for those who want to become Sömsvetsare

To succeed as a Sömsvetsare, it is beneficial to develop both technical interest and precision, as the profession requires accuracy in every task. Good problem-solving skills help when unexpected challenges arise in production, and flexibility is important to handle different machines and materials. Demonstrating responsibility and following safety routines are crucial, as the work environment often involves potential risks. Social skills and teamwork are valuable in a profession where work is often performed in teams and under pressure. To increase chances of employment, it is recommended to pursue internships and certifications, and stay updated on new welding and automation technologies.

Key facts about Sömsvetsare

  • Average salary: 35 200 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school diploma or adult education with certification
  • Work environment: Workshop/industry, often shift work
  • Demand: Great opportunities currently, but forecasted decline over five years
  • Special skills: Certified welding competence and machine programming are advantageous

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession as a Sömsvetsare, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as supervisor, production technician, or specialized welder within, for example, aerospace or automotive industries. Some choose to further their education in automation or machine programming to meet the industry's increasing digital requirements. The Employment Service's forecast shows high current demand for machine operators and welders in metalwork, but this is expected to decrease over five years due to technological development and automation. Despite this, there remains a significant need for qualified personnel, especially in specialized fields. Currently, there are 1437 job openings in the profession, reflecting a high recruitment need in the short term.

Frequently asked questions about Sömsvetsare

  • What does a Sömsvetsare earn?
    - A Sömsvetsare has an average salary of 35 200 SEK per month, with a range between 31,400 SEK and 36,100 SEK.
  • How does the salary differ between men and women?
    - Women earn an average of 34 100 SEK, which is 96 % of men's average salary of 35 400 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a Sömsvetsare?
    - A high school education in industrial technology or equivalent adult education, along with often certification in welding.
  • What is the job market like for Sömsvetsare?
    - Good employment opportunities today, but demand is forecasted to decrease within five years due to automation.
  • What tasks does a Sömsvetsare perform?
    - Setting up and monitoring welding machines, quality inspecting welds, and maintaining equipment.
  • What is the hourly wage for a Sömsvetsare?
    - The average hourly wage is 212 SEK.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Yes, higher salaries are often found in metropolitan regions and industrial towns with high demand for welding skills.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Seam welder is 36100 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 34500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Seam welder is 31400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 31800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 100% 30700 kr 32600 kr
25-34 98% 33400 kr 35300 kr
35-44 95% 33500 kr 35200 kr
45-54 97% 34300 kr 35900 kr
55-64 94% 34300 kr 35800 kr
65-68 33300 kr 34400 kr
Snitt 96% 33500 kr 35200 kr
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 Seam welder has the SSYK code 7223, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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